US to support permanent UNSC seats for Africa and small island states

The United States will today announce that it supports Africa’s quest for two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and one seat to be rotated among Small Island Developing States.

This development was first reported by Reuters and later confirmed by SABC News.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield will make the announcement at a discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York later today.

The move is reportedly part of Washington’s efforts to repair ties with the African region where many countries have been opposed to US support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and to deepen relations with Pacific Island nations in an effort to counter China’s influence in the region.

UN member states have been engaged in a years-long process on UN reform that has moved at a snail’s space, frustrating many developing states seeking change.

Washington also supports permanent seats for India, Japan and Germany on the Council.

In a move likely to irritate Africa, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield told Reuters that the United States did not support expanding the veto power beyond the five states that currently have that privilege.