Senegal will seek a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2032-2033 term. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced this on Thursday, 24th September, at the General Assembly, following an appeal for reform of the body responsible for international peace and security.
According to the Senegalese president, the current composition of the Council no longer reflects “the reality of our time”. Acknowledging that any expansion should not hinder its decision-making, he urged member states to move beyond mere statements of principle. “We must no longer remain in a state of observation. We must be in a state of urgency, in a state of action,” he declared. He framed this request within the common African position supported by the Ezulwini consensus, which notably calls for a permanent representation of the continent.
In the same speech, Faye advocated for the maintenance of a multilateral framework, despite the financial difficulties faced by the UN, the limitations of its peace operations, and the delays in achieving sustainable development goals. He argued that these weaknesses justify a reform of the organisation, without abandoning common mechanisms for dialogue and conflict resolution. “We will not resolve crises by further fragmenting the multilateral system,” he stated.
The head of state expressed Senegal’s support for the UN80 initiative, which aims to make the organization more effective. He called for less bureaucratic operations, better control of expenditures, and closer coordination between the headquarters and field teams. He also reminded that this transformation depends on states fulfilling their financial contributions.
Regarding development financing, Faye urged for improved access for countries to the resources promised in the Seville Commitment and the Pact for the Future. He also advocated for artificial intelligence governed by principles of ethics, responsibility, and inclusion, presenting Senegal’s first satellite as a sign of the country’s technological ambition.
Finally, the president reiterated his support for Macky Sall’s candidacy for the position of Secretary-General at the UN. He called on other member states to support his predecessor, whom he described as a leader capable of engaging in dialogue with all countries.
Benin TV