President William Ruto has warned that the United Nations must urgently reform or risk becoming irrelevant in a rapidly shifting world.
Speaking in an interview with France 24 on Friday, the Kenyan leader argued that while the UN has served humanity for more than eight decades, its structures no longer reflect today’s realities.
“Unless this organisation is reformed, its own survival is at stake,” he said. “The question is not if, but when. And that when is now.”
Mr Ruto outlined several areas he believes are essential to change. He cited outdated decision-making processes, limited representation, and institutional frameworks that, in his view, no longer meet the demands of today’s geopolitical and economic landscape.
The president tied his remarks to long-standing calls from African nations for a greater voice within the UN system, particularly the Security Council. For years, the African Union has pressed for at least two permanent seats with full voting rights, as well as two additional non-permanent positions.
“Africa deserves two permanent seats with full rights, including the veto,” Mr Ruto told the UN General Assembly in New York earlier this week. “Excluding an entire continent is not only unacceptable, unfair and grossly unjust. It also undermines the very credibility of the United Nations.”
African nations argue that the current structure is a relic of a post-war order that sidelines the continent, despite its large population, growing economic weight, and significant contribution to global peacekeeping.
Mr Ruto linked the UN debate to wider calls for reform of international financial institutions. He said outdated systems continue to disadvantage developing countries, leaving them vulnerable in times of crisis. “These are no longer abstract issues,” he noted. “They are pressing realities confronting both developed and developing nations.”
His comments echoed a rising consensus among leaders at this year’s UN summit, where reform has dominated conversations. “The debate of today is different from that of several years back,” he said. “It is clear that global leaders are united in one thing: reform of the UN and its structures.”
For many African leaders, the push for change has become more urgent as global crises — from climate shocks to debt burdens — disproportionately hit poorer nations. Whether the calls will translate into structural reform remains uncertain. But, as Mr Ruto made clear, the pressure on the United Nations is no longer distant or theoretical.
“It is an imperative now,” he said.
About the Author
