His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council, has called on African leaders to intensify collective action and strengthen unity in advancing Africa’s long-standing demand for meaningful reform of the United Nations Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
President Bio made the call during the Meeting of the C-10 Heads of State and Government, convened on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa. He described the current moment as decisive, noting that it marks twenty years since the adoption of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration Africa’s unified framework for Security Council reform.
Reaffirming Africa’s unwavering position, President Bio stressed that the continent demands no fewer than two permanent seats with full prerogatives, including the veto, as well as five non-permanent seats on the Security Council. He observed that the Council’s current structure remains unrepresentative and continues to perpetuate historical injustice against Africa, despite the continent’s central role in the Council’s agenda.
Highlighting progress made over the past year, President Bio referenced the C-10 Retreat hosted by Sierra Leone in Freetown in April 2025, which produced the Freetown Outcome Documents. These documents include the African Reform Model, a Strategic Roadmap, and an Aide-Mémoire designed to guide coordinated advocacy efforts. He also noted the 13th C-10 Ministerial Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, which endorsed these outcomes, as well as subsequent high-level engagements that have strengthened Africa’s negotiating position.
President Bio emphasized that Africa must now transition from general advocacy to text-based negotiations within the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process. He cautioned that any fragmentation or acceptance of diluted reform proposals would weaken the continent’s position. Unity, he stressed, remains Africa’s greatest strength. He further called for predictable financial and logistical support from the African Union system to sustain the work of the C-10.
Concluding his remarks, President Bio underscored that Africa is not seeking reform as a favour, but as a matter of justice, equity, and legitimacy. He reaffirmed his commitment, in his capacity as C-10 Coordinator, to advancing the Common African Position with resolve, strategic discipline, and a unified voice. He urged African leaders to agree on clear next steps to maintain momentum toward a more inclusive, representative, and credible system of global governance.