Macron backs African-led solutions as UN, AU, EU leaders meet in Addis Ababa to push UNSC reform

Context Addis Ababa hosts the African Union headquarters and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, making it a natural hub for continental diplomacy. The city also houses numerous regional offices and peace‑keeping training centers. This infrastructure draws senior officials from across the globe for high‑level meetings.

The simultaneous presence of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Macron underscores Ethiopia’s role as a diplomatic crossroads in the Horn of Africa. Leaders used the venue to revisit long‑standing debates about global governance and regional security. They also highlighted the need for coordinated responses to crises in Sudan and the Red Sea.

Key Facts Macron stated that African problems must be solved by Africa, reinforcing the principle of African ownership of peace and security initiatives. His comment came during a plenary session focused on strengthening the African Union’s capacity to act independently.

The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted by the AU in 2005, calls for equitable African representation in the UN Security Council, including permanent seats with veto power. It reflects a continent‑wide demand for greater influence in global peace‑and‑security decisions.

In 2023, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2719, which establishes a financing mechanism for African Union peace operations. The resolution allows assessed contributions from UN members to fund AU‑led missions, aiming to make funding more predictable and sustainable.

What It Means The alignment of Macron’s remarks with the Ezulwini Consensus signals growing European support for African demands on UNSC reform, potentially easing political hurdles. Analysts note that such backing could shift the tone of upcoming negotiations within the UN General Assembly.

Resolution 2719 provides a concrete funding stream that could strengthen AU capacity to deploy and sustain missions, reducing reliance on ad‑hoc donations. Reliable financing may enable faster response times to emerging conflicts across the continent.

Observers note that any move toward permanent African seats will require negotiation among the current veto‑holding members, a process likely to unfold over the next year. They also caution that procedural reforms alone will not address underlying geopolitical rivalries that shape council dynamics.

What to watch next Watch for the AU’s upcoming summit where member states may formalize a joint position on UNSC reform, and for any UN Security Council debates on expanding membership that could be scheduled later in 2025. Additionally, monitor how the financing framework of Resolution 2719 is implemented in the field during the next peace‑keeping cycle.