When people hear that Africa wants a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, one question is often left unanswered: What exactly would that seat give Africa? To understand why the issue matters so much, you first need to understand how the Security Council works, who sits on it, how decisions are made and, most importantly, what the word veto really means. The UN Security Council is the part of the United Nations with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It can, in certain circumstances, impose sanctions, demand that countries take particular actions and authorise the use of force. UN member states are obligated under the UN Charter to comply with Security Council decisions. And this is where the difference between an ordinary member and a permanent member becomes extremely important. The Security Council has 15 members The Security Council is made up of 15 countries. Five are permanent members: These five are commonly called the P5. The other 10 countries are non permanent members, sometimes called the E10. They are elected by the UN General Assembly for two year terms. A country completing its term cannot immediately be re elected. As of September 2026, the 10