Tanzania bids for UN Security Council seat, vows to champion Africa’s voice

NEW YORK: TANZANIA has announced its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–2030 term, pledging to advance Africa’s interests and push for stronger preventive diplomacy and reforms of the global peace and security system.

Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, said Tanzania would use the opportunity to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts and strengthen international efforts to prevent disputes from escalating into war.

He said Tanzania would also prioritise greater participation of women and youth in peace and security initiatives, while advocating reforms of UN peacekeeping operations.

Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania’s candidacy had received the backing of the African Union (AU), with the election scheduled for June 2028.

He said Tanzania believed the UN system needed reforms to strengthen justice, equality and balanced representation among member states.

According to the Vice-President, the international system should better reflect the interests and voices of all nations rather than disproportionately reflecting the power and influence of a few countries.

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He said the call for reforms was particularly important as the world faces armed conflicts, climate change, disease outbreaks, rapid advances in artificial intelligence and growing energy-security challenges.

Mr Ndejembi said Tanzania’s bid was therefore anchored on strengthening Africa’s voice in global decision-making while promoting preventive diplomacy, peaceful conflict resolution and a more representative international peace and security system.