Ramaphosa: Africa should be given a permanent seat in the UN Security Council

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has insisted that Africa should be given permanent representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ramaphosa has made it clear that it is unacceptable for the continent with more than 1.3 billion people to remain without representation in that important UN body.

The South African leader has said that Africa deserves not only to have a permanent seat but also to be given the right to veto, so as not to remain in "second class" participation.

"We have the capacity, we have the skills, and Africa needs to be given its rightful place in the United Nations systems and its various structures," added Ramaphosa.

The remarks of the President of South Africa come a week after the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres criticized the Security Council for not having a permanent representative from Africa. 

Developing countries have long unsuccessfully demanded permanent seats on the Security Council, the most powerful body in the United Nations.