The Group of African States, or African Group, is one of the five United Nations regional groups and is composed of 54 Member States from the African continent. The African Group is the largest regional group, and compose 28% of all United Nations members.
Abbreviation | GAFS |
---|---|
Formation | 1964; 60 years ago (1964) |
Type | Regional group |
Legal status | Active |
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The Group, as with all the regional groups, is a non-binding dialogue group where subjects concerning regional and international matters are discussed. Additionally, the Group works to help allocates seats on United Nations bodies by nominating candidates from the region.[1][2]
The Group, as with all the regional groups, plays a major role in promoting the region's interests. It provides a forum for Member States to exchange opinions on international issues, carry out follow-up on the topics that are being discussed in international organisations, build common positions on complex issues and prepare statements reflecting the joint position of the Group.[3][4]
However, most importantly, the Group allows for the discussion and coordination of support for candidates for different United Nations organisations from the region.[1]
The following are the Member States of the African Group:[5][6]
The African Group currently holds three seats on the Security Council, all non-permanent. The current members of the Security Council from the Group are:[7][8]
Country | Term |
---|---|
Gabon | 1 January 2022 — 31 December 2023[9] |
Ghana | 1 January 2022 — 31 December 2023[9] |
Mozambique | 1 January 2023 — 31 December 2024 |
The African Group currently holds 14 seats on the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The current members of the Economic and Social Council from the Group are:[10][11]
Country | Term |
---|---|
Liberia | 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2023 |
Libya | |
Madagascar | |
Nigeria | |
Zimbabwe | |
Angola | 1 January 2019 — 31 December 2021 |
Egypt | |
Ethiopia | |
Kenya | |
Mali | |
Benin | 1 January 2020 — 31 December 2022 |
Botswana | |
Congo | |
Gabon |
The African Group currently holds 13 seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council. The current members of the Human Rights Council from the Group are:[12][13]
Country | Term |
---|---|
Ivory Coast | 1 January 2021 — 31 December 2023 |
Gabon | |
Malawi | |
Senegal | |
Burkina Faso | 1 January 2019 — 31 December 2021 |
Cameroon | |
Eritrea | |
Somalia | |
Togo | |
Libya | 1 January 2020 — 31 December 2022 |
Mauritania | |
Namibia | |
Sudan |
Every five years in the years ending in 4 and 9, the African Group is eligible to elect a president to the General Assembly.[14]
The following is a list of presidents from the Group since its official creation in 1963:[15]
Year Elected | Session | Name of President | Country | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | 19th | Alex Quaison-Sackey | Ghana | |
1969 | 24th | Angie E. Brooks | Liberia | |
1974 | 29th | Abdelaziz Bouteflika | Algeria | |
1979 | 34th | Salim A. Salim | United Republic of Tanzania | Also chaired the 6th and 7th emergency special, and 11th special sessions of the General Assembly |
1984 | 39th | Paul J. F. Lusaka | Zambia | |
1989 | 44th | Joseph Nanven Garba | Nigeria | Also chaired 16th, 17th and 18th special sessions of the General Assembly |
1994 | 49th | Amara Essy | Côte d'Ivoire | |
1999 | 54th | Theo-Ben Gurirab | Namibia | Also chaired the 22nd, 23rd and 24th special sessions of the General Assembly |
2004 | 59th | Jean Ping | Gabon | |
2009 | 64th | Ali Abdussalam Treki | Libya | Also chaired the 29th special session of the General Assembly |
2014 | 69th | Sam Kahamba Kutesa | Uganda | |
2019 | 74th | Tijjani Muhammad-Bande | Nigeria | |
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2024 | 79th | TBA | TBA | |
2029 | 84th | TBA | TBA | |
2034 | 89th | TBA | TBA |