11 African nations join France-Mexico push to curb UN veto in genocide cases

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Tuesday that 11 African nations have joined a long-standing initiative led by France and Mexico aimed at restricting the use of the veto power at the UN Security Council during mass atrocity situations.

Total supporters rise to 118

In a statement posted on X, Barrot said the new endorsements were announced during the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya. “A step has been taken to protect the world's people from mass atrocities: genocide, crimes against humanity, and the most serious war crimes,” Barrot said. According to the French minister, the addition of the 11 African countries brings the total number of states supporting the initiative to 118.

Voluntary veto restraint

The initiative, first launched by France and Mexico in 2015, calls on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK—to voluntarily refrain from using their veto power in situations involving genocide, crimes against humanity, and large-scale war crimes. The proposal seeks to prevent the Security Council from being paralyzed during major humanitarian crises. Barrot said: “We can no longer wait to restore the UN's effectiveness, which must no longer be hampered by the misuse of the veto. I urge all countries that have not yet done so to join us.” Türkiye has long supported reform of the UN Security Council, including limiting the veto power, and has called for a more representative and accountable multilateral system.