Michael Imran Kanu, SJD

On Monday, 20 April 2026, the #AfricanReformModel on @UN Security Council Reform will be presented during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (#IGN) Structured Dialogue (CR2, 10:00–13:00 & 15:00–18:00). This marks an important step in a long and principled journey toward reforming the Security Council and rectifying the historic injustice against Africa. The Model, endorsed by African Heads of State and Government at the 39th @_AfricanUnion Assembly, follows the report of the C-10 Coordinator, H.E. President @julius_maadabio, and reflects Africa’s unified and legitimate aspirations. 🔗 journal.un.org/en/meeting/off… #UNSCReform #CommonAfricanPosition #EzulwiniConcensus #SirteDeclaration #C10

Great pleasure to collaborate with @africa_amani on this policy paper, following my participation in the High-Level pre-#AUSummit Policy Dialogue on “The role of the A3+: Insights from Sierra Leone’s UN Security Council Membership.” A timely brief reflecting on Sierra Leone’s (2024-2025) tenure on the @UN Security Council, and the evolving role of the A3+ in shaping more coherent, principled, and strategic African engagement in global peace and security. #A3Plus #UNSC #Africa #Multilateralism @SierraLeoneUN

“Africa’s position on the veto, as set out in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, remains clear and unchanged. For the African Group, the central question is straightforward. In principle, Africa supports the abolition of the veto. However, so long as the veto continues to exist, it cannot remain the exclusive preserve of the current permanent members. The African permanent members must enjoy the same prerogatives and responsibilities as existing permanent members, including the veto, as a matter of common justice and fairness.” H. E Amb. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, PR of Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 to the #UN, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN, at the 3rd IGN Plenary meeting on the Cluster of the Veto: Focusing on the views on Article 273 of the @UN Charter in regards to voting. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030

At today’s @UN General Assembly IGN Plenary on the #veto, on behalf of the Coordinator of the C-10 H.E. President @julius_maadabio, I reaffirmed Africa’s principled and longstanding position under the Common African Position. Africa supports the abolition of the veto in principle. However, so long as the veto remains, justice and fairness demand that it cannot continue as the exclusive preserve of current permanent members. African permanent members must enjoy the same prerogatives and responsibilities. The debate on Article 27(3) of the UN Charter further underscores a critical point: the challenge before us is not one of interpretation, but of implementation. The requirement that a party to a dispute abstain from voting must be applied consistently and in good faith. Commitments under the Pact for the Future, including on responsible decision-making in the Security Council, should now translate into practice. Responsible use of the veto can contribute to restoring credibility, enhancing accountability, and enabling timely responses to global crises. The veto remains central to the broader question of Security Council reform. Africa will continue to engage constructively, guided by the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, toward a more just, representative, and effective Council.

@SierraLeoneUN commends @FinlandUN and @JordanUN_NY, Co-Chairs of the Youth, Peace and Security (#YPS) Group of Champions for convening the ambassadorial level meeting, and thanks ASG @felipepaullier, ASG @ElizabethSpehar, and DED @PioSmith_UN for their briefings. It was our first opportunity, including on behalf of co-pen Guyana @PMUN_GUY, to thank the Group of Champions for its support for the adoption of Security Council resolution 2807, a milestone that further institutionalizes the YPS agenda in the Council and advances stronger implementation at the national level.

One of the most moving moments of my time in Sierra Leone was visiting the Peace Museum 🇸🇱. An obligated stop for anyone visiting this beautiful country. Thank you ✨🙏

#BBNJ_PrepComIII Concludes! Closing Statement delivered by the DPR for Legal Affairs of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Michaela Swallow, on behalf of the African Group, at the close of the III Session of the Preparatory Commission on the BBNJ Agreement, and reaffirmed Africa’s strong commitment to ocean governance. Africa looks forward with optimism to the First Conference of the Parties, with the goal of agreeing on an effective and inclusive operational framework. Africa remains firmly committed to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, for the benefit of present and future generations. #BBNJ #OceanGovernance #GlobalCommons #AfricaAtUN @SierraLeoneUN

I join the @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres in strongly condemning attacks on UN peacekeepers, including the recent incident involving Indonesian personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon @UNIFIL_. I also extend my deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government and people of Indonesia, and wish a full and swift recovery to the injured. There must be #accountability, and all parties must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including ensuring the safety, security and inviolability of United Nations personnel and property at all times.

Today, the @UN General Assembly has adopted a landmark Resolution : A/80/L.48 entitled “Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity.” This Resolution marks a significant milestone in global discussions about historical injustices and human rights. The landslide vote is as follows: ➡️ 123 in favor of the Resolution, ➡️ 52 Abstentions and ➡️ 03 Against. Tabled by the #AfricanGroupUN and championed by Ghana 🇬🇭, this landmark Declaration affirms that the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement were crimes against humanity whose consequences endure to this day. Addressing the General Assembly, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana 🇬🇭 , called on the world to stand on the right side of history and today, the world answered. This is a victory for Africa. For our ancestors. For the millions who suffered, and for the generations who carry this forward. The Decade of Action on Reparations has begun. #Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant #ReparatoryJustice #UN80

Eid Mubarak!

I am honored to join the Global Partnership for Education as a Champion for sustainable education financing. Education is the foundation of opportunity and national development. Investing in our children today means we empower the next generation to build stronger societies, drive innovation, and secure a more prosperous future for Africa and the world. globalpartnership.org/news/global-pa…

Part I of the 31st Session of the Legal and Technical Commission was held between 23 February and 6 March in Kingston, Jamaica. 🔗 Read the announcement: isa.org.jm/news/legal-and… #OceanGovernance #DeepSeaNeedsRules #ISA31

Happy International Women's Day.

Honoring the trailblazers who paved the way, the game changers who shook things up, and the everyday heroes who show up with courage and kindness every single day. Your strength, resilience, and compassion inspire us all. Happy Women's Day to the women who make a difference in our lives and in the world. FMB.

Happy International Women’s Day #IWD26. Today we celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s rights and renew our resolve to ensure women’s full and equal participation in every aspect of society. In the lead-up to #CSW70, let us continue working together for a more equal, inclusive, and just world. #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

I’m pleased to share that I will be appearing live on CNN on The Lead with Jake Tapper, hosted by Jake Tapper, where I will be speaking about my continued global advocacy to end child marriage and promote the protection and education of girls. Following my recent engagement at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in New York City, I look forward to further amplifying the voice of Sierra Leone and strengthening our collective commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive free from child marriage, on such a global platform. FMB

Is a zombie UN better than nothing? Perhaps. But the inability of the UN to play any role in even trying to prevent the new US/Israeli-Iran war, coming on top of its inability to prevent or end the Russian war on Ukraine or the genocide in Gaza, means it’s beyond time for an imaginative and genuinely radical rethink of the United Nations. We need to go back to first principles ask what kind of global peace organisation is both necessary and actually possible today and identify the political strategy for making it happen. Otherwise we’re all sleepwalking to WW3.