Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the United Nations General Assembly, demanding an overhaul of the UN Security Council's power imbalance and the international financial architecture.

• Ruto called for equitable and permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council, currently dominated by five permanent members with veto power.
• He highlighted that Africa's 54 nations are excluded from permanent membership despite frequently being the subject of the Council's decisions.
• The President also advocated for reforms in the international financial system, noting that developing countries pay substantial interest on debt, impacting essential services like education and healthcare.

Kenya is advocating for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council with full privileges, as outlined by President William Ruto.

• Africa requires a meaningful voice in global peace and security decisions, with equitable and permanent representation.
• President William Ruto, speaking at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, highlighted systemic inequalities in international law and finance.
• The call comes amidst ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on UN Security Council reform, with African nations demanding permanent and non-permanent seats.

Travel to parts of Ethiopia is disrupted following a renewed conflict and a travel advisory from the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a security alert warning foreigners to avoid the Tigray and Afar regions due to escalating tensions.

• Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to and from airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire after the Tigray Defence Forces reportedly took control of them.
• The conflict is a renewed power struggle between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
• U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga expressed disappointment with the TPLF's decision to launch a large-scale offensive instead of pursuing dialogue.