Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammed, on Thursday, delivered a stirring call for African unity and institutional reform, warning that rising geopolitical tensions and fractured global leadership have left the world dangerously unstable and Africa vulnerable.

Speaking at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards 2025, the Nigerian diplomat said the time had come for Africa and other middle-power nations to close ranks, strengthen their institutions and assert a coherent voice on the global stage.

Dr. Mohammed painted a sobering picture of a world strained by nations seeking to reclaim past dominance and others retreating into narrow, self-first agendas, trends she said are fuelling conflicts and deepening global uncertainty.

“We see countries today wanting to be what they used to be before, wanting to be how big they used to be before. That is creating a lot of tension around the world,” she said.

“And then there are those saying ‘XYZ first,’ which is also creating its own conflicts.

She warned that when major global actors, including founding members of the United Nations, deviate from established norms and responsibilities, the ripple effects destabilise the international system.

Yet amid the turbulence, she insisted the UN remains a vital platform.

“The UN represents the global village. We may not have the same muscle, but we have a voice,” she said.

“And with that voice, we must continue to speak for the poorest and most vulnerable.”

Turning her focus to the continent, Dr. Mohammed said Africa’s greatest handicap is not lack of resources but lack of unity.