UNSC
The U.N. Security Council got five new members Tuesday, as Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates formally took up the posts they won in an election in June.
Gabon and Ghana each have been on the council three times before and the UAE once.
The 15-member council is the U.N.’s most powerful body. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent members, with veto power.
Other members are elected by the 193-member General Assembly for two-year terms that are allocated by global regions.
The African continent non-permanent seats on the Security Council, were held by Kenya, Tunisia and Niger.
South African and Senegalese presidents had last year called for a permanent representation of the African people in the council.
Council members also can convene meetings on security topics of particular interest to them, and smaller countries get to share a prominent platform with world powers.
More than 50 of the U.N.'s 193 member countries have never been elected to the council since it formed in 1946.
Go to video
Ghana doubles IMF funding target to $3 billion – Bloomberg
01:10
US says top envoy's Africa trip not meant to catch up with rivals
Go to video
France charges 5 more children of ex-Gabonese leader Bongo over 'ill-gotten assets'
Go to video
Why has Ghana's return to IMF provoked an outcry?
00:59
Ghana declares outbreak of Marburg virus disease
Go to video
Dozens of migrants rescued In Nigerien desert - UN