UN Security Council

Who holds the power to call peacekeepers, impose sanctions, or refer crimes to the International Criminal Court? The UN Security Council. This tag page gathers our coverage and explains why the Council matters — especially for Africa, where many votes shape peace, aid, and sanctions.

The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten elected non-permanent members. That veto makes decisions political and sometimes gridlocked. When a crisis flares, a single veto can change the outcome for countries and people on the ground.

What the Council does and why it matters

The Council handles four big areas: peace and security, sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and authorising military action. It can create peacekeeping missions, set arms embargoes, freeze assets, or demand ceasefires. For African nations, Council decisions often decide whether international troops stay, whether sanctions hit a government, or whether humanitarian corridors open.

Want to follow a Council decision in plain language? Start by checking the voting pattern: yes, no, or abstain. Watch why a permanent member uses a veto — that often tells you more about global strategy than the resolution text. Also look for short-term statements from the Council president; they summarise the mood and next steps.

How to use this tag page

We collect stories here that mention the UN Security Council, its resolutions, or its role in crises. Use the tag to find today's votes, analysis of sanctions, and reports on peacekeeping missions. If a story mentions a Council action affecting Africa — troop mandates, arms embargoes, or humanitarian access — you'll see it here.

Quick tips for readers: if you want updates, follow the article date and note which country led the resolution. For deeper context, search older tagged stories to see how the Council has handled similar cases. That helps spot patterns, like which countries push for sanctions or which members favour diplomatic solutions.

We aim to make Council coverage clear and useful. Expect short news reports, expert takes, and explainers that cut through the legal language. Our goal is to show how a Council vote translates into real changes: more aid, new peacekeepers, or tougher sanctions.

Have a story idea or a question about a Council decision? Send us a tip. You can also bookmark this tag to track developments quickly. The UN Security Council shapes global responses to conflict — and this page helps you follow every important move.

Want to read the official text? UN documents use codes like S/RES/ followed by the year and number. Resolution texts are short but full of legal terms — focus on the operative paragraphs (the numbered points) to see actions the Council demands. Meeting records and press statements give the context; statements by permanent members explain their stance. Track Council calendars for upcoming votes, and watch live video or press briefings for quick updates. For African stories, note which regional bloc spoke and look for Chapter VII language — that signals binding measures like sanctions or force mandates.