The proposed reform for the amplification of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has evoked considerable debate in recent years, focussing on the impact that incoming developing countries could have on future power constellations within that international body. This paper contemplates possible changes that could occur with the inclusion of African hegemonic states, particularly the three main pretenders, Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria. It analyzes the three countries power potential and their regional and international objectives as leaders of the developing world as well as their relations to each other. The paper concludes that the inclusion of major African states in the Security Council will shift the balance towards the Global South, resulting not only in changes in the agenda of the Security Council but possibly also in a variety of strategic alliances outlined in the paper, as well as South-South cooperation against the current power constellation within that body. This cooperation and the growing economic power potential behind it – particularly if taking into account energy resources in Africa - makes it increasingly unwise for the veto powers in the UNSC to keep postponing the debated reform – until they have lost their last negotiating power, their economic weight, to the combined force of the newcomers. Thus, the UNSC seat discussions are a reflection of the ongoing change in the power relationships in the international system and merit close observation as well as foreign policy adjustment by all members of the international community.

Different types of actual and potential conflicts around Lake Victoria and East Africa are analysed. Policy recommendation for potential interventions.