-Pres. Boakai Celebrates Liberia’s UNSC Win
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has characterized
Liberia’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a “moment of honor” in its journey from conflict to credibility on the global stage.
Liberia secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a resounding victory, earning 181 out of 187 valid votes in elections held on June 3, 2025. In a national address following the pronouncement of the result, the President asserted that the election serves as recognition of Liberia’s resilience, democratic gains, and enduring commitment to international cooperation.
“This is a moment of honor and humility for our 178-year-old republic. Our election is not just a national achievement; it symbolizes African perseverance and is a tribute to generations of Liberians who have held firm to freedom, self-governance, and global solidarity.”
The Liberian leader pledged Liberia’s active and principled participation in addressing global challenges, including climate insecurity, terrorism, and inequality. He said Liberia would prioritize conflict prevention, peacekeeping reform, and civilian protection, particularly for women and children.
“Drawing from our own experience of reconciliation and nation-building, we will promote conflict prevention, support peacekeeping reform, and champion the protection of civilians,” he said, while also reaffirming Liberia’s growing role as a troop-contributing country to UN missions.
To the African continent and the Global South, President Boakai promised solidarity and advocacy. “To our African brothers and sisters, we pledge to be your voice. To the global South, we offer solidarity,” he said, pledging constructive diplomacy “rooted in Liberia’s humility, honesty, and freedom values.”
The President paid homage to trailblazing Liberian diplomats and leaders, including the late Ambassador Angie Brooks-Randolph, the first African woman to preside over the UN General Assembly, and former President William R. Tolbert Jr., who championed African justice as central to global peace.
Boakai reflected on Liberia’s historical role as a founding member of the United Nations and the League of Nations, as well as its legacy of advocacy for African independence. He also acknowledged the international community’s role in Liberia’s post-conflict recovery, including the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the African Union.
“We remain grateful to the United Nations… and we especially pay tribute to the 202 United Nations peacekeepers who died in the cause of Liberia,” the President said, underscoring the country’s emergence from war to a stable democracy.
Highlighting Liberia’s first partial term on the Council in 1961, Boakai emphasized that the upcoming tenure carries a different meaning. “Unlike our first partial term, today’s election is a testament to our nation’s journey toward peace and reconciliation. It validates Liberia’s commitment to international peace and our readiness to contribute meaningfully at the highest level.”
He credited the achievement to the collective efforts of Liberian diplomats and government officials, including Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, for leading a successful campaign across New York, Monrovia, and Addis Ababa.
Looking ahead, Boakai promised inclusive consultations across Liberia to ensure that the country’s voice on the Council reflects its people’s aspirations. “We will consult with women and youth nationwide to ensure our representation is inclusive and grounded,” he said.
In closing, he called on Liberians to unite and seize the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to global peace and security: “This victory is yours. When Liberia sits at the Council, it will be your hopes, resilience, and dreams that she will carry.”
