-As Liberia Secures UN Security Council Seat
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia – As Liberia celebrates its historic election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as one of Africa’s representatives, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has called for the nation’s global leadership to be matched by principled governance at home.
In an official statement released Tuessay, Taylor hailed the June 3, 2025, UN vote—which saw Liberia secure overwhelming support—as a “profound victory” for both the nation and the African continent. However, she emphasized that the country’s newfound diplomatic influence must align with domestic accountability.
“Let Liberia’s voice on the global stage be matched by its conduct and commitment at home,” Taylor urged, stressing adherence to “peace, justice, unity, and the rule of law.” Madam Taylor extended congratulations to key figures behind Liberia’s UNSC bid, including former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah—whose administration initiated the campaign—as well as current President Joseph Boakai and Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti for their *”tireless efforts.”
“This achievement is a testament to Liberia’s resilience and diplomatic legacy,” she noted, referencing the nation’s historic role as Africa’s oldest republic.
With Liberia now positioned as the continent’s voice on the Security Council, Taylor called for policies that reflect *”the collective will and aspirations of Africa.”* She underscored the need for principled stances in votes, messaging, and negotiations.
The former Vice President’s statement carried an implicit challenge: Liberia’s international credibility hinges on its domestic governance. Her remarks come amid ongoing debates over transparency, judicial reforms, and national cohesion under the Boakai administration.
“May Mama Liberia lead with wisdom, integrity, and courage,” Madam Taylor concluded, framing the UNSC seat as both an honor and a responsibility. Liberia was officially elected on June 3, 2025, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to serve as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), representing Africa for the 2026–2027 term. The process provides that to be elected, a candidate country must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the Member States present and voting.
With 190 countries voting, Liberia accumulated 181 votes out of the total 188 total votes cast, surpassing the 127 affirmative threshold votes to secure a seat. Liberia declared its candidacy for one of the two available seats allocated to the African Group in September 2023 – during an announcement made during the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the first Independent African Nation launched her campaign and began seeking endorsements from regional and international partners.
Liberia’s campaign which emphasized her enduring commitment to peace, security, and development across the African continent, received strong endorsements from both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU). The election was conducted by established General Assembly procedures and regional rotation practices. It was presided over by H.E. Philemon Yang of Cameroon, President of the 79th UNGA session, which began in September 2024 and will conclude in September 2025.
The process was carried out pursuant to Article 23 of the UN Charter, which states: “The General Assembly shall elect ten other Members of the United Nations to be non-permanent members of the Security Council, due regard being specially paid, in the first instance to the contribution of Members of the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the Organization, and also to equitable geographical distribution.”
