Liberia Celebrates Imminent Triumph As UNSC Election Takes Place Tomorrow
By. Kebeh Sammie
United Nations Headquarters, New York: Liberia, a nation with a 64-year legacy of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) engagement, is poised to secure a non-permanent seat for the fourth time in elections slated for June 3, 2025. The West African country, first elected to the Council in 1961, has cantered its bid on the theme “Towards a Just and Peaceful World,” with Foreign Minister Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti declaring confidence in a “historic victory for Liberian diplomacy and African solidarity.”
Endorsed unopposed by the African Group, Liberia’s candidacy enjoys broad continental backing. Minister Nyanti, addressing reporters in Monrovia ahead of the vote, emphasized the nation’s “unique moral authority” rooted in its post-war transformation. “From surviving civil conflict to championing peace abroad, Liberia embodies resilience and reconciliation. We are ready to amplify the Global South’s voice in tackling inequality, climate crises, and unchecked conflicts,” she stated.
Liberia’s prior UNSC terms—1961–1962—saw the nation advocate for decolonization, mediate regional disputes, and push for humanitarian reforms. This year’s campaign highlights its role in ECOWAS peacekeeping missions, climate-vulnerable coastal states’ advocacy, and efforts to reform UN sanctions regimes.
In a show of national unity, the Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank, alongside civil society groups like the Coalition for Democratic Accountability, will join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 3 to livestream the UN General Assembly vote from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event, branded “Diplomatic Pride Night,” will feature cultural performances, panel discussions on Liberia’s UN legacy, and a celebration of what organizers call an “imminent triumph.”
“This isn’t just a diplomatic milestone—it’s a moment of national pride,” said Amos Williams, Executive Director of the Liberia Diplomatic Think Tank. “Liberians from all walks of life will witness our country reclaim its seat at the world’s highest peace table.”
While Liberia’s election is virtually assured (requiring a two-thirds majority of the 193-member Assembly), analysts stress the challenges ahead. The incoming Council will grapple with stalled peace processes in Sudan, escalating great-power tensions, and a worsening climate-security nexus. “Liberia’s strength lies in its neutrality and firsthand experience with conflict recovery,” noted UN scholar Dr. Fatmata Sesay. “But the Council’s paralysis demands more than symbolism—it requires bold coordination.”
Minister Nyanti dismissed such concerns, citing Liberia’s “proven track record of building consensus,” including its 2003 peace accords and mediation in Mali’s 2022 crisis. A victory would position Liberia alongside new members Chile, Slovenia, and South Korea in shaping responses to global hotspots.
As Liberians gather to watch the vote, expectations of success underscore broader aspirations for the nation’s diplomatic resurgence. “We’ve walked the path from war to peace,” said youth activist Josephine Karnga. “Now we’re ready to lead the world toward justice.”
Results are expected by 6:00 PM EST on June 3, with celebrations planned in Monrovia and at Liberia’s UN Mission in New York.
