-in Landslide Vote
–
By Jerromie S. Walters
Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent republic, has 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, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The win marks Liberia’s fourth term on the Council, further cementing its diplomatic legacy nearly six decades after its first tenure in 1961. The country’s campaign, anchored on the theme “Towards a Just and Peaceful World,” received unanimous backing from the African Group, reflecting broad continental solidarity.
For Liberia, this achievement is more than a diplomatic milestone—it is a testament to its enduring role in shaping global and African governance. Founded in 1847 by freed Black settlers from the Americas, Liberia emerged as a beacon of Pan-Africanism and self-rule long before the wave of decolonization in the 20th century. Its early UNSC tenure (1961–1962) saw the nation advocate fiercely for African independence movements, mediate regional conflicts, and push for equitable global policies. Today, its return to the Council carries symbolic weight, reinforcing Liberia’s resurgence after decades of civil war and recovery.
The significance of Liberia’s election extends beyond history—it aligns with urgent contemporary priorities. As a key contributor to ECOWAS peacekeeping efforts, Liberia has positioned itself as a stabilizing force in West Africa, a region grappling with coups, extremism, and political instability. Additionally, the country has emerged as a leading voice for climate-vulnerable coastal states, advocating for international support to address rising sea levels and environmental degradation. Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti hailed the victory as a triumph of “Liberian resilience and African unity,” emphasizing the nation’s commitment to reforming global security frameworks.
Liberia’s UNSC agenda reflects its dual focus on regional security and global equity. The country has pledged to push for more targeted UN sanctions to minimize humanitarian harm, a stance informed by its own post-war recovery experience. It also aims to amplify the concerns of small states disproportionately affected by climate change and economic inequality. With Africa currently divided over issues like multilateral intervention and UN reform, Liberia’s consensus-driven approach could help bridge divides within the continent and beyond.
As the country prepares to take its seat in January 2026, expectations are high that it will leverage its unique history and regional credibility to advance peace, justice, and sustainable development. For Liberians, this moment is not just a foreign policy victory—it is a reaffirmation of their nation’s enduring promise, from its founding ideals to its modern aspirations as a voice for the marginalized.
The Councl:
The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the United Nations Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security.
It is for the Security Council to determine when and where a UN peace operation should be deployed.
The Security Council responds to crises around the world on a case-by-case basis and it has a range of options at its disposal.
The Security Council establishes a peace operation by adopting a Security Council resolution. The resolution sets out that mission’s mandate and size.
The Security Council monitors the work of UN peace operations on an ongoing basis, including through periodic reports from the Secretary-General and by holding dedicated Security Council sessions to discuss the work of specific operations.
