President Boakai Describes Liberia’s UN Security Council Win
By Jerromie S. Walters & G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
Since her appointment as Liberia’s Foreign Minister in February 2024, Sara Beysolow Nyanti has prioritized securing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Through months of relentless campaigning across global capitals, her efforts—bolstered by President Joseph Boakai’s administration—culminated in a decisive triumph on June 3, 2025.
As many prayed, Liberia claimed 181 of 187 possible votes at the UN General Assembly, marking Africa’s oldest republic’s return to the world’s premier peace and security body after six decades. For Minister Nyanti, the emotional weight of the moment proved overwhelming as tears streamed down her face following the announcement.
Liberia was among four other countries elected on Tuesday to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, with a two-year term beginning in January 2026. Liberia will serve through the end of 2027 on the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Liberia joins Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Latvia—who were also elected—to form the five new non-permanent members. They will succeed Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms end in December 2025.
The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who hold veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for staggered two-year terms.
Elections are held annually by secret ballot, with seats allocated by regional group. Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority in the 193-member General Assembly to be elected. This year, 188 Member States participated in the election, which required only one round of balloting.
In the African and Asia-Pacific group, Bahrain received 186 votes, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) garnered 183 votes, and Liberia received 181 votes, with one country abstaining.
In the Eastern European group, Latvia received 178 votes, while 10 countries abstained. In the Latin America and the Caribbean group, Colombia received 180 votes, with eight countries abstaining. Notably, Liberia will be serving on the Council for the first time in its history.
With the exception of Latvia, all the elected countries have previously served: Colombia seven times, the DRC twice, and Bahrain and Liberia once each. The non-permanent seats on the Security Council are distributed according to four regional groupings: Africa and Asia; Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and the Western European and other States group.
This year’s election filled five seats: two allocated to Africa, one to the Asia-Pacific, one to Eastern Europe, and one to Latin America and the Caribbean.
“A moment of honor”
President Boakai, addressing the nation, framed the victory as both a national milestone and a continental affirmation. “This is a moment of honor and humility for our 178-year-old republic,” he asserted, connecting Liberia’s UNSC seat to its journey from civil war to democratic stability. The President positioned the win as testament to generations of Liberians who upheld ideals of self-governance and global solidarity.
Boakai outlined an ambitious agenda for Liberia’s 2026-2027 tenure, drawing direct parallels between the country’s post-conflict experience and its intended UNSC role. “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 asserted.
The President specifically highlighted commitments to amplify African voices, advance climate security, and safeguard women and children in conflict zones—a nod to Nyanti’s expertise as former UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal. President Boakak 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.”
The Road to Victory
Liberia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was officially confirmed today. This significant achievement for the West African nation comes after a campaign that began during the administration of President George Manneh Weah, whose government initiated the process in 2022. The current administration actively engaged with the UN, submitting candidacy documentation and rallying support from member states during the general debate of heads of state and government. Liberia’s successful bid reflects its growing diplomatic influence and commitment to contributing to international peace and security initiatives. The country’s tenure on the UNSC will provide an important platform to advocate for regional stability, peacekeeping efforts, and development issues affecting Liberia and the broader African continent.
What’s Nexr for Liberia?
Liberia’s election to the UN Security Council marks the beginning of an intensive diplomatic process requiring immediate action. First and foremost, the government must establish its operational framework by appointing a seasoned permanent representative to lead New York-based engagements while assembling a specialized support team with expertise in peacekeeping, sanctions regimes, and conflict mediation. This core group will need to work in lockstep with Monrovia’s foreign ministry and regional partners like the African Union to develop coherent positions.
The substantive work begins with defining Liberia’s strategic priorities for the two-year term. Given Africa’s pressing security challenges, Liberia is expected to champion issues like Sahel stabilization, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and climate-related conflicts. The country’s own post-civil war reconstruction experience positions it to advocate effectively for sustainable peacebuilding frameworks. Foreign Minister Nyanti will likely emphasize women’s participation in conflict resolution, building on her UN experience.
Operationalizing the role involves meticulous preparation for Security Council procedures. Liberia’s delegation must develop position papers on agenda items, establish voting guidelines that balance national interests with continental solidarity, and create mechanisms for domestic consultation. The mission will participate in closed-door negotiations where much of the Council’s real work happens, requiring skilled diplomatic maneuvering among major powers.
Leadership opportunities abound if Liberia proactively seeks them. Chairing subsidiary bodies on specific conflicts or sanction regimes would amplify influence. High-profile interventions by President Boakai during open debates could shape global narratives. The platform also allows Liberia to push for institutional reforms, particularly the long-standing demand for permanent African representation on the Council.
However, pundits say significant challenges await. Resource constraints may limit Liberia’s ability to engage across all agenda items equally. Pressure from veto-wielding members on contentious issues like Ukraine or Palestine will test diplomatic finesse. Domestic expectations for tangible benefits will require careful management through transparent communication about the Council’s workings.
