By Nathan N. Mulbah
By June 6, 2025 the august gathering at the United Nations 79th General Assembly will converge, among other things, to elect five new permanent members to take seat on the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members of the Security Council.
Holding all things constant, among sovereign nations vying for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be our dearest country, the Republic of Liberia.
Officially, Liberia launched its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026-2027 Term on September 27, 2024.
In announcing Liberia’s intention to contest for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 27, 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai called on the international community to support Liberia’s candidacy.
In making the historic overture, the Liberian leader emphasized Liberia’s historical role as a founding member of the UN and the League of Nations, as well as its contributions to peace and security across Africa and the global community.
Liberia, as a serious contestant in the upcoming United Nations non-permanent membership election on the UNSC has already put in vogue strategic outreach campaign geared at attaining a non-permanent member seat for the period of January 1, 2026, to January 2027.
In making Liberia’s case for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC, President Joseph N. Boakai said, it is with great joy and a profound sense of responsibility that he is seeking his colleagues support for Liberia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2026.
In making Liberia’s case further, the Liberian leader reminded his colleagues that Liberia is a founding member of the precursor to the United Nations, which was the League of Nations, adding that it is also noteworthy that Liberia produced the first African female President of the UN General Assembly and the second woman from any nation to head the General Assembly.
Admittedly, the Mother Land, Mama Liberia, has played a significant role in the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. As a country, President Boakai will have his audience informed that Liberia embodies the principles and aspirations of the United Nations itself. He stressed that Liberia commitment to peace, security, and human dignity is enshrined in the 1986 Liberian Constitution and is reflected in Liberia’s actions on the global stage.
Following the disclosure by the Liberian Leader of Liberia’s intention of becoming a non-permanent member of the UNSC at the UN General Assembly in New York in 2024, a well-intentioned and organized outreach campaign was put in place for the realization and acquisition of the seat on the UNSC.
On February 10, 2025, Liberia launched her bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026-2027 term.
Certainly, this international initiative marks a potential return to the global decision-making body for the first time in 65 years.
Since the launched of the campaign, it has gained tremendous momentum, with strong endorsements from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
Assuredly, the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, in championing the cause for Liberia acquisition of the seat, expressed confidence that Liberia will secure the seat when elections take place in June 2025.
Ideally, the voting tapestry at the UNSC is arranged such that Liberia mainly needs approximately 128 votes from 193 UN member states to win the seat. Given the level of work that Liberia has undertaken with the national government actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to build coalitions and secure support, we can be assured that Liberia will be elected to the UNSC as a non-permanent member.
Lately, a number of international partners with voting rights have assured Liberia of casting their vote in Liberia interest. The Republic of Ireland representative accredited near Monrovia also pledged her country support for Liberia’s membership to the UNSC last week.
Moreover, Liberia is also seeking positions in other UN bodies, including the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and from the look of things, we are certain that Liberia stands a chance in chalking a place at the UN.
Historically, Liberia has played a foundational and influential role in the United Nations (UN) since its (UN) inception as a global organization of the comity of nations.
As a founding member of the United Nations, Liberia was one of the original 51 countries that signed the United Nations Charter on June 26, 1945, officially establishing the UN.
Invariably, Liberia’s early involvement at the United Nations demonstrated Africa’s presence in shaping global governance. As a founding member of the United Nations, Liberia was one of the few independent African nations at the time that actively supported efforts to end colonial rule across the continent.
Indeed, Liberia was forceful in advocating for the rights of African nations to self-determination and independence.
Additionally, Liberia has engaged in UN peacekeeping missions, particularly after emerging from our debilitating civil war. This puts Liberia in a position to be useful in helping to mitigate and aborting international and national conflicts globally. Liberia has contributed personnel to UN operations across Africa, helping stabilize conflict zones. All of this credible credential makes Liberia an electable candidate for the position of a non-permanent seat on the UNSC.
It is an established fact that Liberia previously served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 1961-1962, representing Africa. Liberia used its position to promote peace and security in Africa, focusing on mediation efforts.
Now, after 65 years, Liberia is making a historic bid to return to the Security Council for the 2026-2027 term. The government is emphasizing its legacy in peacebuilding and diplomacy as key strengths in its campaign.
At this crucial juncture in our national sojourn, it is incumbent upon all Liberians, irrespective of political leaning or persuasion to join the bandwagon in championing the cause for Liberia attainment of a non-permanent seat on the UNSC 2026-2027 term.
