Gbowee Supports Bid For Liberia UNSC Seat Says Liberia Owes UN for Its “Pivotal Role” In Ending Conflict

While much spotlight and uproarious public discourse have fallen on former President George Manneh Weah regarding the ruling Unity Party’s roaming pleas for support to obtain a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, not many people know that other eminent citizens were also targeted for the support but have kept theirs out of the limelight. This is the case with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and iconic peace advocate Madam Leymah R. Gbowee, who so quickly accepted the GoL’s appeal but in terse but moving words. THE ANALYST reports

As the Government of Liberia still awaits answers from a select number of eminent Liberians whose endorsement and support could help in its strive to make the historic feat of obtaining a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Madam Leymah R. Gbowee has already accepted in prompt, short response to the government.

It can be recalled that on September 6, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that given Madam’s pivotal role in Liberia’s peace process and her powerful advocacy for women and peace globally, “we believe your voice would greatly enhance our campaign”.

The Foreign Ministry used the communication to tender its compliments to Gbowee “with deep respect and admiration for your tireless work in promoting peace and justice, not only within Liberia but across the globe”.

“Your leadership and advocacy during our civil crisis have left an indelible mark on Liberia’s history and serve as a beacon of hope for women and peace builders worldwide,” said the communication further, recalling how Liberia, a founding member of the United Nations, was launching its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“The formal launch will take place at the United Nations Headquarters during the upcoming UN General Assembly on September 27. 2024,” the Ministry told Madam Gbowee. “This momentous occasion marks an important chapter in Liberia’s engagement with the global community, and we are reaching out to our nation’s most esteemed figures to help amplify our message to the world.”

The Ministry further drew on Liberia’s history with the UN, one of partnership and transformation, which has in 1961, “held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, and in the years following, the United Nations played a critical role in helping to end Liberia’s civil war in 2003”.

“The UN peacekeeping mission, which spanned from 2003 to 2018, was instrumental in maintaining stability,” the Foreign Ministry also told the Liberian peace icon in the letter of request, adding that “given your pivotal role in Liberia’s peace process and your powerful advocacy for women and peace globally, we believe your voice would greatly enhance our campaign.”

“Your contributions to the peace in Liberia, culminating in your Nobel Peace Prize, have made you one of our nation’s most prominent and influential figures. As we seek to secure this important seat on the UNSC, we would be deeply honored if you could join other prominent figures, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President George Manneh Weah, and current President Joseph N. Boakai, in supporting Liberia’s bid for the UNSC.”

The communication asked Madam Gbowee to provide a brief video message of approximately one minute in length, endorsing Liberia’s bid and possibly “join us and participate in the actual launch at the United Nations Headquarters on September 27, 2024 at 2:30pm.”

According to the Ministry, the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s message and presence would emphasize Liberia’s historical contributions to the United Nations and the global peace and security agenda, “and your personal commitment to advancing these efforts.”

Gbowee Response

In her response, the eminent female Liberian wrote: “I am honored to support the government of Liberia in their bid for a Non-Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations played a pivotal role in abating the conflict in Liberia in 2003, a Non-Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council will allow Liberia to continue to make contributions to the legacy of peace and conflict resolution that our nation and citizens have worked tirelessly to cultivate.”