Go for It; It Will Be A Big Win -Liberians Launch Campaign Today for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat

MONROVIA – Pundits conjecture that Liberia’s recovery from the ashes of war would remain incomplete if it failed to ascend prominently to the world stage where it was once known, and respected, as the beacon of freedom and liberty for Africa and the developing world. Angie Elizabeth Brooks, an esteemed Liberian international player, and other forebears who flew high the “Lone Star of Africa” at the United Nations during the world’s darkest days, might be bracing themselves as Liberia embarks on a fight to once again leapfrog prominently at the pinnacles of UN which it crusaded to birth back in 1945 – by returning to a UN Security Council non-member status served 64 years ago. As the Government of Liberia launches the onslaught today, there are calls from ordinary Liberians to all prominent citizens, primely wizards in international relations and diplomacy, to combine their charms, and go for it. The Analyst reports what government plans and what winning the bid owes to the future of Liberia.

Postwar Liberia is entering the race for the coveted United Nations Security Council Non-Permanent (NPM) seat for 2026/2027, and the stakes are high at home and abroad for the competition.

For Liberia to obtain this feat on the world stage, it must gather a two-thirds majority of the members of the General Assembly present and voting. As there are 193 members in the GA, and supposing that all of them are present and voting, Liberia is expected to muster 129 votes to get elected.

The Africa Group at the Security Council has three slots, being the largest regional group of 28% of all United Nations members, and is tasked to play a major role in promoting the region’s interests, providing a forum for Member States to exchange opinions on international issues, carry out follow-up on the topics that are being discussed in international organizations, build common positions on complex issues and prepare statements reflecting the joint position of the Group.

Liberia once served this post, back in 1961, along with 9 other NPMs that included Ecuador, Argentina, Turkey, Poland, United Arabs Republic, fellow African country Tunisia, amongst others – a term during which colonialism was collapsing and cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States were high and played out on all levels of foreign policy and diplomacy.

Veteran Liberian diplomat Nathan Barnes of Liberia and Tunisia’s Ambassador Mongi Slim, Africa’s representatives at the United Nations, had on their hands intractable political crises on the continent, specifically the Congo crisis, which was spilling out of control.

In those days, Africa looked up to them to perform the vexing responsibilities of the continent, crisscrossing the wide world in search for solution and particularly at the United Nations, drumming humanitarian and moral supports to Africa’s troubled nations.

Those were memorable days for Liberia on the world stage, always at the head of the table for Africa, teaming up with big powers (both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council) to broker peace and security.  

Opting to Return to world prominence

Liberia’s revered place at the United Nations and around the world got truncated in the aftermath of the 1980 coup which eliminated a sitting chair of the African Union, then the OAU, and ECOWAS, Dr. William R. Tolbert – a situation that dragged the country to paralysis characterized by prolonged wars and state collapse.

Can Liberia return to the glorious moments in diplomacy and international relations, and be the once highly respected campaigner of world peace and African dignity? That’s the question many are asking as the country today sows the seed that could provide the answers in the next few months. 

Though Liberia’s permanent representatives to the United Nations, Ambassador Lewis Brown, announced during a press conference last week that Africa has endorsed the country’s candidature, sources hinted The Analyst that Zimbabwe will be a formidable foe for the Africa Group’s 2026/2027 representation.

Meanwhile, today, February 10, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and an array of government officials will be converging to launched Liberia’s bid for the UNSC NPM seat.

As a buildup to the launch, the President last week officially announced the establishment of the National Steering Committee for Liberian contestation, comprising government officials, civil society leaders, and diplomatic advisors that will lead and coordinate the campaign.

The National Steering Committee is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Internal Affairs serving as Co-Chairs. Other members include Minister of Justice, Minister of Defense, Minister of State and Director General of the

Cabinet, amongst others.

On the Steering Committee also are House Committee on Foreign Relations, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Liberia Council of Churches, National Muslim Council, Federation of Liberian Youth, Liberia National Student Union, Mano River Union Youth Parliament and other Liberian groups.

Topnotch diplomats and international relations experts including Ambassador George Wallace, Ambassador Marjon Kamara, Hon. Olubanke King Akerele, Senator Gbehzongar Findley, Senator Thomas Yayah Nimley, Hon. Monie R. Captan, Ambassador Togar G. McIntosh and Ambassador Nathaniel Barnes.

A release from the Executive Mansion noted that the establishment of the committee underscores Liberia’s commitment to global peace, security, and multilateral cooperation. Liberia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council aligns with its vision to contribute meaningfully to international decision-making on security and diplomatic matters.

The government called on all stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to support this historic bid, as Liberia seeks to elevate its role on the global stage and advocate for peace, development, and security worldwide.

Public Qualms

Even before inks got dry on the Executive Mansion release announcing the appointment of steering committee and advisors, critics alarmed that the President’s exclusion of certain eminent Liberians from the fight for the bid is disingenuous and unpatriotic.

“The task to win this bid is daunting and it requires all hands on deck, but as far as the names of those involved and announced are concerned, President Boakai needs to do better,” said a middle-level public servant who wants not to be named in print. “Liberia cannot afford to miss the opportunity, and if we do it would not be because we don’t have the czars to perform the task; it would be because Boakai failed to do the right thing, to tap on the reservoir of players available.”

He continued: “I had thought the president would enlist the two ex-presidents of Liberia, Madam Sirleaf and Mr. Weah on the list of campaigners, along with their respective diplomatic teams of experts on the list. These are individuals who served this nation at the highest level, made friends at the United Nations and around the world, and who they could factor into the lobby for Liberia’s victory.”

Said James T. Sieh, Jr., a foreign service student: “If there was any time for President Joseph Boakai to nationalize efforts not only to unite Liberians but also make huge diplomatic breakthrough, that time is now. But it is like he has once again squandered an opportunity. How can he ignore the contributions of President Weah and President Sirleaf in this great fight for seat at the Security Council? The most immediate past head of state, Weah still maintain fresh presence at the United Nations where he visited and spoke more than five times during his term. He or his diplomatic team still have friends over there. And Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, that paragon of international relations. Doesn’t Boakai know that the Iron Lady is still active and meaningful on the world stage, and her contribution in this national endeavor could add weight? I don’t really know who’s advising Boakai, but I can say for free that the worst harm is done with the exclusion of Sirleaf and Weah from the fight for Liberia’s bid.”

 Potential Benefit for the Bid

As diplomatic analysts maintain, the single most benefit for Liberia if it wins the bid is that it would pull the country from its diplomatic obscurity following years of state failure and collapse, gives it the visibility that is necessary to attract international attention and make meaningful friendship towards political and economic interests of the state. 

Been a non-permanent member is not a mundane or nominal status as others may think; it brings significant responsibility and the opportunity for global influence, as members are called upon to tackle crises around the world and have the power to impose legally binding measures on UN members.

It is expected that Liberia as a UNSC non-prominent member, like all other 10 non-permanent members, collectively and individually, can make tangible contributions to the council and have the ability to influence its decisions, including seizing the opportunities provided by the council’s procedures, as well as the informal methods by which much of its work is undertaken – which is appropriate to be known and respected and befriended by the big powers, the five permanent members.

Also, the Security Council procedures offer the NPMs a number of opportunities to make tangible contributions to the council’s work, including but not limited to, the rotating council presidency, opportunities such as chairing subsidiary bodies, which also offer occasions to influence specific issues. And Liberia could share in those opportunities, such as serving as president to play an important role in guiding the work of the council, with the power to influence the monthly programme of work and the conduct of meetings.

Those familiar with the system confided in The Analyst that this includes the opportunity for presidents to organize one or several council events around a topic of particular interest, serving critical facilitator of council negotiations, and acts as the council’s representative in interactions with other UN members and entities, outside stakeholders and the public.

In the end, Liberia’s becomes visible again, a trusted international coordinator and moderated on the world stage, and making political and economic friends with power and influence to be quickly attracted to the county in times of need now and in the future.