MONROVIA – It’s certainly a D-Day for Liberia in New York tomorrow, May 3. As a founding member of the United Nations, in fact a member of the UN’s predecessor the League of Nations, the country’s bid for its placement in the revered UN Security Council non-permanent seat will be finally decided. It is 64 years this year since the country was ever in that seat, first served in 1961 when Cllr. William V. S. Tubman was the president of Liberia. In that last 12 months or so, Liberians in the diplomatic realm have been combing the UN System and the global diplomatic community to sell their country’s ambition to climb unto the high podium of the global stage, wooing the UN electorate. Will more countries accept the Liberian bid and will vote positively for the country? Finally, tomorrow, May 3, is ultimately the fateful day; prayers and hopes are high at home, lobbies intensified abroad, and hearts are palpitating, as THE ANALYST reports.
Barely 24 hours before world representatives at the United Nations decide whether or not Liberia would return to the prestigious non-permanent of the Security Council in 64 years, national and international diplomats and partners are putting cap on lobby in support of the country, and at home, religiously sensitive citizens have resorted to fast and prayers.
Prayers at Home
During roaming interviews during the weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday being days of worship in the country – a horde of Liberians said they were in prayers with their leaders, both current and past, in their fight for the country to be elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, calling upon all the country’s traditional and historical allies to cast their votes.
“Despite the fact we had a civil war here for 14 years, and we became a trouble-child for the international community, losing our enviable place on the world stage, let many members of the UN know and appreciate the complementary role Liberia played, being a reliable helping hand, in their individual struggles at the UN or the on the world stage. They must therefore give this bid a response that indicates reciprocity,” said Pastor B. Darlington Teah of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and former member of the House of Representative from Sinoe county.
“Liberia, a founding UN member and voice strong of Africa, fought for and cast decisive votes that gave many countries the space, the equity and the freedom they sought,” he continued. “We are not here to call names of those Liberia helped. But what we can say, which many nations will not doubt, is that when they needed us most, not merely to any selfish reason, but for their rights and privileges consistent with the UN Charter, and when others did not wish to look their way, Liberia was there for them. If these country truly stand for justice, and believe in the principle of reciprocity, and if they have fear for God and devotion to the ideals of the United Nations, let them express that in their votes for Liberia. But politics being what it is, we are taking our petitions to God Almighty.”
James C. Norwoloh, a Christian evangelist, told The Analyst he was mobilizing his congregation to hold a one-day fast and prayer “so that this nation, founded on Christian principles, will take its case and bid to the Christ Jesus, and He would do the rest of the bidding”.
“We do have trust in our leaders and diplomats, but God is the ultimate decider and giver of all good things,” he said. “While politicians and diplomats are doing their thing their way, we are earnestly seeking God, for without God our efforts are in vain. But the God I serve will not let Liberia down. As a country recovering from a self-destructive war, we need all it takes to rebuild and heal; to claim and get back to what we were long well known for on the world stage – being a peaceful, empathetic and unity-preaching country and people and friend of the downtrodden and subjugated peoples of the world. I am sure that our prayers will work because God’s word does not lie: he blesses the peacemaker, the mourner of mourners, the merciful, which Liberia is or was on the world stage.”
Diplomatic, Power-Influencers Closing In
While some Liberians, mainly the ordinary people and their religious guardians are pursuing the providential remedy to the Liberia bid, the veterans in the political and diplomatic realm are putting final torches to their lobbies, leveraging their acumen, reaching out to old and new friends they can reach.
Already, all known opposition personalities of the country, including former presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Manneh Weah, as well as Alexander Benedict Cummings and many others, have announced their support and probably since started the bidding.
Though it is not known who specifically each of them is talking to, and how, these prominent Liberians do have their respective competitive advantages and spheres of influence to exercise and cultivate which, without doubt, will have their own impact in the campaign.
The mainstream bidders, from the current political administration, Foreign Minister Sara
Besolow Nyanti and team, including ranging members of the 55th National Legislature, are working around the clock, doting their final I’s as they ramp up efforts towards the end of the year-long campaign.
Since September of last year, the Liberian diplomats have been making frantic efforts in and out of the United Nations to secure a non-permanent seat for the 2026-2027 term, focusing on promoting international peace, security, and cooperation, engaging member states through diplomatic efforts, highlighting the candidate’s commitment to upholding UN principles and addressing global.
The head of the national campaign, Sara Nyanti, said in a recent public discourse on the situation held in New York that Liberia was no longer passive a recipient of peacekeeping but now an active contributor of peacekeeping, and intends to be a critical shaper of peace-building in the world.
She told the audience comprising UN officials, stakeholders, diplomatic and civil soceity, that Liberia had known the worst of war and that because of that, “we have an unshakable commitment to peace. We want to bring the lessons of our past to serve a more secure and just future for all. This seat is not just about global engagement; it is about national transformation.”
Another top-notched Liberian diplomat, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lewis Brown, spoke at the campaign close. He said: “Today is a day of celebration for Liberia. A few years ago, we were recipients of peacekeepers. All around us, our country was imploding. What an honor; what a turnaround. Today, the same African Union who sent men and women to help us find peace saw it fit to endorse us unanimously to represent our continent on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2026–2027.”
At the event were several diplomats who shared the podium, including ECOWAS representative Amb. Kinza Jawara-Njai who concurred with others that Liberia’s pursuit of the seat on the UN Security Council is a testament to the nation’s resilience, dedication to global peace and its unwavering commitment to multilateral cooperation.
She noted that ECOWAS takes great pride in supporting Liberia’s candidacy, recognizing that a seat on the Security Council will amplify the voice of our region, first in Africa, in critical discussions on international peace and security.
Italy’s Permanent Representative, H.E. Amb. Maurizio Massari, was also present, and in remarks pointed to Liberia’s legacy in peace-building, and that Liberia “has long been a trailblazer for freedom and democracy. According to Amb. Massari, given Liberia’s experience as the former post of a UN peacekeeping mission, Liberia’s voice on the Security Council would be a valuable one.
Why Liberia Needs the Seat?
A number of analysts have been speaking of the critical importance of the non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council, all unanimous in the view that it owes much divided diplomatically and economically for the country.
A recent commentary by a Liberian author, researcher and diploma, John Yormie, Jr. Essentially summarizes all that is being said about reasons why Liberia is seeking for the revered seat. He wrote:
Introduction/Background
It has been over six decades since Liberia last held a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, during the presidency of William V.S. Tubman in 1961. In this article, the author provides an overview of the Security Council’s structure and functions, particularly focusing on the non-permanent seats. The analysis explores the processes, significance, and implications of securing a non-permanent seat, specifically addressing Liberia’s candidature for the 2025-2026 elections.
This candidacy hinges on both domestic and international political dynamics, and the author assesses key local actors with international influence. Additionally, the international advantages of Liberia’s potential membership are examined, especially as the country officially submits its candidature during the 78th UNGA in New York for the upcoming mid-2025 elections.
Analysis
The UN Security Council is one of the most critical organs of the United Nations, with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. It comprises 15 member states, including 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) who hold veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. These non-permanent members are chosen to represent different geographic regions and are responsible for ensuring a broad international perspective in the Council’s work.
The Security Council has the authority to: Investigate disputes and recommend solutions, impose sanctions and authorize the use of force to maintain or restore peace and security.
Current Non-Permanent Members (2024)
As of 2024, the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council are: Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Sierra Leone and Slovenia.
These countries were elected for two-year terms which started in January 2024. They joined the existing non-permanent members: Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland.
Newly Elected Members for 2025-2026
In June 2024, the UN General Assembly elected five new non-permanent members for the 2025-2026 term. These elected members are: Pakistan (182 votes), Somalia (179 votes), Panama (183 votes), Denmark (184 votes), and Greece (182 votes).
These countries will begin their terms on January 1, 2025, replacing Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31, 2024.
The rotational nature of the non-permanent members ensures diverse representation, providing a platform for countries from different regions to contribute to the work of the Council, often focusing on issues affecting their respective regions while maintaining a global perspective on peace and security.
Building a Diplomatic Portfolio: Liberia’s Viability as a Candidate :Several critical factors are considered in evaluating a country’s suitability for the Security Council seat. Among the key qualifications are a commitment to peace and security, regional ties, peacekeeping experience, advocacy for inclusivity, and focus on pressing global issues like climate security.
Commitment to Peace and Security
Liberia’s post-war recovery and commitment to regional and global peace underscore its dedication to stability. The country has actively contributed to peacekeeping missions in Africa, particularly through ECOWAS. Serving as a non-permanent member would allow Liberia to further its efforts in promoting peaceful conflict resolution in Africa and beyond.
Peacekeeping Experience
Liberia has made significant contributions to peacekeeping missions, notably in Mali (MINUSMA) and South Sudan (UNMISS), where Liberian personnel have played key roles in civilian protection and stabilization efforts. Liberia’s experience with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2003 to 2018 provides valuable insight into post-conflict recovery and peacekeeping.
Advocacy for Inclusiveness
Liberia’s candidacy would likely prioritize the interests of Africa and the Global South. It could advocate for resolving conflicts in fragile states, promoting human rights, and addressing root causes of instability such as poverty and underdevelopment. Liberia’s voice would be vital in ensuring that less-covered conflicts, especially in West Africa, receive attention.
Strong Regional Ties
Liberia’s leadership in ECOWAS and the Mano River Union positions it as a significant regional voice. A seat on the Security Council could enable Liberia to advocate for improved regional security frameworks and economic integration to tackle issues like terrorism, trafficking, and instability.
Focus on Climate Security
Liberia, like many developing nations, is vulnerable to climate change, making it a potential advocate for addressing climate security at the UN. As a non-permanent member, Liberia could highlight the security implications of climate change, particularly for developing nations, and push for international cooperation on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Local Political Context
Domestically, Liberia’s political landscape, driven by factors such as popularity, kinship, and loyalty, presents challenges. Party loyalty and propaganda often overshadow independent decision-making. The author highlights that securing a Security Council seat would require a collective, non-partisan effort, involving notable state actors such as President Boakai, former President George Weah, and former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf despite claims of their failure and or limited efforts to adequately address pressing national concerns of poverty, nepotism, accountability, and upholding the rule of law. These individuals, alongside civil society organizations (Accountability Lab, CENTEL, NAYMOTE, etc.), could help amplify Liberia’s candidacy and secure the necessary two-thirds majority vote.
Challenges: Financial and Logistical Constraints
Liberia, as a developing country with limited financial resources, may face challenges in maintaining a robust diplomatic presence and fulfilling the demanding duties of a Security Council member. Securing financial backing and logistical support, especially from key regional allies, will be critical to navigating these challenges.
Significance of a Security Council Seat for Liberia
Increased International Influence
Holding a non-permanent seat gives Liberia a platform to influence global discussions on key security issues. Liberia’s voice could be instrumental in shaping debates on conflict resolution, peacekeeping missions, and sanctions, enhancing its diplomatic stature.
Diplomatic Prestige
Serving on the Security Council elevates a country’s international profile and reinforces its commitment to global peace. For Liberia, this could mark a revival of its international diplomacy, which has suffered from diminished visibility in recent years.
Advancing National Interests
While acting in the global interest, Liberia can still use its seat to advocate for national and regional concerns, such as climate security and post-conflict development, which align with its broader foreign policy objectives.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Membership on the Council fosters closer ties with both permanent and non-permanent members. This could lead to stronger diplomatic, economic, and security partnerships for Liberia.
Access to Privileged Information
As a member of the Council, Liberia would gain access to vital intelligence and classified briefings on global security issues, enhancing its understanding of international dynamics and threats.
Conclusion
Liberia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council presents both opportunities and challenges. While it faces financial and logistical constraints, its history of peacekeeping, commitment to regional stability, and advocacy for the Global South position it as a viable and constructive candidate. Securing this seat could rejuvenate Liberia’s progressive diplomacy, expanding its influence and promoting its national and regional interests on the global stage.
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