Madam Sirleaf Decries Democracy’s Decline -Demands Women’s Leadership at UNAOC Summit

MONROVIA – Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued a sweeping challenge to world leaders, warning that democracy is retreating before resurgent authoritarianism. Addressing the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Summit in Luanda, Angola, she framed the moment as a test of multilateralism itself. Her address moved deliberately from geopolitics to demography, spotlighting Africa’s youth bulge as both promise and pressure. But her sharpest thrust targeted the persistence of gender exclusion, noting no woman has ever led the United Nations in eighty-one years. That omission, she argued, exposes the gap between democratic rhetoric and institutional practice. Whether the summit converts her moral appeal into concrete reform commitments remains the unresolved question. THE ANALYST reports.

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has told world leaders gathered in Luanda, Angola, that the international community is witnessing a troubling retreat from the democratic gains of recent decades. She warned that global cooperation and multilateralism are in decline, with authoritarianism staging a return that recalls the era when conflicts and dictatorships shaped the destinies of nations.

Speaking at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Summit, the former Liberian leader said the gathering’s theme could not be more timely. The conference convened under the banner “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars, and Respect for International Law.”

A World Sliding Backward

“We face a world today that reminds us of the years when conflicts and dictatorships shaped the destinies of nations,” Madam Sirleaf said. She described the present moment as “a world of uncertainties for many of our countries,” one demanding renewed focus on peace and respect for international law.

Democracy Beyond Elections

Madam Sirleaf reflected on the years when wars and militarism were largely replaced by democracy across the globe, including in Africa. She recalled that larger countries endorsed what she called the dogma of people power, the inescapable fact that nations fare better when democratic principles are adopted.

“In these changing times, we must be reminded that democracy is more than just elections,” she cautioned. “It is the assurance that a nation’s wealth and resources must be used in a manner that fosters the well-being of its people.”

She also observed that Africa is undergoing its own transformation, moving from the aspirational principles of Agenda 2063 toward the substance and reality of a continent long awaited. In that connection, she endorsed the agenda of the Accra Reset and applauded the “Framework for a Green Economy,” which emphasizes sustainability, economic resilience, and inclusive growth through strong partnerships between governments and the private sector.

Africa’s Youth Imperative

Turning to demography, the former President said that by 2030, young people will make up approximately 25 percent of the world’s population. Africa, she noted, will represent nearly 60 percent of that youthful cohort while experiencing population growth of 30 million people each year.

“These young people will be essential contributors to a technologically advanced world,” she said, stressing that each will need education, skills, jobs, and a voice in government. She urged African leaders to face the reality of democracy and ensure that young people receive their fair share of benefits and a seat at the decision-making table.

Women Still Left Behind

Madam Sirleaf reserved her most forceful appeal for what she called her final and most critical point: women. Globally, she said, women represent 49.7 percent of the population, rising to an impressive 50 percent in Africa, and constitute the backbone of humanity.

While applauding the perseverance of women worldwide and commending leaders who have advanced supportive policies and initiatives, she said progress remains incomplete. “Despite this progress and the ability to seek equality through education and justice, we find that women are still largely left behind across the globe,” she said.

To illustrate, she pointed to the United Nations, established in 1945 and marking its 81st year, whose Secretary-General’s second term concludes December 31, 2026. “Shamefully, no woman during this entire period has been granted the opportunity to hold this position,” she said.

Time for Change

She concluded that no policy reform is more urgent for the world or any nation than the representation and inclusion of women in leadership. “By prioritizing their participation, we can unlock immense potential and drive transformative progress,” she declared. “As this Summit emphasizes, it is indeed time for change.”