MONROVIA – In a nationally televised address on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai declared Liberia’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council as a landmark achievement and a powerful validation of the country’s journey from war to peace. With gratitude and national pride, he hailed the 2026–2027 non-permanent seat as more than just a diplomatic triumph, calling it a symbol of resilience, global recognition, and Africa’s unwavering pursuit of peace and justice.
“This is a moment of honor and humility for our 178-year-old republic,” President Boakai told the nation. “It is not only a national achievement but also a tribute to African perseverance and the generations of Liberians who stood firm for freedom and self-governance.”
Liberia secured the seat unopposed with 181 votes from UN Member States, marking its first full term on the Council since 1964. The president acknowledged the confidence placed in Liberia by the international community and pledged to use the seat to represent not just Liberia’s interests, but those of Africa, the global South, and the cause of inclusive peace.
President Boakai recalled Liberia’s early contributions to international diplomacy, from its role in the League of Nations and as a founding member of the United Nations to the legacy of Angie Brooks Randolph, Africa’s first female President of the UN General Assembly, and former President William R. Tolbert Jr., whose advocacy for African freedom remains relevant today.
He honored the memory of the 202 UN peacekeepers who lost their lives during Liberia’s civil crisis and thanked the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the African Union for standing with Liberia through its most difficult years. “From the ruins of war, Liberia has risen as a democracy, holding peaceful elections and achieving historic power transfers,” the president emphasized.
Looking ahead, President Boakai laid out an ambitious vision for Liberia’s role on the Council. He pledged to champion conflict prevention, advocate for the reform of peacekeeping operations, promote the protection of civilians, especially women and children, and strengthen Liberia’s role as a contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.
“We will be a principled and dependable voice on the Council,” he said. “We will advocate for Africa, the developing world, and for lasting, inclusive peace.”
The president took time to express gratitude to key figures behind Liberia’s successful campaign, including Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the UN, and campaign teams in Monrovia, New York, and Addis Ababa. He also committed to broad national consultations, especially with women and youth, to ensure Liberia’s representation at the Council reflects the voices and values of its people.
President Boakai called on Liberians at home and abroad to embrace the opportunity as a shared victory. “This moment belongs to you,” he said. “When Liberia sits at the Council, it will carry your hopes, your resilience, and your dreams.”
In closing, President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to global peace and cooperation. “This new chapter in our global engagement presents opportunities for growth, collaboration, and progress,” he said. “Let us work together to build a brighter future for our nation and the world.”
