As the world prepares for the crucial vote on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to elect new non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Liberia stands at the threshold of a historic opportunity. With just one day remaining, the nation’s campaign for a seat at the world’s highest decision-making body on matters of peace and security has gathered significant momentum. The candidacy, led by the government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, is not only a strategic diplomatic move but also a powerful statement that Liberia is ready to reassert itself on the global stage after decades of post-conflict rebuilding.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state and Nobel Peace Laureate, has been appointed as a Special Envoy for the campaign. Her presence in New York, lobbying global leaders and permanent representatives, brings gravitas and unmatched diplomatic credibility. It speaks volumes about the seriousness with which Liberia views this effort. Adding further weight is the endorsement of former President George Weah, a gesture that reflects rare national unity on the international front. In a country often divided along political lines, the bipartisan support for Liberia’s bid sends a message to the world that the nation is united in its pursuit of global relevance.
Securing a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council would mark a transformative milestone for Liberia. It would position the country as an active contributor to global peace and security, enabling it to bring African and Global South perspectives to discussions that often disproportionately reflect the interests of powerful nations. For too long, small and developing countries have been underrepresented in global security decision-making. Liberia, with its unique history of founding the UN and recovering from brutal civil wars and health crises like Ebola, has a moral and experiential voice that matters. It understands fragility, conflict resolution, and international cooperation not just as concepts, but as lived realities.
A seat at the table would also deepen Liberia’s diplomatic relationships and economic partnerships. Being on the Council allows for closer collaboration with major powers and emerging economies.It opens doors for greater development assistance, investment, and influence over the crafting of international mandates, many of which directly affect Liberia and its West African neighbors. From peacekeeping to sanctions, from conflict prevention to post-conflict recovery, the issues deliberated at the Security Council often touch Liberia’s regional interests. Having a direct voice in those decisions ensures that the concerns of ECOWAS and the Mano River Union are heard loud and clear.
Domestically, this bid also serves as a tool for national pride and institutional strengthening. It offers a renewed sense of purpose for Liberia’s diplomatic corps and a challenge to uphold democratic values, accountability, and good governance. As the world turns its eyes to Liberia during its two-year term, should it be elected, the country will have a platform to showcase reforms, leadership, and commitment to global peace. This external pressure to perform can become an internal motivator to improve domestic systems, reduce corruption, and elevate civic confidence in Liberia’s place in the world.
Some may argue that Liberia should focus more on internal development than global visibility. But this is not an either-or scenario. A seat on the Security Council does not distract from domestic priorities; it can enhance them. The international relationships, access to resources, and improved standing that come with such a position can translate into better infrastructure, education, security, and health outcomes. It allows Liberia to tell its own story, frame its own challenges, and propose solutions rooted in experience and partnership.
With the backing of President Boakai’s administration, the tireless work of former President Sirleaf, and the endorsement of former President Weah, Liberia’s bid is both timely and symbolically powerful. It represents continuity, unity, and ambition. As the vote approaches in New York City, the international community has an opportunity to affirm that small nations with big histories and even bigger futures deserve a seat at the table where peace is made and preserved.
Liberia’s time is now.
