Bill Rogers, a former Liberian national athlete, has hailed Liberia’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as one of the greatest modern achievements in the country’s history, declaring that “we are no longer just a nation — we are a global voice.”
On June 3, 2025, Liberia secured 181 out of 187 votes during the UN General Assembly vote in New York, earning a resounding endorsement from the international community and reaffirming the country’s reemergence as a credible voice on global peace and security.
Despite living in the U.S., he remains deeply connected to his homeland, often returning to support Liberian youth and communities.
Speaking during an exclusive interview, Rogers, who is the CEO of the Bill Rogers Youth Foundation and a sport lecturer at Huston-Tillotson University in Texas, described the moment as a powerful validation of Liberia’s global relevance and peaceful transformation.
“One of the greatest achievements for me today is to be in Liberia to witness and be a part of history. Congratulations Liberia! All Liberian leaders stood together firmly to contribute to this global celebration, which Liberia deserves. We are no longer just a nation — we are a global voice,” Rogers said.
Rogers, a goodwill ambassador for Liberia from abroad and a Knight Official of the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the African Redemption — a prestigious presidential honor he received from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai — emphasized that Liberia’s presence on the UN Security Council represents more than diplomacy.
“This win is not only symbolic of what we’ve fought through as a nation — our civil war, our painful past — but it is the clearest message to the world that Liberia is ready to lead on matters of global peace, justice, and cooperation,” he said.
He further added that the victory is also a win for the ordinary people who endured hardship and the youth who will now grow up knowing that their country has a seat at the world’s most powerful decision-making table.
“Any decision made at the Security Council will now have Liberia’s voice. It’s not just about us anymore. It’s about the influence we now hold to help shape global peace and development,” Rogers explained.
Rogers praised President Joseph Boakai and his administration, particularly Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, for securing the diplomatic milestone. He highlighted that despite early criticisms questioning her appointment, Nyanti has proven her competence and vision on the global stage.
“People were criticizing her on social media, saying she wasn’t competent. But the ‘underdog’ has set the world ablaze with results,” he stated.
“When I saw her tears of joy, it wasn’t just emotion — it was symbolic. It was the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. Her tears represented a wound in our nation that is finally healing.”
Responding to questions about Liberia’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to global discourse at the UN, Rogers said Liberia’s painful past has armed it with the unique experience the world needs.
“Liberia doesn’t just have experience — we have a story. A powerful story. From war to peace. From conflict to elections. From division to unity,” he explained. “Even when things get tense, like at the Capitol or during elections, we resolve them ourselves. That’s what makes us qualified. We bring lived experience to the Security Council.”
As Liberia prepares to begin its two-year term on the UNSC in January 2026, Rogers called for internal preparation and national responsibility.
Liberia will officially assume its seat on the Council joining Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Latvia as new non-permanent members. They will replace Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms conclude in December 2025.
The UN Security Council is composed of 15 members: five permanent members with veto power, The United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
“We are being watched now. We’re not just a regular country anymore. We have to clean our house — clean our thoughts, unite our leaders, and present a Liberia that is ready to lead globally,” he said.
“This is not a title to be taken lightly. This is a credit we’ve earned, and we must use it wisely — to attract investors, to maintain peace, and to drive development.”
Rogers believes Liberia’s new global platform offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rewrite its narrative, empower young people, and attract global partnerships.
Bill Rogers, whose foundation has impacted countless youth in rural Liberia, urged young Liberians to see the UNSC victory as a call to action, not just celebration.
“To the youth, this is your opportunity. Liberia is on the map in a new way. Use it to become leaders, storytellers, peacebuilders. We can’t afford to sit back anymore,” he stated. “We need to support those who fought for this legacy, and we need to strengthen our democratic values and institutions to carry it forward.”
He concluded with a message of unity, urging all Liberians to remain engaged, motivated, and focused.
“Let’s keep celebrating. But let’s also keep doing our homework. The world has given us the microphone — it’s time to speak with one voice.”
