Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has been elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, marking a major diplomatic milestone for the West African nation once torn by civil war. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, in a national address, described the election as a defining moment in Liberia’s transformation “from the ruins of war to a credible voice for peace and democracy.”
Liberia secured the seat with 181 votes out of 187 valid ballots, far surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 129 votes. A total of 188 delegates participated, with one abstention recorded during the voting process. The overwhelming support from UN member states was hailed by President Boakai as a resounding endorsement of Liberia’s commitment to peace, international cooperation, and global diplomacy.
“This is not just a national achievement,” Boakai declared. “It is a symbol of African perseverance and a tribute to generations of Liberians who held firm to the ideals of freedom, self-governance, and global solidarity.”
Liberia last held a partial seat on the Council in 1961. Boakai noted that this full-term election reflects how far the country has come after decades of conflict, fragile peace, and hard-earned democratic gains. He credited the support of international institutions like the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the African Union in Liberia’s peace process and paid solemn tribute to the 202 UN peacekeepers who died during missions in Liberia.
“Our election validates Liberia’s journey toward peace and reconciliation,” the President said. “We are ready to contribute meaningfully to global peace-building and conflict resolution.”
In his address, Boakai pledged that Liberia will serve as a principled and dependable voice on the Security Council, particularly on issues affecting Africa and the developing world. Drawing from its own experiences, Liberia will advocate for conflict prevention, peacekeeping reform, and the protection of civilians, with special attention to women and children. He also highlighted Liberia’s growing role as a troop-contributing country to UN missions and its commitment to inclusive, bridge-building diplomacy grounded in the nation’s values of humility, honesty, and freedom.
In a nod to history, Boakai honored past Liberian leaders who elevated the nation on the global stage, including President William R. Tolbert, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Ambassador Angie Brooks-Randolph — Africa’s first female President of the UN General Assembly. He reaffirmed Liberia’s longstanding contribution to global governance, from the League of Nations to the founding of the United Nations.
“This moment is the fruit of their labor and prayers,” Boakai said, calling on all Liberians, at home and abroad, to rally behind the country’s new global role. He specifically praised Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Liberia’s diplomatic campaign teams in New York, Monrovia, and Addis Ababa for securing the historic win.
As part of his administration’s commitment to inclusive representation, Boakai announced plans to consult women and youth across the country to ensure that Liberia’s voice on the Council reflects the aspirations of its people.
“This new chapter in our global engagement presents opportunities for growth, collaboration, and progress,” he concluded. “When Liberia sits at the Council, it will be your hopes, resilience, and dreams that she will carry.”
