MONROVIA – The 2025 election for non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council is slated to be held on June 3, 2025, during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
The elections are for five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for two-year mandates commencing on 1 January 2026. In accordance with the Security Council’s rotation rules, whereby the 10 non-permanent UNSC seats rotate among the various regional blocs into which UN member states traditionally divide themselves for voting and representation purposes, the five available seats are allocated as follows:
There are two for the African Group up for grasp with Liberia and the Congo Democratic Republic vying; One seat is allotted for the Asia-Pacific Group, where Bahrain is the single candidate; there is also one seat allotted for the Latin American and Caribbean Group with Colombia being the sole candidate; and lastly there is One seat for the Eastern European Group with Latvia being the only candidate. Montenegro had been a candidate for the Eastern European Group until it withdrew its candidacy in a letter dated 30 January 2025 addressed to the Secretary-General from the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the United Nations.
According to the UN Charter, Article 23, “The Security Council shall consist of 15 Members of the United Nations”. Five permanent members with veto power: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. The 10 non-permanent members, five of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a two-year term.
Originally, there were 11 members of the Security Council: 5 permanent and 6 non-permanent members. In 1963, the General Assembly recommended an amendment to the Charter to increase the membership of the Security Council.
According to Oppenheim’s International Law: United Nations, “Permanent membership in the Security Council was granted to five states based on their importance in the aftermath of World War II.” Sometimes referred to as the P5, the permanent members of the Security Council have a unique role that has evolved over time.
The origin of Liberia’s quest for UNSC non-permanent seat
Liberia’s quest to seek a non-permanent seat on the UNSC was initiated during the regime of former President George Weah — between 2018 – 2023 when he stated Liberia’s aspiration for a seat on the United Nations Security Council is a testament to its historical commitment to peace, both at home and abroad.
“Our country has consistently played a vital role in peacekeeping efforts and has stood as an emblem of resilience in the face of adversity. Additionally, Liberia has played historical roles, as Africa’s first independent republic, in the fight for the independence of many sisters’ African nations. As a founding member of the United Nations and its predecessor the League of Nations, Liberia played pivotal roles in ushering and consolidating world peace and establishing global order,” former President Weah said after declaring Liberia’s intention for the UNSC non-permanent seat role.
Bearing these ideals in mind, former President Weah undertook several bilateral engagements, including seeking and securing endorsements from ECOWAS and the African Union for Liberia’s bid as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, so that Liberia’s voice would be valuable in multilateral dialogues concerning global peace and security.
Specifically, during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held on July 9, 2023, in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Liberia was unanimously endorsed as the sole candidate representing the ECOWAS region for the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2026/2027.
This endorsement was articulated in Numbers 46 and 47 of the Final Communiqué, which was signed by H.E. General Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau and then Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS. This was a significant achievement, marking Liberia’s advancement as a trusted voice in international affairs once again. The African Union subsequently reinforced this endorsement, recognizing Liberia’s role in promoting peace and stability.
The marathon-long campaign for UN Security Council non-permanent seat
As so, when the Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Administration reawakened the country’s quest for a non-permanent UNSC seat, the Government of Liberia reached out to former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, George Manneh Weah, as well as Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, and many other prominent citizens and statements asking for their supports in this endeavor.
However, the request for endorsement sparked discussions among political institutions and non-state actors in the country, particularly regarding the support from former President Weah, who initiated the process during his presidency.
While some viewed the current government’s actions as inclusive in pursuing Liberia’s bid for the UN Security Council membership, others believe it would be a significant achievement for Boakai’s Administration. But Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Daniel Sando categorically debunked that notion, stating if Liberia secures a UNSC non-permanent seat, it will bring pride to every Liberian that will be beyond their political differences and allegiances.
And with just days to go to the all-important elections for the UNSC non-permanent seat, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah says “It is a significant milestone as Liberia draws closer to being a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is a rebirth of Liberia on the international stage, having being a founding member of the UN.”
As for Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, who has been one of the key campaigners for Liberia along with Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti and others, he noted it is a greater opportunity to strengthen the country’s multilateral system in the face of global challenges, adding, “for us this is a moment of great opportunity for us as we move to the UN Security Council where we hope to push the agenda for international peace and security, the UN Security Council reform and reemphasizing the common African position on Security Council’s reform.”
Conclusively, he intoned “this is one of the opportunities that we intend to leverage to bring back together our international system and reinforce the rule based international order under the framework of the United Nations Charter.”
On her part, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti speaking on the social media platform – The Class Reloaded – highlighted the marathon-long campaign that Liberia undertook in her quest to secure the UNSC non-permanent seat. According to her, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf played a pivotal role as a special envoy for President Joseph Boakai championing the cause in Southern Africa region, including Namibia, among others.
She noted President Sirleaf as former stateswoman and global icon, her involvement with the country’s campaign for the non-permanent UNSC will indeed make impact in the decision of the 193-member countries will make when they go the polls on June 3, 2025 to elect the five non-permanent members of the UN.
Foreign Minister Beysolow-Nyanti also applauded several former Foreign Ministers of Liberia, including Olubanke King Akerele, McIntosh Gaywea, Nathaniel Barnes, Monie R. Captan, Majorn Kamara and Thomas Yaya Nimely for their roles played to campaign for Liberia, using their connections and expertise as former top diplomats of Liberia to convince member states to cast their ballots for Liberia. She also applauded Youth and Sports Minister, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu for lending his expertise in the campaign process.
Touching on how many votes Liberia needs to secure one of the five non-permanent seats of the UNSC, Minister Beysolow-Nyanti disclosed that the country seeks 129 votes out of the 193 member states’ votes to secure the seat. But, judging from the level of work done during the campaign period, Liberia is targeting 149 out of the 193 member states to adequately secure the non-permanent UNSC seat.
She expressed confidence based on the level of work done internationally to lobby member states for their support in Liberia’s quest to secure one of the five non-permanent seats of the United Nations Security Council.
Meanwhile, UN diplomatic sources say, Liberia’s quest for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council presents reciprocal socioeconomic and geopolitical benefits for Liberia, Africa, developing countries, and the United Nations System as a whole, particularly concerning the much debated and anticipated reforms in the Security Council’s structure and mandate.
It will serve as an opportunity for Liberia to persuasively advocate for the Ezulwini Consensus of 2005 and other highly supported collective African progressive reforms within the UN system, as it is one of the few African nations that participated in signing the Charter and the formation of the United Nations in 1945.
Liberia’s rich and historic role in global politics and multilateralism, along with its resilience and democratic procedural reforms, especially after the brutal civil wars (1989-2003), provides the experience and credentials needed at the Security Council during this critical moment of global politics and security concerns.
“Liberia is the queen of Africa’s global diplomacy and a key player in global multilateralism,” as propounded by Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “We (Liberia) come from a rich history of diplomacy, and it is time we return to that tradition.”
According to Minister Beysolow-Nyanti, Liberia was among the first African nations to serve on the UNSC, just 16 years after the formation of the United Nations; therefore, returning to the Council more than six decades later, with extensive experience in building resilient peace after armed conflict, supporting the international system in fostering regional, continental, and global security will be a privilege for Liberia and an added value to the Security Council.
As a small West African nation seeking a seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council is not simply for political relevance or courtesy; rather, it aims to redefine the Council’s role and strengthen its functions, particularly for developing nations and the African continent.
Liberia’s bid for a UNSC seat as a non-permanent member will strengthen its ongoing efforts and reestablish its presence in the world of diplomacy. A nation once regarded as war-torn and dysfunctional could become a key player on the global security stage if elected.
