What Should We Expect?
By Alphonso W. Nyenuh, MA; ILR
On June 3, 2025, the Republic of Liberia was elected to the United Nations Security Council, as one of ten (10) non- permanent members of that powerful world body. This is the second time that Liberia is ascending to this high place of global leadership, the first in 1961, more than six decades ago.
Liberia is assuming the Security Council seat at a very critical moment in world affairs.
- The world appears to be recoiling from the principles of internationalism and a liberal world order upon which the United Nations was founded towards nationalism, the latter being a factor in the two World wars (WWI & WWII) that upended the world in the 1940’s.
- The world is confronted with terrible wars brewing in Ukraine and Russia, in Palestine and Lebanon, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region of Africa, to name a few.
- Economic inequality and poverty appear to be rising, with rich nations getting richer and poor nations getting poorer.
- Global power and decision making remain firmly situated in the hands of a few rich nations that have been refusing to expand the permanent seats on the Security Council to include emerging nations in Africa and Asia.
- Nationalist leaders from poor countries like Burkina Faso and Mali, ravaged by colonialism and neo- colonial control, are rising up and taking bold steps to break from the vestiges of their colonial past.
It is against the backdrop of this world order that Liberia, the first independent nation on the continent of Africa, is joining the highest decision-making body on issues of global peace, security, economic and social cooperation, and development.
What impact can Liberia have on the Council and what are the expectations? First, what is the UN Security Council and what power do non- permanent members have?
WHAT IS THE SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council is the United Nations’ principal crisis-management body, charged with maintaining global peace. TheCouncil has five (5) permanent members – the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, and China- (known as the P5) and 10 non- permanent members. The five permanent members have veto power.
The Council’s five permanent and ten elected members meet regularly to assess threats to international security, including civil wars, natural disasters, arms proliferation, and terrorism. The presidency of the Security Council rotates on a monthly basis, giving the Council’s ten non permanent members some agenda-setting influence. This means that Liberia will have the opportunity to raise issues of concern when it comes time for it to set the agenda for the Council; in addition of course, to participating in debates on issues raised by other countries.
Let’s explore some of the issues that Liberia could and should influence.
THE DEVELOPING WORLD & AFRICA’S QUEST FOR A PERMANENT SEAT
The first challenge that Liberia must confront as a regional representative is the question of Africa’s quest for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Developing countries from Africa and Asia have long argued that the Council’s structure is not representative and does not reflect current geopolitical realities. Since its founding the power structure of the UN Security Council has remained unchanged, with the same five countries wielding veto power over issues of global peace, health, security and development. Africa and other regions have been advocating for permanent seats on the Security Council to reflect regional representation.
Liberia must use its place on the Security Council to lead the charge for expanding permanent representation on the Security Council to include Africa and other unrepresented regions. Obtaining a permanent seat for Africa on the Security Council may not be far-fetched at all, as there appears to be support for an African representation from the five permanent members of the Council. Liberia will cement its place as a leader in Africa and global affairs in general, if it were to achieve this feat.
ENDING WARS AND CREATING A PEACEFUL WORLD ORDER
The Palestine Question: The Palestine question remains unresolved and the region remains embroiled in war and destruction. Hundreds of thousands continue to be killed, starved and maimed even today. The UN and much of the World have said that the solution to the problem is a two- state solution- a State of Israel belonging to the Jewish people, and a Palestinian state. In the past, Liberia has been a leading voice on the Israel- Palestine question, often advocating for peace and a two- State solution. Liberia must use its voice on the Security Council to advance this issue.
The Russia- Ukraine War: The war between Russia and Ukraine has killed hundreds of thousands, maimed many more, and devastated countless lives. Yet, the UN Security Council has played a very limited role in efforts to end the war. As a member of the Security Council Liberia has the challenge of using its influence and agenda-setting authority to center the need to end this war on the Security Council’s agenda.
Ending the War in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: War has been brewing for decades now in the Great Lakes region of Africa, involving numerous players including Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. According to the Council on Foreign Relations Since 1996, the conflict in the region has led to approximately six million deaths. Practically every generation born in the region since independence has seen War, genocide or destruction. As a member of the Security Council, Liberia can play a pivotal role in putting this war on the agenda of the world and bringing an end to this long- running nightmare.
ADVANCING SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goals which the UN hopes to achieve by 2030 include
- ending poverty in all forms everywhere;
- ending hunger;
- achieving gender equality;
- ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages; and
- ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Liberia, Aftica and much of the developing world are lagging far behind in these human development indexes. Many do not have the resources or lack the know-how in how to unlock their potential. While the achievement of national development rests on the shoulders of individual nations, the United Nations can play a crucial role in addressing economic inequality and poverty which undergird its founding principles and are firmly articulated in its Sustainable Development Goals for the world.
A Giant Re-emerging?
Liberia is a founding member of the United Nations, one of the 50 nations that signed the United Nations on November 2, 1945. Liberia was also a founding member of the League of Nations, the global forerunner organization to the United Nations. It signed the peace treaty on June 28, 1919 that ended World War I, and the Treaty of Versailles which officially established the League of Nations. The mission of the League, just as that of the UN today, was to prevent future wars and to foster international cooperation in economic, social, political and other issues as the foundation to maintaining world peace and development. Continentally, Liberia is a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now AU (African Union).
Throughout its participation in international affairs, Liberia has distinguished itself as a champion of freedom, justice and global peace; advocating against Apartheid in South Africa, an end to colonial rule in Africa, and supporting the independence struggles of African nations, as well as the self-determination rights all peoples around the world.