A FEW OF THE REASONS WHY LIBERIA DESERVES A NON-PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Jonathan Paye-Layleh
Liberia Is The Oldest Republic In Africa.
Liberia has been a place of refuge for oppressed people seeking freedoms globally.
Liberia is a founding member of The League of Nations, the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU), ECOWAS, Mano River Union and many other global, continental and regional instruments.
Liberia hosted the President of Guinea and the Prime Minister of Ghana in Sanniquellie (Nimba County) in 1959 to lay the foundation for the formation of OAU.
And three Liberians, headed by veteran diplomat T. Ernest Eastman, drafted the charter of the OAU, right here in Monrovia, before the first 1963 gathering of African leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to birth the OAU.
Angie Brooks Randall, a Liberian diplomat, was the first and only Black woman to ever serve as President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Liberia stood in the vanguard of the struggle for the independence of other African countries under suppression and colonization.
Liberia successfully participated in peacekeeping operations in Congo DR and Mali.
Liberia produced Africa’s first democratically-elected President.
Liberia produced the first African to become the world’s best footballer in 1995.
Liberia broke the tie at the United Nations to ensure the creation of Israel as a country in 1948.
Liberia was home to Blacks and Africans fleeing oppression in their colonized countries in the 1960s.
Nelson Mandela and some other ANC activists lived in Monrovia and received Liberian passports in the 1960s. President Tubman sponsored their stay.
Liberia alone still accounts for more than 44 percent of the rainforest left in the whole of West Africa.
Liberia is one of the most stranger-friendly and hospitable countries in the world.
Liberia has one of the freest media in the world.
Liberians are largely industrious and very productive.
Amidst global challenges, development projects, especially roads, are happening across Liberia right now.
Gender inequality in the governance process is disappearing fast in Liberia.
The history of Africa cannot be written without the significant contribution of Liberia.
Going back into history, Liberia proved very brave and fearless against a superpower in 1917.
When it became compelling, Liberia challenged and declared war against Germany in 1917 in the first World War.
Germany, in April 1918, sent troops to frighten and destroy Monrovia; but God was on Liberia’s side. Our leaders and people took cover in places of worship and behind the rocks in Slipway.
The Germans shelled Monrovia, but their shells could not get to places where our people were taking sanctuary. The invaders could not overpower the resilient people of Liberia. They left. We are a strong people and nation.
In my thinking, if the Germans had insisted on returning to again attack Liberia, they would have encountered the strongest resistance ever, because The Liberia Frontier Force (as our army was called) would have been better prepared to deal decisively with any invading forces.
Today, even though small in size, our post-war army is one of the best-trained and probably one of the strongest in West Africa. Our police are trying.
So Liberia deserves a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
All in favor of Liberia, write: I SUPPORT in the comments column.
Jonathan Paye-Layleh