BREAKING NEWS: Liberia Secures Non-Permanent Seat on United Nations Security Council

Monrovia, Liberia: In a historic diplomatic achievement, the Republic of Liberia has been elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 

Liberia secured the historic victory, winning a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 terms. 

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia to the 15-member U.N. Security Council for two-year terms starting on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Security Council is the only U.N. body that can make legally binding decisions such as imposing sanctions and authorizing the use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.

Running unopposed, Liberia needed at least 128 votes and overwhelmingly secured the seat with 181 votes during the elections held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

The momentous event was watched live by President Joseph N. Boakai, including top government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Scores of other government officials, lawmakers, and cabinet ministers gathered alongside Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti to witness the historic announcement on giant screens.

Liberia’s success followed an aggressive diplomatic campaign, which saw the country rallying support from regional blocs, international organizations, and individual countries.

Notably, the campaign also garnered bipartisan national backing, with prominent opposition figures joining the effort in a rare display of unity.

This victory marks Liberia’s return to the global diplomatic stage since 1961 and offers a unique opportunity for the nation to contribute to international peace and security over the next two years.

Liberia’s successful bid marks a significant milestone in the nation’s foreign policy and international engagement. This is the first time in recent history that Liberia will serve on the world’s most powerful diplomatic body, responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

“This victory is not just for Liberia, but for the entire West African region,” stated a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “It demonstrates global confidence in Liberia’s growing leadership on issues of peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation.”

Liberia will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and will join four other newly elected non-permanent members. The position allows Liberia to participate in key global decisions involving conflict resolution, international sanctions, and peacekeeping missions.

The achievement is being hailed as a proud moment for the country, reflecting its resilience, democratic progress, and commitment to global peacebuilding.

Further updates and official reactions from national leaders and international partners are expected in the coming hours.

History 

Liberia was first elected to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member in 1961.

This made Liberia one of the first African countries to serve on the Council following the wave of independence movements across the continent in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

So if Liberia has just been re-elected in 2025, it marks the second time in history and the first time in over six decades that Liberia will hold a seat on the Security Council. That adds even more historic significance to the achievement.