ALGIERS, ALGERIA – Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to global peace, regional stability, and Security Council reform as it prepares to assume its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 term. Speaking on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the 12th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa in Algiers, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei said Liberia is ready “to join other AU members to advocate for, and take the required actions, for a more robust international order under the leadership of the United Nations.”
Nyei began by extending Minister Nyanti’s greetings and apologies for her absence, while thanking the government and people of Algeria for their hospitality. He expressed Liberia’s gratitude to AU member states for the support given during its UNSC campaign, noting that the shared lessons and experiences from friendly nations have been invaluable as the country prepares for its upcoming responsibilities.
He praised the seminar’s panelists for their “profound analyses and insightful proposals,” emphasizing that Africa must now take the lead in restoring global confidence in international mechanisms that have struggled to resolve violent conflicts. According to Nyei, unresolved crises across the world have cast doubt on the credibility of the UNSC and other regional institutions, making it imperative for Africa to mobilize and assert its collective voice for meaningful reform.
Nyei expressed deep concern over increasing insecurity on the continent, citing armed conflicts, terrorism, political upheavals, and natural disasters. He pointed to the five unconstitutional government changes in ECOWAS states in recent years, with Guinea-Bissau being the latest, describing how these disruptions are compounding fragility and undermining regional counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Sahel.
As instability forces refugees into neighboring countries, Nyei explained that Liberia and other coastal states are under mounting pressure to meet humanitarian needs in host communities. He further noted that the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS threatens the region’s ability to sustain an effective collective response to terrorism. Liberia, he stressed, is calling on the African Union and partners “to support us in our efforts to strengthen ECOWAS and keep it cohesive.”
Highlighting Liberia’s priorities for its upcoming UNSC term, Nyei stated that the country will champion regional peace and security with specific attention to youth and women given their vulnerability during conflicts. He emphasized Liberia’s progress in developing a National Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security and advancing its third-generation National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security, reaffirming the country’s long-standing advocacy for women’s rights.
He also underscored Liberia’s commitment to the ongoing global push for UNSC reform, reminding the seminar that Liberia first championed this cause 54 years ago. Nyei praised Sierra Leone’s leadership on the issue during its August 2024 UNSC presidency and urged A3+ nations to keep reform efforts active until tangible results are achieved. With more than 80 percent of UNSC resolutions focused on the African continent, he said the reform agenda “is Africa’s own to lead.”
Nyei announced that Liberia has submitted its candidacy for election to the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), arguing that concurrent membership on the UNSC and AUPSC would enhance coordination and ensure consistent advocacy of African priorities across both bodies. He called for an amendment to Article 5 of the AUPSC Protocol to grant automatic council membership to AU states elected to the Security Council.
He explained that Liberia has strengthened its diplomatic capacities in New York, Addis Ababa, and Monrovia to ensure effective coordination throughout its UNSC tenure. This includes establishing a mechanism for triangular communication and engaging in bilateral consultations with past and present AU and UNSC members to align shared priorities.
Concluding his remarks, Nyei reaffirmed Liberia’s readiness to work collaboratively with A3 and AUPSC members to advance Africa’s positions in global peace, security, and development. “Liberia looks forward to working with other A3 members and the AU PSC in strengthening Africa’s positions and initiatives that advance the agenda for conflict resolution and sustainable development,” he said, pledging the country’s unwavering commitment to peacebuilding on the continent and beyond.
