President George Weah has announced the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of Liberia’s desire for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Liberia is seeking to succeed its neighbour, Sierra Leone as representative of the Western Africa Region at the top level of the global body.
President Weah, according to the Executive Mansion, the seat of government in the capital Monrovia, put his country’s case to fellow West African leaders at the just concluded 63rd Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS heads of state and government in Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau.
“The President sought the bloc’s unflinching support for a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council to represent the Western African Region for the period 2026 to 2027,” the statement said, announcing President Weah’s return to the country on Monday July 10.
The UNSC, one of six organs of the UN, has the most significant task, that of maintaining international peace and security.
Only five countries – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – have permanent status in the council. The group, collectively known as the P5, each wields the power to veto a resolution.
The remaining 10 members are elected to serve on a rotational two-year, non-consecutive term without veto power. But the seats in the non-permanent category are allocated per region. Africa usually has three, which are currently occupied by Mozambique, Ghana and Gabon.
Sierra Leone and Algeria were elected last month to replace Ghana and Gabon for the period 2024 to 2025. Liberia intends to take on from its neighbour, if its bid is successful.
Weah had been out of the country since 1st July. He first visited the State of Israel, from where he left for Bissau to join fellow West African leaders.
The Liberian President described his trip to reporters at the Roberts International Airport as “holy, fruitful and beneficial” to the country and people of Liberia, according to the Executive Mansion statement.
During his visit to Israel, Weah met with its leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netahyanh and President Isaac Herzog, on strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Liberia is seeking to benefit from Israel’s support towards its agricultural sector.
Weah also reportedly announced that Liberia was considering Israel’s request to open an embassy in Israel, noting that the Foreign Ministry will work out the detailed modalities.
“I think it is good for Liberia to have an embassy there because it will enable us to serve the interest of the citizens there, and for the enhancement of bilateral ties with Israel,” he told journalists.
