Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee has pledged her full support to the Government of Liberia in its bid for a Non-permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council. Madam Gbowee in a Facebook post said the United Nations played a pivotal role in abating the conflict in Liberia in 2003, a Non-permanent Seat on the Security Council will allow Liberia to continue to make contributions to the legacy of peace and conflict resolution that the nation and citizens have worked tirelessly to cultivate.
It can be recalled that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, in a letter to Madam Gbowee said Nobel Peace Laureate’s leadership and advocacy during the nation’s civil crisis have left an indelible mark on Liberia’s history and serve as a beacon of hope for women and peacebuilders worldwide.
Minister Nyanti informed Madam Gbowee that the formal launch of the bid will take place at the United Nations Headquarters during the upcoming UN General Assembly on September 27, 2024, saying, this momentous occasion marks an important chapter in Liberia’s engagement with the global community, and “we are reaching out to our nation’s most esteemed figures to help amplify our message to the world.”
The letter said Liberia’s history with the UN is one of partnership and transformation. “In 1961, our nation held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, and in the years following, the United Nations played a critical role in helping to end Liberia’s civil war in 2003. The UN peacekeeping mission, which spanned from 2003 to 2018, was instrumental in maintaining stability, giving us the foundation upon which Liberia has rebuilt itself. Today, Liberia stands as a proud contributor to global peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts through the United Nations, demonstrating our commitment to the international community.”
Minister Nyanti said with Madam Gbowee’s pivotal role in Liberia’s peace process and her powerful advocacy for women and peace globally, the government believes her voice would greatly enhance this campaign.
The Foreign Minister said Gbowee’s contributions to the peace in Liberia, culminating in her Nobel Peace Prize, have made her one of the nation’s most prominent and influential figures and as government seeks to secure this important seat on the UNSC, they would be deeply honored if she could join other prominent figures, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President George Manneh Weah, and current President Joseph N. Boakai, in supporting Liberia’s bid for the UNSC.
Minister Nyanti said the government would be grateful if she could provide a brief video message of approximately one minute in length, endorsing Liberia’s bid and could join them and participate in the actual launch at the United Nations Headquarters on September 27, 2024, at 2:30pm.
She said Gbowee’s message and presence would emphasize Liberia’s historical contributions to the United Nations and the global peace and security agenda, and her personal commitment to advancing these efforts.
“We know the power of your-message and the strength of your voice, and we sincerely hope that you will consider this request. Your support would further elevate Liberia’s bid and continue to showcase the critical role that women, especially Liberian women, play in fostering global peace and security,” the letter said.
