Liberia’s President Joseph N. Boakai rallied support for Liberia to ascend to the African non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council 2026 when he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Boakai described the 79th Assembly as a pivotal moment for Liberia’s bid to ascend to the African non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council 2026 and solicited the support of member states to overwhelmingly vote for his country, so it can work with Council members to promote peace, justice and security.
He said Liberia is dedicated to promoting sustainable growth and ensuring human dignity for all, and is prepared to work together with the United Nations, other global allies and the international community to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals and establish a fair, peaceful and sustainable world.
President Boakai said Liberia’s commitment to unity is deeply ingrained in its history as a founding member of the United Nations and other post-war international institutions, as well as regional and sub-regional organizations.
He also affirmed his country’s strong belief in multilateralism and an international rules-based world built on shared values and principles crucial to the future, as a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world must be all-encompassing, fair, and dignified for everyone.
Meanwhile, he said Liberia has enjoyed uninterrupted peace for almost two decades following 14 years of civil conflict during which time it held four democratic elections, with last year’s election marking the fourth since the return to democratic order in 2006.
“In January of this year, Liberia achieved a historic milestone by peacefully transitioning from one democratic government to another. This progress is significant because, before the 2018 transition, the last democratic transition occurred in 1944, about 74 years earlier.
He told the gathering that Liberia is gradually fostering and solidifying a democratic culture, ensuring that democracy is here to stay, and it was time for the world to reap the democratic dividends.
Boakai the rule of law is fundamental for peace, justice, strong institutions and dignity for the human person and Liberia is taking significant strides toward openness, transparency, and accountability by empowering and supporting transparency institutions.
“Our government is committed to implementing audit recommendations by the General Audit Commission to restore public and donors’ confidence in the governance system and improve regional and international cooperation,” he said.
The President said Liberia has taken a major step in confronting its past conflict to ensure accountability and justice for crimes and other human rights violations committed during the war and promote healing and national reconciliation.
He revealed that the significant development in the transitional justice process was the signing on May 2, 2024, of Executive Order 131 to create the Office for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts for Liberia, a key recommendation from the truth and reconciliation process in Liberia.
Boakai said these actions align with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Joint Follow-Up on Impunity, and Past Human Rights Violations.
“As we embark on this process and acknowledge the enormity of this task, my government seeks the support of the United Nations, partners, and stakeholders in the pursuit of justice for victims, peace, and reconciliation,” the President said.
He said Liberia is facing a drug crisis that is affecting the youth and jeopardizing the country’s future; the epidemic, driven by international criminal enterprises and their networks, poses a severe threat.
“In response, we have not only declared the drug epidemic a health emergency and a national security threat, but we have also taken steps to address this issue by establishing a dedicated national body to tackle drug abuse in Liberia. I urge the international community to join Liberia in addressing the escalating drug crisis,” he said.
