Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia made a historic comeback to the UN Security Council on Friday, January 2, 2026, when it formally began its first full elected mandate on the most powerful peace and security council in the world. The country’s shift from post-war recovery to global responsibilities is exemplified by its climb.
Speaking at the Security Council Flag Installation Ceremony, Amb. Lewis Brown, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, expressed President Joseph N. Boakai’s best wishes for a new year and thanked Slovenia, Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Korea for their stewardship of the Council during the 2024–2025 term.
Additionally, Amb. Brown praised Kazakhstan for continuing the custom of installing flags, which stands for both duty and honor, and congratulated Somalia on taking over as Council president. Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the UN described the event as more than ceremonial as the red, white, and blue “Lone Star” was raised. He added that it was presented as a pivotal moment in the country’s history, one based on democratic resiliency, hard-won peace, and an unwavering commitment to multilateralism.
He said, “The West African country returns not as a recipient of international security but as a contributor, eight years after the United Nations lowered its flag in Liberia, signifying the end of its peacekeeping mission.” He affirmed that Liberia described itself as peaceful, democratic, stable, and prepared to take on global responsibilities more than 22 years after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement put an end to the country’s civil war.
He recalled that 181 UN Member States supported Liberia’s election to the Council, which was seen as a resounding endorsement of its voice and ideals, which prioritize collaboration over conflict and communication over divide. Liberia’s return, according to officials, confirms the success of international cooperation by the UN, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other organizations that helped the nation emerge from strife.
According to Brown, Liberia promised to carry out its mandate in accordance with President Boakai’s vision, guided by lived experience, adherence to the UN Charter, and a strong conviction that stability everywhere is threatened by instability anywhere. He indicated that its perspective on the Council will be global, centered on reaching a consensus, diplomacy, and the pursuit of enduring peace, even though the nameplate reads Liberia and the seat represents Africa.
“With its flag now flying among the world’s decision-makers, Liberia’s message was clear: the nation that once depended on international peacekeepers is ready to help shape global peace and security,” the Permanent Representative of Liberia stated.
