Monrovia, Liberia – A strategic meeting between the DRC and Liberia’s bids for Africa’s two non-permanent seats on the United Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 term was held with Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Madam Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The meeting’s agenda included advancing African peace and harmony as well as strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties between Liberia and the DRC, especially in areas that are essential to both nations’ development.
The summit also strengthens Liberia’s and DRC’s standing as African representatives at the UNSC. Both nations possess first-hand information that is necessary to address UNSC concerns given their respective experiences. In order to get ready for active participation in the Council, both foreign ministers committed to collaborating with partners on initiative and training. Despite the fact that both nations are contending for their seats without opposition, campaigning is still necessary because both need to receive the two-thirds majority vote (127) of the 193 member states.
Women, peace and security, youth peace and security, and guaranteeing regional support for the MRU are among the issues that Liberia is concerned about. DRC concurred with the same ideas, but added the connection to war and the problem of natural resources. Minister Beysolow Nyanti emphasized the necessity to continue focusing on UNSC reforms while simultaneously exploring the problem of climate and the environment as a link to natural resources and conflict.
A Joint Commission will be finished by the first quarter of 2025, according to the bilateral agreement between the two ministers, in time for the June 2025 polls. This will make it possible for a robust joint task force to assist in getting both nations ready to take on their UNSC responsibilities.
By strengthening bilateral connections, the Joint Commission would guarantee that both nations present themselves before the UNSC as powerful allies. There would be a technical conference in Kinshasa before to the Joint Commission, which would take place in Liberia.
H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, the president of Congo, was informed by both delegations headed by the foreign ministers. Minister Nyanti displayed correspondence that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai had sent him. Minister Beysolow Nyanti sent President Boakai’s congratulations and good wishes, emphasizing that the 2026–2027 UNSC seats provide both presidents a fantastic chance to leave a lasting legacy for their nations and citizens as well as the continent’s citizens.
As she and her counterpart, Minister Nyanti, strengthened their bilateral ties and spoke with one voice to take action at the Security Council in the Continent’s best interests, Minister Wagner reiterated the points that were emphasized in their previous meeting. She also emphasized the importance of joint strategies and activities that both countries must undertake.
According to Minister Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia and Barbados will conduct an event to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the boat that brought “346 families” to Liberia. Minister Wagner emphasized that cultural diplomacy is important with the Caribbeans, and that DRC will be taking on the chairmanship of the OACPS and looking to learn from the Liberia – Barbados experience. They discussed the Congolese who currently reside in Liberia as well as the DRC’s continued presence in the country through Congotown, Matadi Estate, and other areas.
Minister Beysolow Nyanti emphasized the importance of the MRU in light of ECOWAS’s vulnerability and said Liberia is leading the charge to revitalize the MRU and discuss how the bloc should handle security from a geopolitical and strategic standpoint.
The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, for his part, said he was happy to have the team in the country and to have received the letters from his brother and friend, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, congratulating him on his accomplishments as he leads his nation’s affairs in the best interests of his people. He underlined that he would like to visit Liberia because he thinks it is a divine opportunity for the two nations to share knowledge and leave a legacy, and he pledged to continue being involved and working in the interest of jointly campaigning for the two seats at the UNSC in order to promote peace on the African Continent.
