Liberia eyes strategic impact during upcoming UN Security Council presidency

Ambassador-at-Large B. Elias Shoniyin has called for Liberia to utilize its upcoming December presidency of the United Nations Security Council to drive meaningful diplomatic impact and elevate African interests. Speaking at the George W. Wallace, Jr. Ambassadorial Lecture Series, Shoniyin emphasized that Liberia’s transition from a recipient of UN peacekeeping to a member of the Security Council provides the nation with unique moral authority to champion conflict prevention, mediation, and post-conflict recovery.

Shoniyin argued that the presidency should be treated as a ‘whole-of-government national project’ rather than a task solely for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He urged for the involvement of various sectors, including finance, commerce, academia, and the private sector, to ensure the leadership role leaves a lasting institutional legacy. He cautioned that ‘activity is not impact,’ suggesting that success should be measured by strengthened bilateral relationships, advanced peace-and-security priorities, and new development partnerships rather than just the number of meetings attended.

Additionally, Shoniyin highlighted the importance of addressing insecurity in the Sahel, noting that regional issues such as extremism, organized crime, and displacement directly affect Liberia’s national security. He advocated for closer cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS to address these challenges.