ECOWAS Endorses Liberia’s Candidacy

...For UN Security Council Membership

By New Republic Liberia

MONROVIA-During the 63rd Ordinary Session of Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Guinea-Bissau, President George M. Weah expressed Liberia’s interest in becoming a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

In a communiqué delivered by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission on Sunday, July 9, 2023, it was announced that Liberia would receive the full backing of the regional bloc in its pursuit of this position at the United Nations.

The communiqué, which was signed by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray and approved by H.E. Gen. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea Bissau and the immediate former Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, emphasized that Liberia’s candidacy had been officially endorsed during the ECOWAS Summit held in Bissau, Guinea Bissau.

It was also confirmed that Guinea-Bissau’s candidacy for a Non-Permanent Membership to the UN for the term 2027 to 2028 would be subsequently endorsed after Liberia.

The United Nations Security Council consists of 15 member countries, including five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States who possess veto power over resolutions and decisions.

The remaining 10 seats are non-permanent and are filled through elections conducted by the General Assembly in line with geographical distribution by region. Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority or 128 votes, even if they run uncontested.

The elections for the non-permanent seats including the one for the West Africa region are scheduled to be held in June 2025 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

In a related development, Nigeria has been elected as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The ECOWAS Commission and its President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray expressed confidence that Liberia’s endorsement by ECOWAS would strengthen the representation of the West Africa region in the United Nations Security Council and contributes to promoting peace, security, and development in the international arena.

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Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia. 

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