The Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Nyei has called on ECOWAS member states to endorse Liberia’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Council for the period 2026-27 at elections to be held in June 2025.

The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with ensuring international peace.
A total of 15 members are there in the Council, out of which 5 are permanent and 10 are not permanent.

If Liberia is successful being member of UNSC Council, it will found part of the 15-members that have primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council meets as needed to determine threats to peace or acts of aggression, and to take measures to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Liberia’s deputy Foreign Minister Nyei is of the conviction that Liberia being member of the Council will give the country to make contributions to the world peace and security

He made the call during the ECOWAS ministerial council meeting when he spoke on the state of Liberia’s preparedness to sit on the Security Council.
He noted that given the Guinea Bissau which initially asked ECOWAS for support for the same seat, has withdrawn their candidacy in favor of Liberia, “ECOWAS should go ahead and endorse Liberia at the ongoing ministerial council meetings and summit of heads of states and governments,” he pleaded.

Dr Nyei noted that Liberia aims to be a moral voice representing the concerns and aspirations of small states and postwar countries in pursuit of a just and peaceful world.

He said Liberia will formally launch its campaign for a seat on the UNSC for the period 2026-27 at elections to be held in June 2025.

“The AU has endorsed Liberia’s candidacy. Liberia looks to ECOWAS for support as we intend to champion the causes of small, postwar developing states,” he said.

He continue as saying, “We are currently receiving more migrants from the Central Sahel who have been forced to flee their homes due to terrorism and climate change. We intend to champion some of these issues at the UNSC”.

During the 92nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, Guinea Bissau told the body that they have since withdrawn their candidacy in favor of Liberia.

Dr. Clarence Moniba, Ph.D, the Political Leader of the Liberia National Union (LINU), will today participate in a panel discussion alongside the Prime Minister of Namibia, H.E. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, at the 3rd Nalafem Summit, one of Africa’s largest multigenerational platforms.

The Nalafem Summit, taking place in Windhoek, Namibia on July 1, 2024, is themed “Women’s Right To Lead” and brings together Africa’s women leaders from various sectors, including politics and activism, to discuss pressing issues and forge collaborative solutions.

With a commitment to advocacy, accountability, innovation, and sustained partnerships, the Nalafem Summit has played a crucial role in accelerating the realization of gender commitments across the continent since its inception in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2022.

The panel session featuring Dr. Moniba and the Namibian Prime Minister will be moderated by South African anti-racism activist Zulaikha Lali Patel. The session, themed “Intergenerational Accountability, Gatekeeping, or Co-Leadership,” will also feature other high-profile personalities such as Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, a revered anti-apartheid activist and Commissioner of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, and Jokate Mwegelo, Secretary General of the Chama cha Mapinduzi’s Youth Wing, Tanzania’s ruling party.

In anticipation of the event, Dr. Moniba remarked, “The Nalafem Summit represents a unique opportunity for leaders of all ages to come together and chart a course for Africa’s future.”

Dr. Moniba has over 15 years of experience

in public service and was a contender in the 2023 Liberian Presidential elections. His previous roles include Minister of State Without Portfolio and Chairman of the Board of the Liberia Electricity Corporation.

During President Sirleaf’s administration, Africa’s first elected female head of state, he played a leading role in infrastructure development in Liberia from 2014 to 2018, while leading the nation’s Diaspora Engagement Unit, the Philanthropy Secretariat, and the President’s Delivery Unit.

In 2018, he was awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Venerable Order of Pioneers for his distinguished service to Liberia.

The Nalafem Summit in in Namibia which

Building upon the successes of the inaugural edition in Abuja and last year’s summit in Nairobi, Kenya —  aims to foster intergenerational accountability and deepen conversations on the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto demands.

The summit will create a platform for information sharing, capacity support, and financing for young women’s leadership. Specifically, the summit will address cybersecurity challenges and combat online harassment to enable safety for women in politics, thus ensuring their full participation.

The event features panels and keynotes from distinguished speakers and partners, including former presidents, diplomats, civil society, and movement leaders, who will enrich discussions and amplify the summit’s impact.

The summit aims to contribute to the establishment of a Multigenerational Support System, promote innovation in digital access and education for girls, and recognize the exemplary leadership of African women leaders through the Nalafem Awards Ceremony.

Monrovia – A resolution for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia is expected to be put on the floor of the lower house of the National Legislature next week, in the wake of the visit of Beth Van Schaack, US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice to Liberia, FrontPageAfrica has reliably learnt.

While the details of the resolution which will be sponsored by Rep. Sumo K. Mulbah (Independent, District No. 3 Montserrado County), is still unknown, the pending resolution comes amid reports gathered by FPA that plans are underway for the trial to take place in Accra, Ghana.

Diplomatic sources informed FPA that alleged perpetrators from the country’s 14-year brutal fratricidal conflict could be tried and if convicted serve their sentences in the Ghanaian seaport town of Winneba. Winneba is a fishing town and capital of the Effutu Municipal District in the Central Region of Southern Ghana and lies 140 kilometers East of Cape Coast.

Lawmaker: Resolution on Floor Next Week

Rep. Mulbah, the bill’s sponsor confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that he will meet with Ambassador Van Schaack and expects the bill which will come in the form of a resolution to be placed on the House floor by Tuesday or Thursday next week.

Liberia’s civil war began in 1989. Though most violence ended in 1997, renewed clashes in 2003 drew international attention, and led to the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force to the country. An estimated 150,000 people – one in twenty Liberians – died in the conflict which involved widespread killing and rape of civilians and forced recruitment of child soldiers.

In 1989, Charles Taylor led an incursion from the northeast, marking the start of the civil war. Taylor had cultivated the external support of Burkina Faso, Libya, and Côte d’Ivoire, and his internal support came mainly from Gios and Manos. After just a few months of fighting, the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) split from Taylor and the NPFL. The INPFL assassinated President Doe in 1990 but fighting continued between Doe’s Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the NPFL, and the INPFL.

“The TRC report has some useful recommendations to address war crimes and atrocities. We encourage those in positions of power to look very carefully at those recommendations. It is never late to dispense justice. The individuals who suffered the crimes are still calling for justice and those who represent them should look into those calls.”

Beth Van Schaack, US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice to Liberia, during a visit to Liberia last October

FrontPageAfrica recently reported that Ghana is slated to be the venue for the hosting of Liberia’s long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court although there are already some reservations about the idea from Jerome Verdier, former head of Liberia’s erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Proposed Ghana Venue Stirring Debate

Appearing on OK FM this week, Cllr. Jerome Verdier, now a war crimes court advocate based in the United States, opined that establishing the court outside Liberia would deprive Liberians the social and economic benefit of the court. He also said, it would deprive Liberians of witnessing justice being served on their own soil. “Liberians should have the benefit of seeing justice… “The economic benefits for establishing the court, the social benefits for establishing the court, the healing and recovering process for establishing the court should be in Liberia,” he said.

FrontPageAfrica has learned international stakeholders pressing for a war and economic crimes court are concerned that protests in favor of some of the accused could cause a distraction if a trial is held in Liberia. There also concerns about the economic benefits to Ghana compared to Liberia where donor funds are needed more.

FPA has learned that some US$200 million has been set aside to sponsor the trial.

Regarding those concerns, Cllr. Verdier dismissed the popular notion that the establishment of the court in Liberia could have a negative security impact on the country. He said, Liberians are no longer willing to go back to war just to please a few groups of people who may not be satisfied with the status quo.

JNB Reportedly Hesitant on Decision

What is unclear is whether President Joseph Boakai, who has reportedly been procrastinating on signing an executive order will go along with the plan for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia.

While the President has expressed his willingness to go along, diplomatic sources tell FrontPageAfrica about growing frustration regarding President Boakai’s pace in regard to pushing for the establishment of the court.

What is unclear is whether President Joseph Boakai, who has reportedly been procrastinating on signing an executive order will go along with the plan for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia. While the President has expressed his willingness to go along, diplomatic sources tell FrontPageAfrica about growing frustration regarding President Boakai’s pace in regard to pushing for the establishment of the court.

In a recent interview with war crimes advocate Allan White, President Boakai appeared to have given his blessings on the establishment of the court saying that Liberians need to know the truth about the civil conflict that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than half of the country’s population internally and externally. 

President Boakai lamented the issue of impunity he said has been a problem for Liberia for many years. “In every country, especially a country that boasts of independence for 176 years, and you know very well that it is because of the impunity, the disrespect, and disregard for justice that created all that we’ve seen in this country, and we believe we have to lay this to rest. Let all the facts be known; that people who think they’re innocent prove their case and we can lay this to rest so that this country can move forward. It’s not a witch-hunt, it’s a matter of testifying to what you know and what you’ve done so that forgiveness can be done on the basis of merit and truth.”

President Boakai noted in the interview with Mr. White that most of the people who were involved in the civil war are aware that if they were on the other side would like the truth to be told about it. “So, the truth is truth and each and every one has been offended and so we should be happy that this would finally close the chapter of that history that has been haunting us over the years and that’s what we’re talking about.”

The President also spoke strongly about the possibility of a war and economic crimes court during his inaugural address in January. “We have decided to set up an office to explore the feasibility for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) to provide an opportunity for those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity to account for their actions in court.” 

Civitas Lament Lack of Accountability

Diplomatic stakeholders are quietly expressing concerns that such an office has not been set up since the President took office.

Today, most of the trials involving alleged perpetrators of the civil war has been spearheaded by Civitas Maxima, the Swiss-based group which has been tracking perpetrators of the civil war and bringing them to justice, recently welcomed the statement by President Boakai.

Civitas, in an Op-Ed recently published by FrontPageAfrica noted that Inaugural speeches by upcoming Liberian Presidents have always mentioned – in a way or another – the civil wars. But Mr. Boakai’s words ring with a promise of action, of decisions. And this is unprecedented.

Added Civitas: “Just because there has been no accountability in Liberia, it does not mean that there has been no justice for Liberians. We at Civitas Maxima and the Global Justice and Research Project (GJRP) have been at the forefront of it, working hard to document atrocities, coordinate with investigators and lawyers, and to provide information to national authorities, so that if there is evidence against an alleged perpetrator residing abroad, this could be tested in a court of law. Almost 21 years have passed since the end of the second civil war, and in these years 15 individuals have faced proceedings related to the wars that destroyed Liberia. We have facilitated 11 of these cases, in 6 different countries, and across 2 continents. If not at home, at least abroad some victims found some justice.”

The arrival of Ambassador Van Schaack next week is expected to accelerate discussions leading to the establishment of the war and economic crimes court.

During her last visit to Liberia last October, Ambassador Van Schaack declared that the Liberian government has to be accountable to its people, adding, “the US government is willing to support through technical and financial means to establish a tribunal.” She made the statement while visiting Liberia in October that year.

Schaack, who advises the US Secretary of State and other senior officials on issues relating to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, said it was time for the government of Liberia “to be accountable to its people.”

“The TRC report has some useful recommendations to address war crimes and atrocities. We encourage those in positions of power to look very carefully at those recommendations. It is never late to dispense justice. The individuals who suffered the crimes are still calling for justice and those who represent them should look into those calls,” Schaack further stated.

WASHINGTON DC – United States President Joe Biden has called on six African leaders, including President George Weah, to ensure peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections in their respective countries come 2023.

The U.S. president made the call at a private meeting attended by his top advisors, with President Weah and his counterparts at the White House as part of his engagements with African leaders at the ongoing U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C.

Gerald C. Koinyeneh – gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Also in attendance include Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, who will be seeking re-election just as President Weah, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is ineligible to seek a third term in February to lead Africa’s most populous country, and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo who took office in 2019 in the vast country’s first peaceful transfer of power. Also participating were Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been president since 2009, and Madagascar’s President Andry Nirina Rajoelina.

President Weah was accompanied to the meeting by Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah.

Liberia’s election under U.S. radar

While the Biden-Harris administration has made it clear that the ongoing summit is all about strengthening U.S.-Africa relations, it has not ignored one of its chief foreign policy issues – the promotion of democracy at home and abroad.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, said the president called for free elections across the continent and pledged U.S. support to the advancement of the ideals of democracy, rule of law, peace, and security and development on the continent.

“We would like to do everything we can to support those elections being free, fair, and credible. And that goes for every election taking place in 2023, not picking and choosing certain ones and setting other ones aside,” Sullivan said.

Last year Biden convened the Biden-Harris administration’s first Summit for Democracy which was held virtually.

During the event, President Weah, like his counterparts, made several commitments aimed at fostering good governance and democracy, among them, a pledge to promote free, fair, and transparent elections. The pledge also covered the promotion of fairness, transparency, and accountability in election funding, which include free and transparent elections. At the meeting with Biden, Weah recommitted his pledge.

 “I have participated in a lot of elections and even when the results were not favorable, we respected the results,” he said while speaking at the White House for the first time since he took office nearly five years ago.

“My administration will ensure a free, fair, and transparent process in 2023 and Liberia will remain a bastion of peace, freedom, prosperity, and development under our watch,” he added.

The meeting with the six leaders highlights the importance America attaches to these elections, especially in Liberia which will be conducting its fourth post-war presidential election, something observers say is crucial to the country’s fledgling democracy.

Ahead of the elections, American diplomats have been sounding out a caveat to the government to ensure that the process is free and transparent. In the build-up to the summit, United States Ambassador to Liberia Michael McCarthy warned that while the U.S. was not announcing sanctions against any official for now, the all-important goal of transparent, free, credible, and peaceful elections in October will be one important factor in decisions about additional sanctions in the months leading up to the vote.

His warning comes after three of Weah’s officials were sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department which led to their resignation from the government.

In an open letter on the observance of the International Day against Corruption, Ambassador McCarthy said GloMag is a tool the United States uses to protect itself from particularly corrupt actors, not a punishment against a country or government. It is also in no way a substitute for a domestic judicial process in the host country, including prosecution. Ultimately, “due process” or an accused’s “day in court” can only happen under Liberian law, in Liberian courts.”

McCarthy, who has been very vocal on corruption and the rule of law noted that even though the U.S. is not announcing any new sanctions on officials of the Liberian Government, he wants to assure the Liberian people that the US Government anti-corruption efforts remain robust and continuous. Ambassador McCarthy added that the Global Magnitsky sanctions imposed on three Liberian officials in August demonstrate, the U.S. government can and will employ sanctions as needed on an ongoing basis, in support of its shared development, democracy, and security goals, guided by the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption.

U.S. is ‘all in’ on Africa’s future

Prior to the meeting with the six leaders, President Biden delivered his keynote address at the Walter Washington International Conference Center. In his landmark address, the U.S. announced billions of dollars in support and investment for Africa.

“The United States is all in on Africa’s future.  And the work we’ve done over the past two years, building on decades of vital investments made under previous American presidents, has helped make possible the critical steps that I’m about to announce,” he said.

As a demonstration of his commitment, Biden announced that the United States was signing a historic memorandum of understanding with the new African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat; adding that the  MOU will unlock new opportunities for trade and investment between the U.S. and African countries, and bring Africa and the United States even closer than ever.
“This is an enormous opportunity — an enormous opportunity for Africa’s future, and the United States wants to help make those opportunities real. We’re finally implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.  It will represent one of the largest free trade areas in the world, 1.3 billion people, and a continent-wide market totaling $3.4 trillion,” he announced to thunderous applause.

At the summit, the U.S Millennium Challenge Corporation signed its first-ever regional transport compact with the governments of Benin and Niger, and it is expected to invest $500 million to build and maintain roads, put in place policies that reduce transportation costs, making it easier and faster for ships to ship goods from the Port of Cot- — excuse me, from the Port of Cotonou to neighboring landlocked countries, Biden said.

He noted that since the start of his administration, the MCC has announced new investments of nearly $1.2 billion in Africa, adding we expect the MCC to commit an additional $2.5 billion across Africa in just the next three years, supporting everything from agriculture to transportation to access to renewable energy.

The U.S. President noted that things will be done correctly which will enshrine protections for workers both across Africa and in the United States; looking out for small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs and enterprises to make sure they have a fair shot to compete; lifting up an opportunity for women-owned businesses, diaspora-owned businesses, and businesses owned by members of historically underserved communities; and supporting and investing in the continent’s vibrant and growing urban economies.

“Together, we want to build a future of opportunity where no one — no one is left behind”, he said.

Second, we’re investing to facilitate greater regional trade within Africa, including by investing in infrastructure.

The summit is seen as the U.S. attempt to re-assert its influence in Africa to counter the Chinese ever-growing involvement. It also comes after Donald Trump’s turbulent four-year tenure during which he shunned several African leaders through his America First policy and denigrating comments.

President Biden’s address was in stark contrast to his predecessor, pledging his administration’s commitment to improving relations with the continent and speaking about the important role Africa plays in international trade and development,” adding “when Africa succeeds, the United States succeeds. Quite frankly, the whole world succeeds as well.”

Discussions at the summit also focused on building on already existing programs, including, Prosper Africa – a US government initiative “to increase two-way trade” between African nations and the US launched in 2018, the Clinton-era Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, Agoa, which provides African apparel manufacturers preferential access to the US market; and the Power Africa initiative launched by President Obama to connect millions of African to the grid among others.

However, the success of such programs has been slow to realize with Africa only accounting for just over 1% of US foreign trade, which is dominated by petroleum imports from Nigeria and Angola.

In his address on Wednesday, the U.S. president spoke about a US$500m investment to reduce transport costs at a key West African port in Benin.

He also mentioned US$350m that would be spent on boosting the digital economy and said that US$15bn worth of deals had been struck at the US-Africa Business Forum.

To get things done differently, U.S. officials have announced that President Biden will set up committees that will be responsible to ensure these agreements and programs are implemented successfully.

Already the President has passed an executive order, establishing the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. The new Executive Order, according to statement issued by the White House, mandates the Secretary of State to within 180 days of the date of this order, set up the Council that will, among other things, consist of not more than 12 members, who are representatives of and reflect the diversity of the African Diaspora from African American and African immigrant communities, including individuals who have distinguished themselves in government, sports, creative industries, business, academia, social work, and faith-based activities.  Appointments to the Advisory Council shall be made without regard to political affiliation, the White House said.

Washington – Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has said the world would be a safe place if women were in positions of leadership. Her comment was based on what she described as the passion women bring to leadership, a quality that is incomparable to that of men.

“Women bring to every position the same courage, commitment, passion, but we also bring passion that the men don’t have. The passion of the value we share, the passion of the people we believe in, the passion of our family, friends, and that’s where we excel. If women rule the world, we will have such a safe world.”

By: Henry Karmo

Speaking in an interview at the ongoing conference held by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), she said, women’s ability to contribute to peace and development is well-documented with immense evidence, indicating their inclusion opens doors for success.

According to her, despite these successes, some countries including many in Africa, have failed to give women the financial, educational, and political resources they need to participate in the highest levels of leadership.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of Liberia discussed the inspiring persistence of African women in the face of male-dominated societies, the need for women to work collectively across national boundaries, and how African leaders can better promote women’s participation by ensuring gender equality is built into both their policies and practices.

The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security.

 In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully.

The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis, and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.