By By: The People News Online
New York – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has told world leaders that trust in multilateralism is broken and Africa can no longer be excluded from permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation,” President Boakai declared that “Eighty years of patience is enough.”
“Africa is home to 1.5 billion people and accounts for nearly one-third of UN membership. Yet eighty percent of Security Council mandates concern African peace and security, while Africa remains without a single permanent seat. This historical injustice is no longer tenable,” Boakai told the Assembly.
The Liberian leader reaffirmed Liberia’s backing for the Common African Position, demanding no fewer than two permanent seats with all rights including the veto, plus additional non-permanent seats.
On global governance, Boakai said the answer to fragmentation “cannot be less multilateralism. It must be better multilateralism.”
He used his address to highlight key issues:
On Peace & Security: Boakai, speaking as a current member of the Security Council, said Liberia is battling transnational organized crime, cyber warfare and drug trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea. He called for international support for coast guard surveillance, intelligence sharing and port security.
On Finance & Development: He called for urgent reform of the international financial system, saying developing nations are being squeezed by unsustainable debt and high interest rates. He demanded fairer voice and vote for developing countries at the World Bank and IMF, noting their governance “still reflects the world of 1945.”
He said Liberia is driving transformation at home through the ARREST Agenda – Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism – with progress in revenue and rural roads.
On Climate Justice: Boakai reminded the world that Liberia harbors 42% of the Upper Guinean Rainforest – a vital global carbon sink – yet contributes virtually nothing to global emissions while facing coastal erosion and flooding. He called on industrial nations to honor climate financing pledges.
On Youth, Women & Technology: With over 60% of Africa under 25, Boakai called for investment in STEM and digital literacy. He said when women lead, peace lasts longer, and backed binding global regulation of Artificial Intelligence, especially in warfare.
“Correcting this imbalance is not a favor to Africa; it is necessary to restore the United Nations’ trust, credibility, and legitimacy,” Boakai concluded.
