By D. Moses Wantu
Liberia had made significant milestones since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. In this article, we will just point to a few of the significant contributions of Liberia to the United Nations in fulfilling its mandate.
In 1945, Liberia had a delegation to the San Francisco meeting headed by Hon. Clarence L. Simpson witnessed and participated in signing the charter at the ceremony held at the Veterans’ War Memorial Building on the 26th of June, 1945. This charter brought to existence what is referred to as the United Nations.
Liberia has been permanently represented since the establishment of the United Nation Headquarters in New York. Names of individuals that represented Liberia are: the late former President Charles D. B. King, Nathan Barns, Rachael Bright, Marjon V. Kamara, Lewis G. Browne and several others .
On the San Francisco meeting, Liberia was represented by Hon. Clarence L. Simpson, Chairman,
Hon. Gabriel L Dennis, Minster of Foreign Affairs, and Associate Chairman, Hon. Lemuel Gibson, Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hon. Richard A. Henires, members, and Hon. Emmett Grant’s, Member.
Liberia was one of the 33 ( thirty-three countries that voted on November 27, 1947 for the United Nation Resolution calling for the partitioning of Palestine into two separate and distinct states; One Arab and the other Jews, as a result, the state of Israel was established.
Liberia Ambassador to the UN , Rev. T. Dusumu Johnson cast the 33rd vote that led to the creation of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, as a nation-state.
In 1961, Liberia, again as a member of the Security Council, brought to the council attention the atrocities that were committed by the Portuguese against the people of Angola. As a result, the council adapted a resolution on the issue raised by Liberia.
Liberia gave notice in the United Nation Security Council when the Council in 1961 failed to adopt a resolution on the complaint of Tunisia against the French troops in Bizerte. Upon that notice, the Council seek to convene a special session of the General Assembly on this question, and Liberia put her side notice into effect, a special session was convened and a resolution was adopted calling for the withdrawal of French troops from Tunisia.
At the twentieth session of the General Assembly, Liberia, through her secretary of state, Hon. J. Rudolph Grimes proposed that following a decision of the Assembly to terminate the mandate for South- West Africa, which was entrusted to South Africa, the president of the Assembly should appoint an Adhoc committee to study and recommend practical means by which South-West Africa should be administered and thus lead the people to the exercise of their right to self-determination and independence. This proposal was endorsed by some members of the UN who submitted a resolution to this effect, which was adapted by the assembly.
Liberian government desire and determination to serve on the UN Security Council again as a non-permanent member pronounced by our foreign policy architecture,
(the Executive Branch) is a welcoming initiative.
Liberia has the experience and passion to serve on the Security Council.
It is just that we need a coordinated and holistic approach by all Liberians in order for this vision to be achieved because Africa, especially Liberia, stands lots to benefit.
Every Liberian, regardless of our political affiliation, should see this as a wake-up call and disregard the party politics.
Party politics has done us more harm than good. There is a need to put Liberia above all if this country must develop. Call by our leaders should be embraced and accepted by all Liberians.
I am very optimistic that Liberia can do better if given the opportunity.
When Liberia gained her independence in 1847 as the only nation in the dark continent of Africa, Liberia did not act selfish to sit by and witness the struggling African colonies die in their liberation struggle. Liberia instead stood her ground to champion the cost for African colonial liberation.
It is my thought and honest belief that Liberia is noted advocating for other people who were victims of misrule in the hands of their colonial masters. Liberia did not push only her agenda. We saw the role Liberia played in the Congo war when she dispatched manpower on a peacekeeping mission in the Congo.
Liberia had served high profile positions in UN and other continental and sub-regional bodies, and her ( Liberia) service on these organizations brought light to Africa and the world at large.
Citing these instances, there is a need for government to identify potential and influential UN member countries to lobby with in seeking their support as Liberia serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, 2026-2027 term.
Frankly speaking, as Liberia has been afforded the chance to be on the Security Council, humanity stands a lots to gain.
We are living witnesses to the role that Liberia has played since 1945 as a member of the United Nations General Assembly. Bravo to Liberia!
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