NATIONAL NEWS
Ethiopia – Africa must assert itself decisively in shaping the future of the United Nations, Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. declared in Addis Ababa at a high-level AU consultation ahead of the United Nations Secretary-General election.
Speaking to heads of state, African Union officials, and former leaders, President Boakai warned that the UN faces a “crossroads” amid rising global challenges, from prolonged conflicts and fragile development gains to declining public confidence in multilateral institutions.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
“Africa must not be a peripheral participant or passive observer,” Boakai said. “As a continent that represents more than a quarter of UN member states and engages the UN across every pillar of its work, we have both the responsibility and the right to articulate our expectations for future leadership.”
The former Liberian vice president highlighted Africa’s long-standing engagement with the UN, noting that Liberia is one of only four African countries that were original signatories to the UN Charter.
Yet, despite its contributions to peacekeeping, development, and humanitarian initiatives, the continent’s voice has often been sidelined in critical reform debates.
Boakai praised the African Union Committee of Ten (C10) for ensuring that African perspectives remain central to discussions on UN reform, emphasizing the need for predictable financing, stronger prevention and mediation, and coherent coordination among UN agencies on the ground.
“The election of the next Secretary-General is not merely administrative,” he said. “It will shape the tone, priorities, and credibility of the Organization at a time when bold leadership is urgently needed.”
The Liberian leader’s remarks underscore a growing continental push for a UN that is effective, accountable, and attuned to the realities of developing countries.
He urged African nations to engage collectively, speak with one voice, and demand reforms that go beyond budgets to tackle systemic challenges affecting UN performance.
As Africa prepares to play a decisive role in the upcoming selection of the UN’s top leadership, President Boakai’s call signals a turning point: the continent is ready to move from observer to agenda-setter in global multilateral affairs.
