Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, concluded an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 9, 2025, where she lobbied for the Kingdom’s support for Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
During her visit, Minister Nyanti engaged in discussions with senior Saudi officials, expressing gratitude for the long-standing and positive relationship between the two nations. She specifically acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support to Liberia, particularly its contributions to the Liberian Muslim community through the provision of pilgrimage slots. She also lauded the Saudi government’s generous US$2 million donation towards renovation works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a part of broader assistance from the Saudi Fund for Development. Furthermore, Minister Nyanti expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s US$500,000 donation for food assistance and 50 metric tons of dates aimed at supporting Liberia’s humanitarian needs.
A key focus of Minister Nyanti’s diplomatic mission was to secure Saudi Arabia’s endorsement for Liberia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. She underscored Liberia’s dedication to promoting global peace and security and emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia’s backing for their candidacy.
Beyond the UNSC bid, Foreign Minister Nyanti also discussed Liberia’s development agenda with Saudi officials. She highlighted the critical need for increased investment from Saudi Arabia, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. Minister Nyanti called for enhanced bilateral cooperation to accelerate Liberia’s development and improve the livelihoods of its citizens. She conveyed a message of solidarity from His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., reiterating his eagerness to work closely with the King of Saudi Arabia to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on economic, technical, and cultural collaboration.
For his part, the Deputy Foreign Minister and Acting Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr. Waleed A. Elkhereiji, commended Liberia for its political maturity, particularly the peaceful transition of power during and after elections. He lauded Liberia’s political stability as a positive example for the African continent and a model for sustainable development and peace. Deputy Minister Elkhereiji affirmed Saudi Arabia’s full support for Liberia’s bid for the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, recognizing Liberia’s important role in advancing global peace and security.
Addressing Minister Nyanti’s requests for enhanced bilateral cooperation, Deputy Minister Elkhereiji assured her of Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to supporting Liberia’s development priorities, especially in agriculture, infrastructure, and electricity. He also emphasized the importance of addressing geopolitical issues that could potentially destabilize global peace and have repercussions across Africa.
The visit concluded with both Liberia and Saudi Arabia reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening their bilateral ties and their dedication to jointly pursuing peace, development, and prosperity for their respective populations.
ABJ/APA