IPNEWS: On January 13, 2026, Liberia cast its first vote as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 term. The vote supported Resolution 2812 (2026), which is designed to enhance maritime security and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Resolution 2812 focuses on international cooperation to protect critical maritime trade routes and addresses ongoing security challenges in the Red Sea region. It specifically extends the UN Secretary-General’s mandate to provide monthly reports on Houthi attacks for an additional six months, until July 15, 2026.
The resolution was adopted with 13 affirmative votes, including Liberia’s. There were zero votes against, and two abstentions from Russia and China.
This historic vote occurred during the Council’s 10,089th meeting, marking Liberia’s formal entry into substantive global decision-making after officially beginning its two-year tenure on January 2, 2026.
Liberia’s seat runs from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
This marks Liberia’s return to the Security Council after 65 years, having last served in 1961.
Liberia was elected by the UN General Assembly in June 2025, receiving 181 out of 193 votes. It currently serves alongside other newly elected non-permanent members: Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Latvia.
Liberia is an ally of the United States it sought the U.S. support for the UNSC non-permanent role .
The U.S. position on Red Sea maritime security resolutions is defined by its role as a lead negotiator and primary advocate for the defense of freedom of navigation. The U.S. strongly supports these resolutions as essential tools to condemn Houthi attacks, maintain global supply chains, and hold Iran accountable for enabling the group’s actions.
Support for UN Resolution 2812 (2026)
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. co-penned and welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2812, which extends the UN Secretary-General’s monthly reporting requirement on Houthi attacks for an additional six months (until July 15, 2026). The U.S. position on this resolution includes:
- Continued Vigilance: The U.S. views the resolution as a reaffirmation of the Council’s responsibility to remain vigilant against the “Houthi terrorist threat” to freedom of navigation.
- Global Security Importance: U.S. officials emphasize that defending maritime transit is a “crucial element of international peace and security” because the threat reverberates globally, risking economic and environmental catastrophe.
- Actionable Obligations: The U.S. reminds all member states of their obligation to implement UN sanctions against the Houthis, specifically preventing the transfer of arms and dual-use items.
Core Principles of the U.S. Stance
Currently, the U.S. position has consistently revolved around three primary pillars since the initial adoption of Resolution 2722 in January 2024:
Right to Self-Defense: While Resolution 2722 does not explicitly authorize the use of force, the U.S. interprets international law as granting member states the inherent right to defend their vessels from attacks.
Collective Multilateral Action: The U.S. leads Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative designed to protect commercial vessels through escort operations and shared intelligence.
Condemnation of Iranian Involvement: The U.S. maintains that Iran’s ongoing violations of Resolution 2216—including providing weapons and intelligence—directly enable Houthi “terrorism” and must be stopped.
Opposition from Russia and China
While the U.S. views these resolutions as protective, Russia and China have frequently abstained, arguing the resolutions have been “misinterpreted or abused” to justify unilateral military actions against Yemen’s territory.
Unlike some other Council members who link Red Sea tensions directly to the conflict in Gaza, the U.S. focuses on the indiscriminate nature of Houthi attacks, noting that many targeted vessels have no connection to Israel.
