President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has called on West African leaders to urgently strengthen regional cooperation and collective security.
Boakai warned that no nation can remain stable while its neighbors face insecurity and terror.
He spoke at the high-level consultative conference on regional cooperation and security on Friday, January 30, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. Pres. Boakai said the evolving security landscape in the region demands immediate, coordinated and decisive action by states.
“None of us can be peaceful and stable if we are in secured and terrorized. Liberia is not safe if an inch of Ghana is in terror,” Boakai told the gathering.
He described recent developments in Niger as a “rude awakening and a crude reminder” of the persistent and interconnected threats confronting the sub region. He noted that the conference could not have come at a more critical moment that at this time in 2026.
He urged the gathering to convey Liberia’s solidarity with the people of Niger.
Pres. Boakai expressed appreciation to John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, for convening the conference, and for the warm hospitality extended to him and the Liberian delegation.
He reaffirmed Liberia’s full support for the initiative and its outcomes.
While taking cue from Liberia’s own painful history, Pres. Boakai underscored the devastating and lasting consequences of violent conflict.
He recalled how wars know no boundaries, and leave nations deeply scarred.
He reaffirmed Liberia’s strong commitment to conflict prevention at national, regional and international levels.
The President outlined a broad range of threats facing the region.
He named some of the threats as terrorism, violent extremism, governance deficits, transnational crime, maritime insecurity, climate-driven conflicts, illicit mining, arms proliferation, human trafficking, cybercrime, drug abuse and youth unemployment.
He noted that non-state actors exploiting anarchy and lawlessness continue to undermine peace and stability.
Pres. Boakai warned that increasing global polarization, economic disruptions, and political uncertainty are compounding insecurity and poverty, particularly for smaller and developing states.
In this context, he stressed the continued relevance of multilateralism and regional solidarity.
As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Pres. Boakai highlighted Liberia’s advocacy for a regional approach to peacebuilding and security.
He called for effective responses to involve neighboring countries and regional institutions to dismantle cross-border networks that sustain conflict and terrorism.
He welcomed the outcome document produced by intelligence chiefs and ministers responsible for foreign affairs and national security, and reaffirmed Liberia’s readiness to work with regional partners to implement its recommendations.
socio-economic drivers
On socio-economic drivers of insecurity, Pres. Boakai called for renewed activation of existing regional mechanisms to promote economic growth, job creation for young people, skills training, education, healthcare cooperation, and cultural exchange.
Pres. Boakai spoke of the urgency of collective action, and the need to invest in modern security architecture to match advances in technology.
“We are here because there is only one option: our collective survival and the survival of our people.”