DAVID A. YATES
Africa-Press – Liberia. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, a former UN Deputy Special Representative, has declared her intention to run for the presidency come October 10 polls.
Nyanti, whose decision made her the first known female seeking the nation’s highest office, would face a heavy task in overshadowing the two frontrunners of the race: President George Weah and former Vice President Joseph Boakai.
“I’m here because I want to serve you, the Liberian people,” said Nyanti, who is expected to contest on the ticket of the newly-formed political party, the African Liberation League. “I have served Women, Children, men, and boys around the world. It’s about serving you diligently, loyally, and with the wealth of my experience, serving humanity.
The African Liberation League (ALL), according to its secretary general, Carlos Tingban Edison, was certificated on May 30, 2023, and, on July 5th, Beysolow was elected as the party’s standard bearer at its ‘special general council’ (convention) in Margibi County. Chaired by Kansualism Berk Kansuah, the party identifies as a grassroots movement. “We are ideologically driven by the philosophy of social democracy,” Edison told the Daily Observer. ALL’s “We are a full-fledged functioning political party, qualified to take part in the upcoming elections. And so, electing [Beysolow] as our standard bearer speaks to the fact that we are going to participate in the upcoming general and presidential elections.”
“I have come as the alternative for Liberia in its quest to rebuild the nation. We are a grass-roots organization, and we don’t have big names but have big hearts,” Nyanti added. “We want you to know that. Hearts that want to join together to reach the people to serve you and ensure that together we can build this nation.”
Nyanti, who is joining the jammed pack presidential race in just four months, is a respected figure in the international community, and has dedicated her career to promoting peace, social justice, and human rights. During her tenure at the United Nations, she played a crucial role in supporting peacekeeping efforts in several conflict-ridden regions.
Her deep understanding of complex geopolitical dynamics and commitment to the well-being of vulnerable populations earned her widespread admiration.
The decision to transition into national politics came as a surprise to many, considering Nyanti’s successful international career. However, just a few days after she had been retired from her lucrative posts as Deputy Special Representative to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), UN Resident Coordinator in South Sudan, and Humanitarian Coordinator in the East African nation, — rising speculation — that she might be eyeing a presidential or Senatorial run, even though she was tipped on such a decision.
Nyanti’s retirement comes about 18 months after she ascended to one of the UN’s highest-ranking positions, which has a ranking at the level of UN Assistant Secretary General.
“All of us have to build this nation. It is not about the president or vice president of some opposition party,” she said. “What we are talking about right now is the five million people who need to find one another to build Liberia. If you are a Liberian and proud to be a Liberian, as I am, please join us.”
“[My party] has the ideologies, and with significant networking going on across the country, we are rallying all Liberians to get behind the transformation team, and together we can make the changes. The time has come for Liberia to transition into a new page, a new alternative, where everyone’s involvement is key,” Nyanti added.
The former UN diplomat’s decision to enter politics is rooted in her belief that the political landscape needed transformative change, guided by her experiences working at the global level.
Her decision might garner huge public attention due to her reputation as a principled UN diplomat and her supporters as a rare breed of politician who prioritizes the well-being of citizens over personal gain.
Having witnessed firsthand the devastating humanitarian consequences of prolonged conflicts and economic disparities, Nyanti plans to place the welfare of the Liberian people as her utmost priority. Her candidacy aims to create a society that fosters economic growth, promotes the flourishing of all communities, and restores the faith and trust of the citizens in their government.
While Nyanti is relatively new to Liberian politics, her remarkable track record as a diplomat and international civil servant, and her deep understanding of the complexities within her native Liberia from a development context, cannot be discounted. The electorate’s appetite for fresh leadership, marked by integrity, accountability, and an ability to deliver on promises presents an opportunity for Nyanti’s success.
Her career with the UN began when she was snatched from the Ministry of Health where she headed the National AIDS Control Program in Monrovia at the level of program director in 2003.
She wrote the first Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) proposal for Liberia. Two years later, Nyanti went international, serving as the GFATM Program Manager in Nepal. Over the last 22 years, Nyanti moved up the ranks, serving in high-profile positions in conflict-and post-conflict countries: UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal (2021); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Yemen (2019-2020); and the Gambia (2015-2017).
Nyanti also served in technical capacities in UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) related to setting up systems for large-scale grant management, Ebola response, social protection/cash transfers, HIV/AIDS, health, and education.
In Yemen, she established the largest humanitarian cash transfer payment system from scratch, and that system has been replicated in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. Nyanti managed hundreds of millions of dollars in cash payments, negotiating with the Iran-backed Houthis. She faced threats during assignments, and she shared the risks taken to ensure the risk-informed delivery of results.
Pope Francis, during his three-day visit to South Sudan early this year, recognized Nyanti for her work in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the East African nation. “I would like to thank Deputy Special Representative Sara Beysolow Nyanti for telling us that today represents an opportunity for people to realize what has been going on in this country for years,’’ the leader of the Roman Catholic Church said.
Meanwhile, Nyanti has expressed confidence in winning the October 10 poll.
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