The Voice News : In a pivotal vote at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, five countries—Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia—were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term.
These nations secured the necessary two-thirds majority vote in the 193-member Assembly during a single round of balloting. Their terms will begin in January 2026, replacing Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms expire at the end of 2025.
Vote Breakdown:
Africa and Asia-Pacific Group:
Bahrain – 186 votes
Democratic Republic of the Congo – 183 votes
Liberia – 181 votes
(1 country abstained)
Eastern European Group:
Latvia – 178 votes
(10 abstentions)
Latin America and Caribbean Group:
Colombia – 180 votes
(8 abstentions)Historic First for Latvia
This marks Latvia’s debut on the Security Council. In contrast, Colombia has previously served seven times, the DRC twice, and Bahrain and Liberia once each.
The 15-member Security Council includes five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who hold veto power. The ten non-permanent members are elected for staggered two-year terms, with elections held annually and seats distributed by regional groupings.
Currently serving non-permanent members—Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia—will remain on the Council through 2026.
The Security Council plays a crucial role in maintaining international peace and security, making this election significant for global diplomacy and regional representation.