To Strengthen Governance And Rule Of Law In Liberia
PHOTO: Eddie Jarwolo, Naymote’s Executive Director
Press Release
Monrovia, Liberia – March 31, 2025 – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development calls on His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, to immediately initiate a comprehensive constitutional review process to reinforce governance, uphold democratic principles, and ensure the rule of law is clearly defined and consistently applied. Liberia’s constitution must reflect modern democratic standards and provide a stronger legal foundation for justice, accountability, and inclusive governance.
The 1986 Constitution, last amended nearly four decades ago under military rule, no longer fully addresses the country’s evolving political, social, and legal realities. While it replaced the 1847 Independence-era Constitution, it has not undergone the necessary reforms to clarify and strengthen legal provisions that safeguard civil liberties, promote judicial independence, and prevent political manipulation of governance structures.
Naymote emphasizes that a structured and inclusive constitutional review is critical to ensuring political stability, expanding civic participation, and fortifying the rule of law. The organization urges President Boakai to seize this historic opportunity to lead a transparent, citizen-driven reform process that strengthens Liberia’s democratic foundations and restores public trust in government.
Key Areas for Urgent Constitutional Review:
- Rule of Law and Judicial Reforms – Establishing specialized courts, including an electoral court and a corruption court, to ensure justice, fair adjudication, and accountability.
- Electoral Reforms – Strengthening the electoral system to enhance transparency, credibility, and public confidence in elections.
- Women’s Political Participation – Institutionalizing legal measures to promote gender equity in leadership and governance.
- Local Governance – Facilitating the election of local government officials to promote decentralization and grassroots participation, and address underlying problems of governance and power relations.
- Citizenship Laws – Reviewing policies on nationality, civic identity, and dual citizenship.
- Clarifying Government Roles and Responsibilities – Ensuring a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent overreach and ensure balanced governance.
A Call to Action
Liberia stands at a critical juncture, and President Boakai’s leadership presents a pivotal opportunity to champion a modernized, citizen-centered constitution. A deliberate and well-structured review process will not only align Liberia’s governance structures with international best practices but also restore public trust in democratic institutions.
Naymote urges the government to take immediate steps to launch a broad-based national dialogue, establish a Constitutional Review Commission, and engage civil society, legal experts, and grassroots communities to ensure an inclusive and transparent reform process.