Local and international stakeholders gathered at the Delegation of the European Union in Liberia for the presentation of a political economy analysis on inclusion and exclusion in Liberian politics. The study, conducted by the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, was commissioned by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy. Presenting the findings, Dr. Aaron Weah, Executive Director of the Ducor Institute, noted that decision-making within parties is highly centralised. “Opportunities for meaningful engagement by women and young people remain limited as senior leaders dominate decision-making processes,” the New Dawn Liberia reports. The report called for reforms to expand participation and foster greater inclusivity.

Detoxification program

Liberia’s anti-drug campaign has suffered a major setback after 485 out of 600 youths enrolled in a government-backed detoxification program abandoned the initiative. Jewel Tarpeh Kollie, Montserrado County Health Officer, confirmed the numbers. “From the start, we had about 600 youths in the program. But as of yesterday, the number dropped to 115 (105 males and 10 females). Sometimes you see the number increase, and other times it decreases, because the process is voluntary and many of them walk away,” he said. The program was designed to provide treatment and recovery services to vulnerable youth, but officials now face questions about sustainability and effectiveness, the New Dawn Liberia reports.

Liberia hosts anti-illicit financial flows workshop

Liberia hosted the fifth Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker workshop in Monrovia from September 1–3, 2025, bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, and international partners to assess efforts to curb illicit financial flows. The workshop focused on identifying high-risk areas in the financial system and strengthening national strategies. Harold Aidoo, Executive Director of Integrity Watch Liberia, welcomed participants, “We are very happy that you could join us here in Liberia. I know it’s your first time here for many of you, and please permit me to formally welcome you. This is a very loving and peaceful country striving to grow and develop like many African countries.” The Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker is designed to help African governments evaluate responses and develop policy reforms, the Liberian Observer reports.

GAC audit flags $2.8m in irregular spending

The General Auditing Commission has flagged $2.8 million in budget irregularities in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s audit of the Consolidated Funds Account for the 2024 fiscal year. The audit revealed overspending by multiple entities, including the Ministry of Public Works, which spent $40.34 million against a budget of $38.01 million. It also found payments made without adequate documentation. The GAC warned that such practices could undermine financial discipline. Responding to the findings, the MFDP denied any missing funds, “All transactions were executed with proper authorisation and supporting records. However, some documentation could not be immediately located due to limitations in the inherited filing and document storage system,” Liberian Observer reports.

Boakai criticised for missing Grigsby’s U.S. funeral

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is facing backlash for failing to attend the U.S. funeral of his late Chief of Staff and longtime confidant, Sylvester Mondubue Grigsby, who died on August 9 while on a medical checkup. Opposition figure Wantoe Teah Wantoe called the absence inexcusable, “Did he attend? No. Wasn’t Grigsby his Chief of Staff and Minister of State? Yes. Wasn’t Grigsby his best friend and childhood companion? Yes. These are the facts. Missing Grigsby’s burial is not just a personal failure. It is a public betrayal of friendship, duty, and the values the presidency should uphold,” Wade Williams, another critic, argued the burial should have been treated as a state matter. “So President Boakai’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs dies and is buried outside Liberia. He is not present at the funeral. Something isn’t right. Shouldn’t this have been a state funeral?” Smart News Liberia reports.

While some welcomed the call for spiritual renewal, others questioned its timing and impact on the struggling economy.

According to a statement from the presidency, the day was set aside in recognition of what it described as “the enduring grace of God upon the nation” and the strength shown by Liberians in difficult times.

The government encouraged both public and private institutions to observe the day through interfaith gatherings, community events, and special services.

While some citizens see it as a chance to promote unity and seek divine guidance for the country’s future, others see it as unnecessary, especially with many national holidays already on the calendar.

On social media , reactions were swift and passionate.

Some users thanked the president for putting faith at the centre of national life.

But others called it a distraction from urgent national issues like unemployment, insecurity, and the cost of living .

There was also concern about the message being sent by the government, especially after this year’s Independence Day orator had suggested that the country focus less on religious activity and more on economic development. Some pastors and citizens saw the new holiday as a contradiction.

Despite the criticism, President Boakai used the occasion to call for national unity and healing, urging Liberians to forgive one another and seek peace.

“From the founding of our nation, through seasons of trial and triumph, God has remained our guide and the source of our hope. As we look to the future, let us embrace forgiveness of ourselves and one another, for it is only through reconciliation that we can fully heal and move forward as one people,” he said during his speech on Independence Day.

“We are aware that one of the aircraft’s tires burst upon landing, prompting a precautionary stop on the runway. Preliminary investigations suggest that the poor state of the runway, specifically the presence of potholes, may have contributed to the malfunction,” RIA management is quoted.

Major carriers, including Kenya Airways and Air Peace canceled scheduled landings in Monrovia due to the blocked runway. As of Thursday night, airport authorities had yet to provide a timeline for clearing the immobilised jet, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.

An anonymous airport source told the  Daily Observer , “The aircraft came to a complete stop and could not move any further. It caused a scare among passengers, including the president’s team.”

Emergency response teams evacuated President Boakai via motorcade, while other officials were transported off the runway using airport vehicles.

However, the Liberia Airport Authority later disputed that operations had fully ceased or that infrastructure issues were to blame.

The decision aligns with Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Section 5.2 and Section 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct. The suspension follows an earlier directive issued on November 27, 2024, granting a ten-day grace period for compliance, the New Dawn Liberia reports.

“All suspended officials must immediately turn over government assets to compliant heads of agencies, their designees, or authorised personnel within their respective institutions. The president remains steadfast in his commitment to good governance , integrity, and the rule of law,” the statement read.

A statement released by the Executive Mansion on Tuesday, February 12, confirmed that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) had published a list of non-compliant officials, all of whom are now suspended for one month without pay or until they submit the required asset declarations.

President Boakai emphasised that asset declaration is a legal obligation and an essential measure for promoting transparency and restoring public trust in government institutions.

Boakai warned that moving forward, his administration will strictly enforce legal and ethical standards, stressing that failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability.

Operations will be funded by rail users and aim to ensure “safe, efficient and equitable access” to infrastructure , according to the Executive Order.

The policy “underscores the government’s dedication to fostering a robust rail infrastructure that supports Liberia’s growing mining sector, enhances the transportation of goods and passengers, and strengthens the national economy,” the president’s office said in a statement.

Another result of the decision could be to unlock progress on the “Liberty Corridor”, a new route linking Guinea to a new commercial port at Didia, Liberia, according to one of the project’s key backers, mining and exploration company HPX.

“HPX is looking forward to finalising our rail access agreements with the Government of Liberia in the next few weeks and is delighted to see the commitment by the president to the National Rail Authority and multi-user access infrastructure,” the company’s president and CEO Bronwyn Barnes said in a statement. Feasibility studies on the Liberty Corridor route could be concluded “quickly” afterwards, she added.

As well as its own mineral exports, Liberia’s railways could provide a more efficient transit route from mines in southern Guinea. Boakai also believes local economies will benefit from passenger and good transport if routes can be developed and modernised.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai has suspended the Central Bank Governor and appointed an acting successor following a compliance audit implicating several former officials in financial impropriety. The government has made several arrests and launched an audit of the previous administration, causing tension. Former officials have described the audit as a witch-hunt. President Boakai has also reactivated the government's Economic Management Team to ensure coordination of fiscal and monetary policy and propose solutions to tackle economic uncertainties. According to AllAfrica , the suspended Governor holds a tenured position but may be removed based on cause. The former president has accused the government of weaponising the judiciary to target his officials, while the government maintains it has sufficient evidence to prove its charges against the accused persons.

Police on manhunt for wife killer

Police in Nimba County are searching for a man who shot and killed his wife in the town of Gbapa. The motive for the murder is unknown. In a similar incident, a man from Mali killed his Liberian girlfriend in Guinea. He is awaiting trial in Guinea, Daily Observer reports .

Weah's allies released on bail

Three former officials of the George Weah Government in Liberia were released on bail after being imprisoned on charges of economic sabotage and theft. They were granted bail by a Resident Circuit Court Judge after intervention from their lawyers. Two of the defendants are still missing since the arrest warrant was issued. The FrontPageAfrica reports that the defendants obtained a criminal insurance bond worth $12 million from an insurance company in Monrovia. There were reported threats against judges by the Legal Advisor to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai regarding the release of the former officials.

Arrests

Former Liberian finance minister Samuel Tweah and four other officials have been arrested for defrauding the government. George Weah has vowed to resist any attempts to indict them, claiming it's a political move by the current administration. Former president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf emphasized the importance of due process. The government denies accusations of witch-hunting and promises a fair audit of corruption, according to The Africa Report . President Boakai's suspension of the Central Bank governor is criticized as a violation of the rule of law. Independent analysts support the arrests and call for accountability to address the culture of impunity.

Pest infestations cause havoc

Pest infestations are threatening agricultural livelihoods in Kpaymue, Liberia. Farmers are experiencing crop losses and struggling to support their families. The infestations are attributed to climate change and lack of knowledge about pest management practices. The New Dawn Liberia reports that experts are working on proposals to support farmers and address the issue. Similar pest infestations are being reported across the African continent.

This announcement comes shortly after a group of lawmakers arrived at parliament in tricycles, known locally as ‘Keke’, to protest the non-payment of funds for their vehicles by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

"The Liberian Leader said the move is aimed at setting a precedent for responsible governance and nation-building," the statement read. President Boakai emphasised that his salary cut is intended to strengthen government accountability and to set an example of responsible leadership.

In addition to his own salary reduction, President Boakai pledged to empower the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to ensure public servants' salaries reflect the current economic state and that workers receive fair compensation for their contributions. He expressed his commitment to financial responsibility and equitable compensation across all sectors of public service, aiming to foster a culture of accountability and fairness within the government.

The initiative is also geared towards improving the wages of legitimate civil servants and creating opportunities for qualified professionals to deliver efficient and effective services to the nation.

President Boakai, who succeeded former President George Weah, is currently attending the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Nigeria. 

For President Boakai, the decision represents a necessary and courageous step forward. "Liberia has endured downpours of agony," he stated .

Critics of the war crimes court caution that it may reopen old wounds, yet Liberian President Boakai believes it will pave the way for “justice and healing.”

Adama K Dempster, one of the lead campaigners for the war crimes court, emphasised its importance. "It's an open show of support for war victims and survivors of the civil wars," he told the BBC .

In April, 28 out of the 30 senators in the Liberian Senate voted to establish the war crimes court following a similar vote of approval by the lower house of parliament in the previous month.

Atrocities throughout the bloody conflicts that lasted from 1989 to 2003 included forced child military recruitment, rape, and mass executions. However, Liberia has not yet held a trial for any crimes committed during the violent conflicts, despite calls from both domestic and foreign parties.

Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia and the chief mastermind of both civil wars, is presently serving a 50-year sentence in the United Kingdom for war crimes, however, for his involvement in the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

The path to establishing the first war crimes court has been marked by challenges and milestones, including past attempts at reconciliation.

In 2006, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address the aftermath of the conflicts. Although the TRC identified individuals who should be prosecuted for war crimes in 2009, political controversy and a lack of action stalled progress.

Liberia’s House of Representatives approved the 2024 National Budget for the fiscal year on April 29. This follows a rigorous debate by members of the House on April 25, 2024. The debate preceded a report from the joint Ways, Means, and Finance and Public Accounts Committee of the House and the Liberian Senate respectively. The 2024 budget which totals US$738,859,827 was an increment from the previous US$692,408,827 which was submitted. The increment is expected to benefit sectors including Transparency and Accountability, Security and Rule of Law, Health, Education, and Agriculture, GNN reports.

Teaching in limbo

The only public school in Deman Town, Bomi County has been closed due to its deplorable state, leaving over two thousand youths stranded. The Bai T. Moore Town Public School in Senjeh District has been deteriorating for years and was closed at the beginning of 2024. According to The New Dawn , this has contributed to loitering by children of school-going age. It has also led to a rise in social vices including drug abuse, and domestic violence. Many teenage pregnancy cases have also been recorded since the closure of the school. Authorities are yet to address the issue.

Budget allocation to lawmakers

Liberia’s Speaker of Parliament, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa dismissed calls for direct budgetary support for legislative projects to be sent directly to lawmakers. His decision comes after some lawmakers in the House called for proper allocation of budgets to enable them to work on district projects in their respective areas. But Speaker Koffa proposed that monies should be transferred to the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) to ensure lawmakers exercise their oversight responsibilities while maintaining accountability. These deliberations emerged on April 25 following the House Ways, Means and Finance Committee’s report, local news outlet Front Page Africa reports.

Surfing competition

Liberia is set to host its first international surf competition. The country was recently recognized as one of the top ten surfing destinations globally. The inaugural surfing competition will be held under the global theme, “Surf to Rise”. The event is scheduled to happen at Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County from May 24 th to 28 th 2024. The surfing competition is being spearheaded by the Liberian Surfing Association and the Liberia National Olympic Committee, according to the New Dawn outlet.

Boakai constitutes governing boards

Liberia’s President, Joseph Boakai has constituted the National Education Advisory Board, the Board of Governors, and the Principal of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI). A total of nineteen members were appointed on the National Education Advisory Board while fifteen members were appointed on the Board of Governors of the Booker Washington Institute. The president urged all nominees and appointees to demonstrate diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in service to the country. According to the Executive Mansion , the appointments take effect immediately.

The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 people. Massacres, mutilation, rape, and even cannibalism stained the history of Liberia, yet no one has been held accountable for these atrocities, the VOA reports.

The next phase involves the resolution returning to the lower house for potential amendments before reaching President Joseph Boakai for final approval. Subsequently, a bill will be drafted and debated by both houses of parliament, paving the way for the establishment of the court.

President Joseph Boakai, in his inauguration speech back in January, committed his government to explore the possibility of creating a "war and economic crimes court" to hold accountable those deemed responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The United States has commended Liberia's strides towards justice, with US Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack expressing support for the court's creation. In a letter to Liberians in March, Schaack emphasized the prolonged wait for justice and the necessity of addressing the horrific abuses endured during the civil wars.

While a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended the establishment of a war crimes tribunal in 2009, progress has been sluggish, partly due to concerns over peacekeeping and the continued influence of accused warlords within their communities.

The Supreme Court’s decision follows a prohibition filed at the high court by the manager of Gracious Ride, a taxi company whose vehicles were being seized by the task force.

Francis T. Blama prayed the high court to stop the task force from seizing its vehicles which they claim belong to President George Weah’s Chief of Protocol, Finda Bundo.

According to him, the vehicles were being seized based on allegations that a top government official obtained the vehicles through fraudulent means.

Justice Yussif Kaba who presided over the case placed a temporary stay order on the operations of the Assets Recovery Task Force on March 28 and issued notice to the Ministry of Justice to halt the team’s operations.

The Liberian Observer reports that Justice Kaba further requested the appearance of the task force and the ministry on April 1, 2024.

The Office of Assets Recovery was established by President Joseph Boakai on March 5, as part of his corruption fight strategy as promised in his election campaign. This was followed by the announcement of a task force to crack down on corruption and try to retrieve stolen funds.

The Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Core Team is mandated to ensure processes leading to the location, recovery, and retrieval – through criminal prosecutions and civil litigations – of public resources and properties that have been illegally acquired or converted to private use by officials of past administrations, the Liberian Observer noted. 

The retired army chief resigned after a protest by the wives of Armed Offices of Liberia (AFL) Officers over allegations that Johnson was mistreating military personnel stationed across the country.

The military wives accused the former army chief of engaging in unethical labour practices and voiced worries about the low pay, inadequate benefits, and unfavourable living conditions in the barracks.

After the acceptance of his resignation letter by President Joseph Boakai on February 12, his deputy, General Geraldine George was appointed as acting Defence Minister.

The former Deputy Army Chief of Staff Brigadier is the first woman to occupy the position in the history of Liberia, marking a significant step in women's empowerment in the country.

Here’s a profile of Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George

Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George has served in the Armed Forces of Liberia as Acting Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Military Police Company Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Brigade S-5, CIMIC Officer, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Provost Marshal, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Legal Officer, Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; and Acting  Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS).

She has also served in the Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (ACOS J1)(2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation (ACOS J3) (2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters, information from Liberia’s Ministry of Defence .

Brigadier General George holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College in Monrovia and a Masters in International Relations from Webster University, USA.

She also has too her credit, several certificates including an Intelligence, Fight against Terrorism certificate from Rome and Italy, the Administration of Justice from the Liberia Institute of Public Administration, Monrovia, Public Sector Management from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) at the University of Sierra Leone.

Janet is also authorised to wear the Fort Leavenworth School Badge from the Command and General Staff College, authorized to wear the International Students Military Badge and authorised to wear the Basic Military Police School Badge.

The Deputy Chief of Staff was enlisted into the AFL on July 24, 2006, as part of the first batch of soldiers of the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia.

“The President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has received and accepted a letter of resignation from the recently confirmed Minister of National Defense Mr. Prince C. Johnson,” the Liberian presidency wrote.

“In his letter, the Minister of National Defense outlined his reasons for his action noting that due to the current political and civil disturbances occasioned by the protest of women believed to be wives of servicemen, he has made the decision to resign and preserve the peace and security of the State,” the presidency added.

On February 10, the wives of Armed Offices of Liberia (AFL) officers staged barricades on major highways and demanded that President Boakai fire the former army chief for allegedly mistreating military personnel stationed across.

The military wives accused the former army chief of engaging in unethical labour practices and voiced worries about the low pay, inadequate benefits, and unfavourable living conditions in the barracks, the New Dawn Liberia reports.

The 79-year-old President Boakai, who defeated former Liberian President George Weah in a runoff election in November 2023, has made several government appointments in recent weeks after assuming office on January 22. Prince Johnson, a retired major general, led the AFL as chief of staff to Weah from 2018 to 2024.

What they said

Bendu Kiadii in the JFK trauma ward said, "We did not hear anything because the music was playing... I don't really know where the car came from. I just found myself on the ground.”

Liberia has received commendation from the international community following the successful election of a new government, the New Dawn Liberia reports. This comes after former Vice President Joseph Boakai’s victory over the incumbent President George Weah after the country held a runoff election on November 14, 2023. According to the international community in Liberia, the move marks a new chapter in their democratic dispensation.

Health concerns over abortions

An estimated 40,000 abortions happen in Liberia annually, a former Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Global Health at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has said. Dr. Monique Wubbenhorst said this during a training workshop on the empowerment of the local faith community campaign on comprehensive sex education (CSE). Meanwhile, Liberian lawmakers are preparing a bill to expand access to abortion, which is currently subject to tight restrictions that many women circumvent through clandestine and dangerous means Global News Network Liberia reports.

Ecowas speaks on Liberia runoff

ECOWAS has congratulated Liberia’s Joseph Boakai following his victory in the just-ended runoff held on November 14. The West African regional body said that the peaceful nature of the elections is evidence that the country still upholds its democratic credentials. It further pledged support towards the maintenance and security of citizens, Global News Network Liberia reports

Visa Application Center

Liberians and other foreign nationals who intend to visit France now have easy access to a new application centre opened in Monrovia. This is the second in the country and was commissioned by Deputy French Ambassador to Liberia Sebastine Jondot on November 17, 2023. Applicants may expect an average processing time of two to three weeks while processing time for long-stay visa applications will have to take several months to process, The New Dawn Liberia reports.

Weah concedes defeat

Liberia’s President Dr. George Weah has conceded defeat after his opponent, Joseph Boakai won the runoff elections on November 14, 2023. In a speech released on Saturday, November 18, Weah congratulated Boakai and the Electoral Commission. He also urged all Liberians to place patriotism over a party to maintain peace in the country.

Neither candidate managed to attain the required figure to become the next president in the general election on October 10.

"The results announced tonight, though not final, indicate that Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai is in a lead that is insurmountable. A few moments ago, I spoke with President-elect Joseph N. Boakai to congratulate him on his victory and to offer my sincere commitment to working with him for the betterment of our beloved Liberia," Weah in his address to the nation after the runoff election said.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Boakai, his supporters, and his campaign team. May his presidency be marked by success for all Liberians, and may our nation prosper under his leadership," he added.

The West African nation was marred by civil wars that went on for over a decade.

The main architect behind these wars was former President Charles Taylor who weaponised children under the age of 15 as rebels.

Taylor has been convicted of crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed during the civil wars.

The wars killed thousands of Liberians and displaced close to a million of them.

Audio of President Weah's concession speech.