Monrovia – Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Monday expressed deep concerns over the state of the country’s governance during the opening session of the NAYMOTE-Liberia Second Summit on Democracy and Political Accountability.
The summit, organized by NAYMOTE-Liberia in partnership with UNDP, gathered key stakeholders to discuss Liberia’s political future. Sirleaf emphasized that Liberia, seven years after the departure of UN peacekeeping troops (UNMIL), is at a critical juncture. She noted that Liberia is now fully on its own, without an international peacekeeping force to rely on for security and stability.
“The duty to do the right thing has never weighed more heavily on leaders and citizens of Liberia than now,” said Sirleaf, stressing that national security and governance are in the hands of the country’s leaders and citizens.
The former President further criticized the conduct of national security personnel, warning against public disputes that undermine public trust. “Now is not the time for members of our national security institutions to be engaged in public scuffles among themselves that can only serve to undermine public trust and confidence in their sworn duty to maintain and enforce law and order,” she stated.
She also questioned recent decisions by the Supreme Court, warning that ambiguous rulings could hinder peaceful resolutions to conflicts within the government. “Now is definitely not the time for the Supreme Court to deliver an ambiguous ruling that may take us away from a peaceful resolving of the disruption unfolding in another important branch of the government,” Sirleaf said.
Turning her attention to the Legislature, Sirleaf criticized lawmakers for prioritizing power struggles and self-interest over the country’s needs. “Now, also, is not the time for weakening legislative oversight; so that we continue to act in fulfillment of narrow self-interests and what is best for a party over what is necessary for our country,” she remarked.
She urged legislators to aspire to be statesmen and stateswomen, emphasizing that making a meaningful impact requires standing firm on principles even when it means standing alone.
Addressing Liberia’s economic challenges, Sirleaf pointed to a recent World Bank report showing that Liberia’s GDP growth rate fell to 0.4% in 2024. She also highlighted troubling statistics: only 28% of the population has reliable access to electricity, about 48% of Liberians are illiterate, and healthcare challenges remain widespread.
“The reality of the circumstances our nation is faced with today must compel us to govern ourselves more responsibly and accountably,” Sirleaf said, urging the government and citizens to take action. She added: “These statistics should not frighten us. They should embolden us to act, being more mindful and determined to right wrongs, rather than repeat them, and to fight abuse, waste, and corruption, rather than making excuses to continue them.”
She added, “If it was wrong yesterday, it has to be similarly wrong now. Repeating a wrong will not somehow make it right. In the history of mankind, it never has, and never ever will be.”
NAYMOTE-Liberia Program Manager Alphia Faith Kemokai also spoke at the summit, stressing that the foundation of democracy is being tested globally by the rise of military rule, the unchecked concentration of power, and political instability.
She called for urgent attention to these challenges, warning that they threaten not only Liberia’s present governance but also its future. “These challenges demand the urgent attention of every Liberian, as they threaten not only the present governance but also the future envisioned for Liberia,” Kemokai said.
She emphasized the importance of the summit in responding to these challenges, under the leadership of Eddie D. Jarwolo and with the support of the Embassy of Sweden. The summit, she noted, is an opportunity to “build a stable, inclusive, and accountable democracy that works for all Liberians.”
Kemokai also reminded attendees of the painful legacy of Liberia’s 14-year civil war, stressing that it should serve as a lesson in resilience rather than a repeating nightmare. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that history does not repeat itself, but instead fuels our resolve to build a stable, inclusive, and accountable democracy,” she concluded.
The summit, which is set to last two days, will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, development partners, youth, and marginalized communities, to critically examine the trajectory of Liberia’s democracy and discuss pathways for sustainable development.
