Monrovia, Liberia — Simeon Freeman, political leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), has called for reducing the tenure of the President, Senators, and Representatives from six to four years.
By Edwin Genoway
Freeman made the proposal during his keynote speech at Faith University’s commencement ceremony over the weekend, sparking renewed debate on governance and accountability in Liberia.
He argued that shorter terms would encourage elected officials to focus on delivering results and reduce opportunities for corruption.
“When officials know they have only four years, they won’t waste time,” Freeman said. “They’ll be under pressure to deliver real results or risk losing office.”
Currently, Liberian Presidents, Senators, and Representatives serve six-year terms. Freeman said this length creates complacency and enables misuse of public resources.
“Six years gives them too much time to do the wrong things before voters can act,” he said. “Four years allows for quicker correction if mistakes are made.”
Freeman proposed a national referendum to let Liberians decide on adopting four-year terms, noting that many neighboring countries already follow this model.
“Why should Liberia be different? We must align with regional best practices and prioritize the people’s welfare,” he said.
His call comes amid growing public demand for political reform, transparency, and improved government performance.
Observers suggest Freeman’s proposal could unite reform advocates seeking a more accountable government.
If approved, the change would allow citizens to hold elected officials to higher standards through more frequent elections.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
