Politics of Liberia
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The Politics of Liberia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic modeled on the government of the United States, whereby the President is the head of state and head of government; unlike the United States, however, Liberia is a unitary state as opposed to a federation and has a pluriform multi-party system rather than the two-party system that characterizes US politics. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the legislature.
Liberia is still in transition from dictatorship and civil war to democracy. Liberia's government is based on the American model of a republic with three equal branches of government, though in reality, the President of Liberia has usually been the dominant force in Liberian politics. Following the dissolution of the Republican Party in 1876, the True Whig Party dominated the Liberian government until the 1980 coup, eventually creating what was effectively a stable, one-party state, with little politics in the usual sense. The longest-serving president in Liberian history was William Tubman, serving from 1944 until his death in 1971. The shortest term was held by James Skivring Smith, who was interim president for all of two months in 1871. However, the political process from Liberia's founding in 1847, despite widespread corruption, was very stable until the end of the First Republic in 1980.
This situation changed abruptly in 1980, with the revolt against the Americo-Liberians and their True Whig Party. Currently,[when?] no party has majority control of the legislature.
The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Liberia a "hybrid regime" in 2022.[1][needs update]
Political developments since 1980
[edit]Between 1980 and 2006, Liberia was governed by a series of military and transitional governments. The president of the last of these, Charles Taylor, was forced to step down in 2003, and the United Nations installed a transitional government. Elections to select a government to replace the transitional government took place in October and November 2005. (see 2005 Liberian general election).
In the 1980s, Samuel K. Doe's government increasingly adopted an ethnic outlook as members of his Krahn ethnic group soon dominated political and military life in Liberia. This caused a heightened level of ethnic tension leading to frequent hostilities between the politically and militarily dominant Krahns and other ethnic groups in the country.
Political parties remained banned until 1984. Elections were held on 15 October 1985 in which Doe's National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL) was declared the winner. The elections were characterized by widespread fraud and rigging. The period after the elections saw increased human rights abuses, corruption, and ethnic tensions. The standard of living, which had been rising in the 1970s, declined drastically.
On 12 November 1985, former Army Commanding General Thomas Quiwonkpa invaded Liberia by way of neighboring Sierra Leone and almost succeeded in toppling the government of Samuel Doe. Members of the Krahn-dominated Armed Forces of Liberia repelled Quiwonkpa's attack and executed him in Monrovia.
On 24 December 1989, a small band of rebels led by Doe's former procurement chief, Charles Taylor invaded Liberia from Ivory Coast. Taylor and his National Patriotic Front rebels rapidly gained the support of Liberians because of the repressive nature of Samuel Doe and his government. Barely six months after the rebels first attacked, they had reached the outskirts of Monrovia.
The First and Second Liberian Civil War, which was one of Africa's bloodiest, claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians and further displaced a million others into refugee camps in neighboring countries.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened and succeeded in preventing Charles Taylor from capturing Monrovia. Prince Johnson who had been a member of Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) but broke away because of policy differences, formed the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL). Johnson's forces captured and killed Doe on 9 September 1990.[2]
An Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) was formed in Gambia under the auspices of ECOWAS in October 1990 and Dr. Amos Sawyer became President. Taylor refused to work with the interim government and continued war.
By 1992, several warring factions had emerged in the Liberian civil war, all of which were absorbed in the new transitional government. After several peace accords and declining military power, Taylor finally agreed to the formation of a five-man transitional government.
After considerable progress in negotiations conducted by the United States, United Nations, Organization of African Unity, and the Economic Community of West African States, disarmament and demobilization of warring factions were hastily carried out and special elections were held on 19 July 1997 with Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Party emerging victorious. Taylor won the election by a large majority, primarily because Liberians feared a return to war had Taylor lost.
Unrest continued, and by 2003, two rebel groups were challenging Taylor's control of the country. In August 2003, Taylor resigned and fled the country and vice-president Moses Blah became acting president. On 18 August 2003, the warring parties signed the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement which marked the political end of the conflict.
The international community again intervened and helped set up a transitional government (National Transitional Government of Liberia) which was led by Gyude Bryant until the Liberian general election of 2005.
For more than a year, over 9,000 census-takers combed the densely forested nation mapping every structure. For three days starting 21 March 2008, they revisited each dwelling and counted the inhabitants.[1]
In November 2011, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was re-elected for a second six-year term.[3] Following the 2017 Liberian general election, former professional football striker George Weah, considered one of the greatest African players of all time,[4][5] was sworn in as president on January 22, 2018, becoming the fourth youngest serving president in Africa.[6] The inauguration marked Liberia's first fully democratic transition in 74 years.[7] Weah cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving life conditions as the main targets of his presidency.[7] However, opposition leader Joseph Boakai defeated George Weah in the tightly contested 2023 presidential election.[8] On 22 January 2024, Joseph Boakai was sworn in as Liberia’s new president.[9]
Executive branch
[edit]Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
President | Joseph Boakai | Unity Party | 22 January 2024 |
Vice President | Jeremiah Koung | Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction | 22 January 2024 |
The president is elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable). The cabinet is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Legislative branch
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Liberian_Capitol_Building.jpg/220px-Liberian_Capitol_Building.jpg)
Liberia has a bicameral Legislature that consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
Political parties and elections
[edit]Presidential elections
[edit]Candidate | Running mate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | ||||
George Weah | Jewel Taylor | Coalition for Democratic Change | 596,037 | 38.37 | 732,185 | 61.54 | |
Joseph Boakai | Emmanuel James Nuquay | Unity Party | 446,716 | 28.76 | 457,579 | 38.46 | |
Charles Brumskine | Harrison S. Karnwea Sr. | Liberty Party | 149,495 | 9.62 | |||
Prince Johnson | Audrian R. Smith-Forbes | Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction | 127,666 | 8.22 | |||
Alexander B. Cummings Jr. | Jeremiah Sulunteh | Alternative National Congress | 112,067 | 7.21 | |||
Benoni Urey | Alexander Nyonkon Duopu | All Liberian Party | 24,246 | 1.56 | |||
Joseph Mills Jones | Samuel B. Reeves Jr. | Movement for Economic Empowerment | 12,854 | 0.83 | |||
MacDella Cooper | William R. Slocum | Liberia Restoration Party | 11,645 | 0.75 | |||
Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh | Marcus S.G. Dahn | Liberian People's Party | 11,560 | 0.74 | |||
Oscar Cooper | Wonderr Koryenen Freeman | Independent | 10,381 | 0.67 | |||
MacDonald A. Wento | John N. Bleah | United People's Party | 8,968 | 0.58 | |||
Simeon C. M. Freeman | William T. Knowlden | Movement for Progressive Change | 6,682 | 0.43 | |||
Isaac Gbombadee Wiles | Richmond D. K. Yarkpah | Democratic Justice Party | 6,379 | 0.41 | |||
Aloysius William Kpadeh | John S. Partor | Independent | 5,922 | 0.38 | |||
Kennedy Gbleyah Sandy | Victoria Morris Tweh | Liberia Transformation Party | 5,343 | 0.34 | |||
George Sluwer Dweh Sr. | Annie Y. Tuazama | Redemption Democratic Congress | 4,935 | 0.32 | |||
William Wiah Tuider | Dave L. Dixon | New Liberia Party | 4,920 | 0.32 | |||
Jeremiah Z. Whapoe | Isaac D. G. Flowers | Vision for Liberia Transformation | 3,946 | 0.25 | |||
Yarkpajuwur N. Mator | Ruth L. Kollie | Independent | 1,940 | 0.12 | |||
Wendell J. E. McIntosh | Manjerngie Cecelia Ndebe | Change Democratic Action | 1,646 | 0.11 | |||
Total | 1,553,348 | 100.00 | 1,189,764 | 100.00 | |||
Valid votes | 1,553,348 | 94.61 | 1,189,764 | 97.67 | |||
Invalid/blank votes | 88,574 | 5.39 | 28,360 | 2.33 | |||
Total votes | 1,641,922 | 100.00 | 1,218,124 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 2,183,629 | 75.19 | 2,183,629 | 55.78 | |||
Source: NEC NEC |
House of Representatives elections
[edit]Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC–NPP–LPDP) | 239,754 | 15.57 | 21 | +7 | |
Unity Party | 220,508 | 14.32 | 20 | −4 | |
Liberty Party | 131,980 | 8.57 | 3 | −4 | |
Alternative National Congress | 93,475 | 6.07 | 0 | New | |
People's Unification Party | 90,421 | 5.87 | 5 | New | |
All Liberian Party | 77,013 | 5.00 | 3 | New | |
Movement for Economic Empowerment | 59,268 | 3.85 | 1 | New | |
Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction | 56,734 | 3.69 | 2 | New | |
Coalition for Liberia's Progress | 50,732 | 3.30 | 0 | New | |
Liberia Transformation Party | 49,621 | 3.22 | 1 | 0 | |
United People's Party | 47,357 | 3.08 | 1 | New | |
Victory for Change Party | 28,385 | 1.84 | 1 | +1 | |
Liberian People's Party | 24,287 | 1.58 | 1 | New | |
Vision for Liberia Transformation | 21,324 | 1.39 | 0 | New | |
Grassroot Democratic Party of Liberia | 20,588 | 1.34 | 0 | 0 | |
Liberia National Union | 20,227 | 1.31 | 1 | +1 | |
Movement for Progressive Change | 19,980 | 1.30 | 0 | −2 | |
True Whig Party | 14,723 | 0.96 | 0 | New | |
Liberia Restoration Party | 11,690 | 0.76 | 0 | New | |
Democratic Justice Party | 7,415 | 0.48 | 0 | New | |
Change Democratic Action | 7,166 | 0.47 | 0 | New | |
Redemption Democratic Congress | 5,731 | 0.37 | 0 | New | |
Liberians for Prosperity | 628 | 0.04 | 0 | New | |
New Liberia Party | 494 | 0.03 | 0 | New | |
Independents | 240,001 | 15.59 | 13 | −2 | |
Total | 1,539,502 | 100.00 | 73 | 0 | |
Valid votes | 1,539,502 | 94.86 | |||
Invalid/blank votes | 83,427 | 5.14 | |||
Total votes | 1,622,929 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 2,183,629 | 74.32 | |||
Source: NEC, NEC, Carter Center |
Senate elections
[edit]Party | Votes | % | Seats | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Congress for Democratic Change | 135,897 | 29.78 | 2 | |
Liberty Party | 52,351 | 11.47 | 2 | |
Unity Party | 47,123 | 10.33 | 4 | |
National Patriotic Party | 27,602 | 6.05 | 1 | |
People's Unification Party | 22,528 | 4.94 | 1 | |
Alternative National Congress | 18,917 | 4.15 | 1 | |
Alliance for Peace and Democracy | 18,410 | 4.03 | 0 | |
National Democratic Coalition | 5,726 | 1.25 | 1 | |
Union of Liberian Democrats | 4,092 | 0.90 | 0 | |
Liberia Transformation Party | 3,680 | 0.81 | 0 | |
Grassroot Democratic Party of Liberia | 3,154 | 0.69 | 0 | |
Movement for Progressive Change | 3,038 | 0.67 | 0 | |
Liberia National Union | 1,779 | 0.39 | 0 | |
Victory for Change Party | 1,266 | 0.28 | 0 | |
Independents | 110,707 | 24.26 | 3 | |
Total | 456,270 | 100.00 | 15 | |
Valid votes | 456,270 | 95.07 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 23,666 | 4.93 | ||
Total votes | 479,936 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,903,229 | 25.22 | ||
Source: NEC, NEC |
By county
[edit]The following are the results for the 2014 Senate elections from the National Elections Commission.[10]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
UP | Morris Gato Saytumah | 8,857 | 47.1% | |
NPP | Lahai Gbabye Lansanah | 6,837 | 36.3% | |
Independent | Michael Abou Jones | 1,318 | 7.0% | |
CDC | Duannah A. Kamara | 537 | 2.9% | |
Independent | Neh Dukuly Tolbert | 421 | 2.2% | |
LTP | Abraham Abraham Nyei | 291 | 1.5% | |
LP | Hajah Sheri Washington | 218 | 1.2% | |
Independent | Gbatokai F. M. Dakinah | 145 | 0.8% | |
ANC | Frances Johnson Morris Allison | 137 | 0.7% | |
MPC | Dwolu Murvee Anderson Sr. | 56 | 0.3% | |
Total votes | 18,817 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
NPP | Jewel C. Howard-Taylor | 13,672 | 35.2% | |
Independent | Henrique Flomo Tokpa | 11,737 | 30.2% | |
UP | Ranney Banama Jackson | 4,038 | 10.4% | |
LP | Franklin Obed Siakor | 2,497 | 6.4% | |
CDC | Augustus Jonathan Flomo | 2,265 | 5.8% | |
GDPL | Martin Fahnlon Kerkula Sr. | 1,213 | 3.1% | |
NDC | Edwin Tokpa Juah | 872 | 2.2% | |
LINU | James Karpee Saybay | 681 | 1.8% | |
Independent | Numehn Owen Dunbar | 533 | 1.4% | |
VCP | Benedict Kpakama Sagbeh | 386 | 1.0% | |
ANC | James Yarkpawolo Gbarbea Jr. | 375 | 1.0% | |
LTP | Jefferson Gbaryan | 342 | 0.9% | |
MPC | Mator M. F. Kpangbai | 201 | 0.5% | |
Total votes | 38,812 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
ANC | Daniel Flomo Naatehn Sr. | 3,962 | 34.3% | |
UP | Gertrude Tene Lamin | 1,906 | 16.5% | |
CDC | Nathaniel Farlo McGill | 1,636 | 14.2% | |
APD | J. S. B. Theodore Momo Jr. | 1,431 | 12.4% | |
LP | Sumoward Edwin Harris | 1,241 | 10.7% | |
PUP | Fatuma Mamie Zinnah | 1,159 | 10.0% | |
NDC | Alaric K. Tokpa | 219 | 1.9% | |
Total votes | 11,554 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LP | Jonathan Lambort Kaipay | 16,296 | 57.4% | |
Independent | Gbehzohngar Milton Findley | 10,306 | 36.3% | |
Independent | Gabriel B. Smith | 1,353 | 4.8% | |
ANC | Siokin Civicus Barsi-Giah | 236 | 0.8% | |
CDC | Solomon James Murray | 213 | 0.7% | |
Total votes | 28,404 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
UP | Varney Sherman | 13,651 | 61.7% | |
CDC | Fodee Kromah | 3,431 | 15.5% | |
NPP | Abel Momodu Massalay | 1,131 | 5.1% | |
ANC | Simeon Boima Taylor | 1,083 | 4.9% | |
ULD | James Kormah Momo | 884 | 4.0% | |
PUP | Victor Varney Watson | 654 | 3.0% | |
NDC | Matthew V. Z. Darblo Sr. | 582 | 2.6% | |
LP | Jesse Zinnah Segbo | 440 | 2.0% | |
LTP | Mohammed Abraham Ware Sr. | 181 | 0.8% | |
Independent | Elizabeth G. M. Armstrong | 52 | 0.2% | |
GDPL | Henrietta Victoria Kandakai | 38 | 0.2% | |
Total votes | 22,127 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CDC | A. Marshall Dennis | 6,148 | 35.9% | |
Independent | Zoe Emmanuel Pennue | 3,273 | 19.1% | |
PUP | George Saigbe Boley Sr. | 2,146 | 12.5% | |
LP | Thomas Yaya Nimely | 2,109 | 12.3% | |
MPC | Charles Gaye Breeze Jr. | 1,076 | 6.3% | |
Independent | Samuel Kanyon Doe Jr. | 870 | 5.1% | |
NDC | George Sluwar Dweh Sr. | 509 | 3.0% | |
APD | Cyrus S. Cooper II | 388 | 2.3% | |
ANC | William K. Glay Sr. | 221 | 1.3% | |
NPP | William Y. Glay | 196 | 1.1% | |
GDPL | Cecilia K. Towah | 190 | 1.1% | |
Total votes | 17,126 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Albert Tugbe Chie | 5,619 | 45.4% | |
UP | Rosalind Segbe Tonne Sneh | 2,781 | 22.5% | |
Independent | Samuel E. S. Badio | 1,551 | 12.5% | |
APD | Gbenimah Balu Slopadoe I | 879 | 7.1% | |
MPC | Patrice Pokar Weah | 611 | 4.9% | |
NDC | Amos Yonkon Bartu | 576 | 4.7% | |
ANC | Joseph N. Kpanie II | 362 | 2.9% | |
Total votes | 12,379 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LP | Stephen J. H. Zargo | 12,797 | 26.2% | |
APD | Joseph Kpator Jallah | 8,554 | 17.5% | |
Independent | Alhaji G. V. Kromah | 7,127 | 14.6% | |
PUP | Sumo G. Kupee | 6,288 | 12.9% | |
ANC | Stanley S. Kparkillen | 4,855 | 9.9% | |
CDC | Galakpai Woizee Kortimai | 3,570 | 7.3% | |
UP | Francis Mazuwu Carbah | 2,966 | 6.1% | |
Independent | Fomba Varlee Sannoh | 1,870 | 3.8% | |
GDPL | Gladys G. Y. Beyan | 785 | 1.6% | |
Total votes | 48,812 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PUP | Jim Womba Tornonlah | 7,893 | 30.5% | |
CDC | Ansu Dao Sonii | 6,640 | 25.7% | |
NPP | Saah Richard Gbollie | 2,696 | 10.4% | |
ANC | J. Stanley Nyumah | 2,280 | 8.8% | |
LP | Clarice Alpha Jah | 1,967 | 7.6% | |
ULD | Roland C. Kaine | 1,712 | 6.6% | |
GDPL | William Garway Sharpe | 928 | 3.6% | |
UP | Edna Araminta Lloyd | 715 | 2.8% | |
Independent | Gabriel Gahie Bedell Jr. | 349 | 1.3% | |
APD | William R. Slocum | 272 | 1.1% | |
LTP | Pennoh Wreh Bestman | 196 | 0.8% | |
MPC | B. Abraham F. Tengbeh | 155 | 0.6% | |
NDC | John Fayah Josiah | 66 | 0.3% | |
Total votes | 25,869 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | J. Gbleh-bo Brown | 5,192 | 32.7% | |
CDC | Bhofal Chambers | 5,116 | 32.2% | |
PUP | Isaac Blalu Roland | 2,122 | 13.4% | |
NPP | James N. Anderson II | 1,101 | 6.9% | |
UP | John A. Ballout Jr. | 877 | 5.5% | |
ANC | Thomas G. Bedell | 621 | 3.9% | |
ULD | Abraham Botimo Jackson | 506 | 3.2% | |
LP | Roosevelt S. Kla-Fleh | 339 | 2.1% | |
Total votes | 15,874 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CDC | George Weah | 99,226 | 78.0% | |
Independent | Robert Alvin Sirleaf | 13,692 | 10.8% | |
LP | Benjamin Robert Sanvee | 4,410 | 3.5% | |
Independent | Christopher Zeohn Neyor | 3,730 | 2.9% | |
LTP | Sheikh Al Moustapha Kouyateh | 2,348 | 1.8% | |
LINU | Nathaniel T. Blama Sr. | 1,098 | 0.9% | |
Independent | Miatta Aries Fahnbulleh | 970 | 0.8% | |
UP | Ali Sylla | 610 | 0.5% | |
Independent | J. Musu Freeman-Sumo | 427 | 0.3% | |
Independent | Celia Cuffy-Brown | 396 | 0.3% | |
PUP | James Laveli Supuwood | 331 | 0.3% | |
Total votes | 127,238 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Prince Johnson | 37,932 | 66.6% | |
LP | Edith Lianue Gongloe-Weh | 9,471 | 16.6% | |
CDC | Yamie QuiQui Gbeisay Sr. | 5,941 | 10.4% | |
ANC | Peter Y. B. Weato | 2,210 | 3.9% | |
NDC | Joseph D. Z. Korto | 943 | 1.7% | |
NPP | John Leagar Teah | 426 | 0.7% | |
Total votes | 56,923 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
NDC | Francis Saturday Paye | 1,959 | 22.8% | |
UP | Wellington Geevon Smith | 1,278 | 14.9% | |
ANC | J. Josephus Burgess Sr. | 1,010 | 11.7% | |
VCP | Bob Tompoe-Ziankahn | 880 | 10.2% | |
MPC | Rosana Glaypohkpay D. H. Schaack | 687 | 8.0% | |
PUP | Jay Jonathan Banney | 627 | 7.3% | |
NPP | Victor Missiongar Wilson | 611 | 7.1% | |
LP | D. Onesimus Banwon | 566 | 6.6% | |
APD | Jerry Vogar Geedeh | 441 | 5.1% | |
ULD | Emmanuel S. Toe | 312 | 3.6% | |
CDC | Teplah P. Reeves | 143 | 1.7% | |
Independent | Minnie Travers Tomah | 82 | 1.0% | |
Total votes | 8,596 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
UP | Conmany Wesseh | 2,672 | 26.1% | |
APD | Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie | 1,719 | 16.8% | |
ANC | Daniel G. Johnson | 1,565 | 15.3% | |
PUP | Charles Korkor Bardyl | 1,308 | 12.8% | |
Independent | Andrew Nyenpan Saytue Sr. | 1,031 | 10.1% | |
CDC | Alexander P. B. Yeaher | 742 | 7.3% | |
ULD | Geetor Sarku Saydee | 678 | 6.6% | |
LTP | Michael A. Cooper | 322 | 3.1% | |
NPP | G. Saygbegee Davis Sr. | 193 | 1.9% | |
Total votes | 10,230 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
UP | Juojulue Milton Teahjay | 6,772 | 50.1% | |
APD | Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan | 4,726 | 35.0% | |
NPP | Delcontee Juah Wleh Sr. | 739 | 5.5% | |
Independent | Michael Geegbae Mueller | 427 | 3.2% | |
Independent | Oscar Jaryee Quiah | 304 | 2.3% | |
CDC | Richmond Nagbe Tobii | 289 | 2.1% | |
MPC | Klahn-Gboloh Jarbah | 252 | 1.9% | |
Total votes | 13,509 | 100.0 |
Judicial branch
[edit]There is a Supreme Court, criminal courts, and appeals court and magistrate courts in the counties. There also are traditional courts and lay courts in the counties. Trial by ordeal is practiced in various parts of Liberia.
Administrative divisions
[edit]The basic unit of local government is the town chief. There are clan chiefs, paramount chiefs, and district commissioners. The counties are governed by superintendents appointed by the President. There are fifteen counties in Liberia.
# | County | Capital | Established | Area (km2) | Population (2008 Census) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Tubmanburg | 1984 | 1,932 | 84,119 |
2 | ![]() | Gbarnga | 1964 | 8,754 | 333,481 |
3 | ![]() | Bopulu | 2001 | 9,953 | 83,388 |
4 | ![]() | Buchanan | 1847 | 7,814 | 221,693 |
5 | ![]() | Robertsport | 1856 | 4,781 | 127,076 |
6 | ![]() | Zwedru | 1964 | 10,855 | 125,258 |
7 | ![]() | Barclayville | 1984 | 3,895 | 57,913 |
8 | ![]() | Voinjama | 1964 | 9,982 | 276,863 |
9 | ![]() | Kakata | 1985 | 2,691 | 209,923 |
10 | ![]() | Harper | 1857 | 2,297 | 135,938 |
11 | ![]() | Bensonville | 1847 | 1,880 | 1,118,241 |
12 | ![]() | Sanniquellie | 1964 | 11,551 | 462,026 |
13 | ![]() | Rivercess | 1985 | 5,564 | 71,509 |
14 | ![]() | Fish Town | 2000 | 5,113 | 66,789 |
15 | ![]() | Greenville | 1847 | 9,764 | 102,391 |
International organization participation
[edit]ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit (Report). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Junger, Sebastian (October 2003). "Liberia's Savage Harvest". Vanity Fair. Vol. 9, no. 518. pp. 276–286.
- ^ "Sirleaf seen winning Liberia run-off vote". Reuters. 7 November 2011.
- ^ Nkosinathi Shazi (23 January 2018). "From Football King To Liberian President – George Weah's Journey". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Greatest African Strikers". Johannesburg Post. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 youngest serving presidents in Africa, 2018". Listwand. 3 October 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ a b "George Weah sworn in as Liberia's president". BBC. 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Liberia's George Weah concedes presidential election defeat to Joseph Boakai". France 24. 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Boakai sworn in as new Liberia president after victory over Weah". Al Jazeera.
- ^ "2014 Special Senatorial Election". National Elections Commission. 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Clower, Robert W. "Growth without development. An economic survey of Liberia." (1966).
- Ellis, Stephen. The Mask of Anarchy updated edition: The destruction of Liberia and the religious dimension of an African civil war. NYU Press, 2007.
- Fraenkel, Merran. Tribe and class in Monrovia. publ. for the International African Institute by the Oxford Univ. Press, 1970.
- Gifford, Paul. Christianity and politics in Doe's Liberia. Vol. 2. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- SS Hlophe, Class, ethnicity and politics in Liberia: a class analysis of power struggles in the Tubman and Tolbert administrations from 1944-1975 - 1979 - University Press of America
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