Liberia: 'Rethink the Disproportionate Appointments of Lofians in Govt'

What the report says

Liberian journalist and former Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas president Moses D. Sandy has criticized what he describes as President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s uneven distribution of senior government posts, saying the pattern appears to favor people from Lofa County, especially the Gbandi and Kissi communities and relatives of the president. His remarks were reported by the Liberian Observer and distributed by AllAfrica from Monrovia.

In a November 2 statement, Sandy argued that qualified Liberians from other parts of the country should also be considered for prominent roles in the Unity Party-led administration. He said the issue is not whether Lofians are entitled to public service, but whether they should dominate key ministries and agencies in a way that excludes others. Among the institutions he cited were the Commerce, Local Government, Finance and Development Planning, and Education ministries, along with agencies including the Central Bank of Liberia, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Liberia Immigration Service.

Sandy warned that appointments based on tribal or regional favoritism could deepen political tensions and weaken national unity. He compared the situation to earlier periods in Liberian history when unequal representation in government was cited as a grievance before conflict. His comments also referenced Boakai’s campaign promises and his 2024 inauguration pledge that governance would not continue as usual.

The intervention adds to ongoing debate in Liberia over inclusion in public appointments, a recurring issue in the country’s political history. Sandy urged Boakai and the ruling party to reconsider their approach, saying broader representation would help avoid alienating voters ahead of the 2029 election.