Liberia: Stakeholders Call for Rewriting of 1986 Constitution

What the report says

Stakeholders at Liberia’s National Symposium on Constitutional Reform have called for a comprehensive rewrite of the country’s 1986 Constitution, according to The New Dawn via AllAfrica. The symposium was held over three days in Ganta, Nimba County, and concluded on November 6, 2026, with participants signing a Continuity Memorandum on Constitutional Reform.

The event was organized by Liberia’s Governance Commission and Law Reform Commission under the theme of advancing constitutional reform through national ownership, inclusion and democratic governance. Participants said the current constitution should be updated to reflect changing demographics, new national realities and the needs of present and future generations. They also focused on issues including decentralization, customary law, democratic governance, and protections for women, young people, people with disabilities and Liberians living abroad.

In the memorandum, the stakeholders urged the Governance Commission and Law Reform Commission to engage President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the National Legislature on steps to begin the review process. They also asked lawmakers to consider changes to Article 91, which governs constitutional amendment procedures, and called for public education so citizens can take part in the reform effort. The group further encouraged government officials to revisit earlier reform recommendations and sought continued technical and financial support from development partners, including UNDP.

The appeal matters because Liberia has long debated constitutional change, including how to make reform more inclusive and practical for broader governance needs. The memorandum signals renewed pressure for a structured national process rather than piecemeal amendments.