Liberian Government Adopts 10-Year National Security Strategy
The Liberian Government has adopted a comprehensive 10-year National Security Strategy, spanning from 2026 to 2036, following an extensive two-year assessment across the country's 15 counties. President Joseph N. Boakai launched the strategy at the Executive Mansion on June 3, 2026.
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah disclosed that the strategy addresses various imminent threats, including local community concerns, border and maritime vulnerabilities, transnational crimes, climate change risks, technological threats in cyberspace, and longstanding social and economic challenges with potential to cause nationwide instability.
To formulate this strategy, the government consulted legal experts, security institutions, specialized technical groups, civil servants, regional partners, and development agencies such as the Folke Bernadotte Academy, the U.S. and Swedish Governments, the United Nations, and ECOWAS. This collaboration ensures alignment with evolving West African and international security architectures.
The new strategy marks a shift from reactive and sectoral responses to an integrated, anticipatory, and whole-of-society security architecture. It emphasizes anticipation and prevention by investing in early warning systems, risk-informed planning, and resilience-building before crises escalate. The strategy integrates across domains—land, sea, air, cyberspace, and economic and social spheres—to address the interdependence of modern threats.
Central to the strategy is the principle that security must serve the people, and the people must actively participate in delivering security. It affirms that a secure Liberia is achieved not solely through instruments of force but when citizens trust institutions, communities participate in safety planning, the rule of law protects rights, and opportunities reduce incentives for crimes and conflict.
The strategy requires community engagement and local ownership, strengthening county and district-level security committees. It emphasizes protection of rights and accountability, integrating human rights training, oversight, and community complaint mechanisms to build trust and legitimacy.
Inclusive prevention is prioritized, focusing on youth employment programs, education, and social reintegration to address root causes of insecurity and prevent youth recruitment into violent and criminal networks. Gender-sensitive policies ensure the safety and leadership of women and girls are central to national security outcomes.
Public information and resilience efforts aim to expand public awareness campaigns, digital literacy, and create early warning community platforms for citizens to recognize, report, and respond to threats collaboratively with authorities.
Finally, the strategy focuses on partnership-driven capacity building, strengthening cooperation with regional and international organizations, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to amplify resources, technical skills, and oversight.
