Warns Liberia Cannot Afford Complacency
Monrovia, Liberia—President Joseph N. Boakai has officially launched Liberia’s new National Security Strategy, declaring that security remains the bedrock of national development and warning that the country can no longer afford complacency amid growing global and domestic threats.
Launching the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Liberia on Wednesday, May 3, 2027, President Boakai described the document as more than a policy framework, calling it a national roadmap designed to safeguard Liberia’s sovereignty, protect citizens, and strengthen democratic stability in an increasingly uncertain world.
“The critical importance of security in a world fraught with global challenges cannot be overemphasized. Security is foundational; it is both a prerequisite and a catalyst for development,” he stated.
The strategy comes at a time when Liberia, like many nations, faces evolving security concerns ranging from transnational organized crime and cyber threats to climate risks, economic vulnerabilities, illegal migration, and emerging public health challenges.
However, President Boakai emphasized that the new security framework seeks to move beyond traditional approaches by promoting a broader understanding of national security, one that includes governance, justice, economic opportunities, and social cohesion. “National security is not the sole responsibility of the traditional security sector, but a shared duty,” he declared.
The Liberian leader reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security institutions through increased investment in intelligence coordination, border protection, professionalism, accountability, and community-based security initiatives aimed at building trust between citizens and the state. “Our true security rests upon how well we fulfill our democratic promise, stressing that peace and security dividends must directly benefit ordinary Liberians,” Boakai narrated.
In one of the strongest messages of the launch, he argued that effective resource management and inclusive development remain essential to maintaining long-term stability. “Simply stated, as to how we manage the resources of the country so that no one is left behind. When this happens, security will be assured,” he said.
The president also praised traditional leaders, county authorities, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities for what he described as their indispensable contribution to Liberia’s security architecture. Acknowledging the regional nature of modern security threats, Boakai pledged stronger partnerships with regional and international institutions to tackle shared challenges.
He specifically highlighted collaboration through ECOWAS, the Mano River Union, the African Union, and the United Nations as critical to maintaining collective stability. The president said extensive consultations involving government agencies, security institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners shaped the final strategy, praising the national security advisor, the Ministry of Justice, and the Joint Security apparatus for what he called a historic achievement.
While presenting the strategy as a major step forward, Boakai acknowledged that security planning must remain flexible. “Strategies change with time and conditions,” he said.
Closing the launch, the President called for nationwide support to ensure successful implementation of the strategy, emphasizing that national security requires collective ownership. “Let us work together, with unity of purpose and clarity of vision, to secure our nation for generations to come,” he maintained.
Picture credit: Executive Mansion Press
