Government and Politics of Liberia

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Legal System

dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2023, with a runoff on 14 November 2023 (next to be held in 2029) election results: Joseph BOAKAI elected president in the second round; percent of vote, second round - Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 50.6%, George WEAH (CDC) 49.4% note: Liberia held a historic and closely contested presidential election in 2023, resulting in the defeat of incumbent President George WEAH by former Vice President Joseph BOAKAI of the Unity Party. BOAKAI, who had previously served as Vice President under Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF from 2006 to 2018, was inaugurated on 22 January 2024. JOHNSON-SIRLEAF, Africa's first elected female head of state, had served two six-year terms from 2006 to 2018 before being succeeded by WEAH following the 2017 election.

Legislative Branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2014); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held NA 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - COTOL 7, NPP 4, CDC 3, LP 3, UP 3, APD 3, other 7; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDC 15, LP 9, UP 8, COTOL 8, APD 5, NPP 4, other 15 note: the current six-year term for junior senators - those who received the second most votes in the election - is mandated by the Liberian constitution to stagger Senate elections and ensure continuity of government

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties

Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Togba-na TIPOTEH]; Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia or COTOL [leader NA]; Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [H. Varney SHERMAN]; Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN]; Unity Party or UP [Charles CLARKE]

Head of State

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF

Head of Government

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate

Elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to be held in 2011)

Election Results

Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 59.6%, George WEAH 40.4%

Constitution

6-Jan-86

Independence

26 July 1847

National Holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

International Organization Participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. MINOR chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald E. BOOTH embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380 FAX: [231] 226-148

Capital City

Monrovia

Location

6 18 N, 10 48 W

Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

named after James MONROE (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States and supporter of the colonization of Liberia by freed slaves; one of two national capitals named for a US president, the other is Washington, D.C.

U.S. Embassy Monrovia The U.S. Embassy is located at 502 Benson Street, Mamba Point, Monrovia. Telephone: 231-77-677-7111 Emergency after-hours telephone: 231-77-677-7000 Facsimile: 231-77-677-7370 U.S. citizens who wish to write to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia may address letters to: Consular Section 8800 Monrovia Place U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20521-8800. or (add Monrovia ACS email collective)

Military Branches

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Service Age and Obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription