To what extent does Liberia’s legislature have the necessary authority, ability and attitude to provide effective security sector oversight? What effect has international involvement had on security sector reform in Liberia? This paper from the Centre on International Cooperation examines internationalised SSR and legislative oversight of the security sector in Liberia. It finds that while international support has helped to deliver critical reforms, it has also led to a top-down decision-making process lacking local consultation. The legislature and civil society are therefore important avenues for Liberians to shape the direction of security discourse.
Liberia’s SSR process has focused mainly on reform of the police and armed forces, to the neglect of other parts of the security sector. Therefore, SSR has yet to respond sufficiently to local needs, creating the impression that it serves the interests of external supporters rather than Liberians. However, the efforts of national and international actors have opened space for dialogue and led to the inclusion of the legislature in the SSR process.
Liberia’s legislature has traditionally been a weak counterbalance to the executive. In order to provide effective security sector oversight, it requires strengthening in three dimensions: authority, ability and attitude. Findings on these dimensions in the Liberian context include the following:
- The Constitution of Liberia and the acts establishing security sector agencies provide legal authority for legislative oversight of the security sector. Article 34 of the Constitution gives the legislature a wide range of powers on all security issues.
- The rules and regulations of the legislature provide for the establishment of committees on security and defence with the authority to oversee the security sector. Senate committees have the power to hold hearings and summon witnesses.
- The complexity and secrecy of the security sector pose a challenge to oversight. The high turnover of Liberian legislators also poses a problem, since maintaining membership of the legislature and committees is the best way to develop expertise.
- Lack of educational attainment is less of a hurdle for Liberian legislators than might be expected. Legislators have benefited from policy seminars and training drawing on the experience of other parliamentarians in West Africa.
- Historically, Liberia’s legislature has always yielded to the will of the executive. However, the relevant security committees have been active in ensuring that they have a say, including through summoning ministers to explain issues.
- Historically, party loyalty has tended to undermine effective legislative oversight. However, legislators now mostly act independently without hindrance and have stronger relationships with their constituencies than with their parties.
The emerging role of the legislature in oversight should help to legitimise the state security apparatus and empower the legislature relative to the executive. However, a number of further issues remain to be addressed:
- The SSR process is not embedded in the overall development agenda of the country. A broader and deeper notion of security needs to be shared by the new administration.
- Parliamentarians have been involved in consultations leading to the national security strategy and the draft Defence Act. However, they have not been involved in other important decisions concerning Liberia’s SSR programme.
- Regional security issues continue to threaten Liberia’s fragile stability. Countries in the Mano River region should cooperate to address these issues.
