Liberia - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Liberia, it was name derives from the Latin word "liber" meaning "free"; so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
National symbols

White star; national colors: red, white, blue.

The flag
The National flag of Liberia has 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white, five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor.
The National Anthem
Title "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"
Lyric/music Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA
More about the government of Liberia
Date of Independence 26 July 1847
National holiday Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Legal system mixed legal system of common law, based on Anglo-American law, and customary law
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revision adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986
Amendments Proposed by agreement of at least two thirds of both National Assembly houses or by petition of at least 10,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval of both houses and approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of registered voters; amended 2011, 2020
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)
Head of government President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024)
Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate
Elections/appointments president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-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 October 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Election results
2023:
Joseph BOAKAI elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (CDC) 43.8%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 43.4%, Edward APPLETON (GDM) 2.2%, Lusinee KAMARA (ALCOP) 2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS, Jr. (CPP) 1.6%, Tiawan Saye GONGLOE (LPP) 1.4%, other 5.6%; percentage of vote in second round - Joseph BOAKAI 50.6%, George WEAH 49.4%

2017: George WEAH elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, other 7.8%; percentage of vote in second round - George WEAH 61.5%, Joseph BOAKAI 38.5%
Legislative branch
Description Bicameral National Assembly consists of:
The Liberian Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms; each district elects 1 senator and elects the second senator 3 years later, followed by a 6-year hiatus, after which the first Senate seat is up for election)
House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term)
Elections Senate - general election held on 10 October 2023 with half the seats up for election (next to be held in October 2029)
House of Representatives - last held on 10 October 2023 (next to be held in October 2029)

 

Election results Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - CDC 34.3%, UP 12.0%, MDR 7.1%, LRP 1.5%, independent 24.3%; seats by party/coalition - CDC 6, UP 1, MDR 1, LRP 1, independent 6; composition- men 27, women 3, percentage women 10%

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - CDC 22.1%, UP 13.1%, CPP 7.6%, MDR 2.8%, PUP 4.3%, ALP 2.5%, LINU 2.3%, MPC 1.0%, NDC 1.0%, VOLT 0.8%, LRP 0.8%, Independent 25.7%; seats by party/coalition - CDC 25, UP 11, CPP 6, MDR 4, PUP 2, ALP 1, LINU 1, MPC 1, NDC 1, VOLT 1 LRP 1, independent 19; composition- men 65, women 8, percentage women 11%; total Parliament percentage women 10.6%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases
Judge selection and term of office Chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70
Subordinate courts Judicial circuit courts; special courts, including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Jeff Gongoer DOWANA, Sr. (since 12 December 2022)
Chancery 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Telephone [1] (202) 723-0437
FAX [1] (202) 723-0436
Email address and website
[email protected]

http://www.liberianembassyus.org/
Consulate(s) general New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d'Affaires Catherine RODRIGUEZ (since 11 August 2023)
Embassy 502 Benson Street, Monrovia
Mailing address 8800 Monrovia Place, Washington DC  20521-8800
Telephone [231] 77-677-7000
FAX [231] 77-677-7370
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://lr.usembassy.gov/
Key Political parties and their leaders in Liberia
  • International organization participation
  • ACP
  • AfDB
  • AU
  • ECOWAS
  • EITI (compliant country)
  • FAO
  • G-77
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICC (NGOs)
  • ICCt
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • IMO
  • IMSO
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • ISO (correspondent)
  • ITU
  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • MIGA
  • NAM
  • OPCW
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UNISFA
  • UNWTO
  • UPU
  • WCO
  • WFTU (NGOs)
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WTO
  • All Important Facts about Liberia

    Want to know more about Liberia? Check all different factbooks for Liberia below.

    Liberia is found in Western Africa