By Staff Writer | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has issued Executive Order No. 162, extending the mandatory registration of firearms in civilian possession, in what the government describes as a decisive step to confront Liberia’s growing security threats. The move comes amid mounting concerns over the proliferation of illicit weapons and their increasing use in armed robberies and violent crimes across the country.
In the Executive Order, President Boakai warned that “the Government of the Republic of Liberia has continued to observe the growing national security threat posed by the high rate of possession of illicit firearms and ammunition,” including military-style weapons circulating within and across Liberia’s borders. He further noted that persistent reports of armed violence, often involving locally manufactured weapons, continue to endanger communities.
The President acknowledged that previous efforts to control the spread of small arms have not yielded sufficient results. According to the order, “the proliferation and unregulated possession and use of illicit small arms and light weapons remain a serious threat to the country’s peace, security, and economic growth,” underscoring the urgency behind the extension.
Boakai emphasized the broader implications of unchecked weapons circulation, stating that firearms and ammunition “are the primary tools used to fuel conflicts and undermine development.” He cautioned that the continued presence of illicit arms not only threatens Liberia’s fragile peace but also poses risks to stability across the wider West African sub-region.
The Executive Order draws a direct link between the spread of illegal weapons and rising incidents of violent crime, including rape and other forms of gender-based violence. The President stressed that such crimes “continue to be fueled and prolonged by the proliferation and uncontrolled use of illicit small arms,” thereby affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, while stalling national development.
Liberia’s international obligations also feature prominently in the President’s directive. The order references commitments under the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty and the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, noting that the country remains duty-bound to implement measures aimed at curbing illegal arms trafficking and use.
At the domestic level, the order reinforces existing legal provisions, including the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2015 and relevant sections of the Penal Code. These laws criminalize the illegal possession, use, and supply of firearms, while allowing limited exceptions under strict regulatory oversight for purposes such as hunting, traditional ceremonies, and specific security needs.
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts by the government, through the Commission on Arms, to strengthen control mechanisms. These include the marking and recording of state-owned weapons, regular inspection of armories, training of security personnel, and the collection and destruction of illicit firearms surrendered or seized by authorities.
