By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has officially launched Liberia’s National Security Strategy, describing security as the cornerstone of national development and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture amid evolving domestic, regional, and global threats.
Speaking Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Tea House of the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, President Boakai said the new National Security Strategy of the Republic of Liberia (NSSRL) represents a major step toward safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic governance, and long-term stability.
Addressing senior government officials, lawmakers, security leaders, diplomats, and members of the National Security Council, the President emphasized that security remains one of the most critical pillars upon which national progress depends.
“The critical importance of security in a world fraught with global challenges cannot be overemphasized,” President Boakai declared. “Security is foundational. It is both a prerequisite and a catalyst for development.”
The launch of the strategy comes at a time when Liberia, like many countries, faces increasingly complex security challenges ranging from transnational organized crime and border vulnerabilities to cyber threats, climate-related risks, economic pressures, and emerging public health concerns.
According to President Boakai, the strategy provides a comprehensive framework for responding to these evolving threats through a coordinated and forward-looking approach.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward building a peaceful, secure, and resilient nation,” he said. “This Strategy is not merely a document; it is a reflection of our shared aspirations as a people and a clear roadmap for safeguarding Liberia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national stability, and democratic progress.”
The President stressed that national security extends beyond the responsibilities of traditional security institutions and must be viewed through a broader governance lens that includes justice, economic opportunity, social cohesion, and accountable leadership.
“National security is not the sole responsibility of the traditional security sector, but a shared duty that encompasses good governance, justice, economic opportunity, and social cohesion,” Boakai stated.
As Chair of the National Security Council, the President pledged continued investment in strengthening the professionalism, accountability, and operational capacity of Liberia’s security institutions.
He disclosed that his administration will place particular emphasis on intelligence coordination, border security, and community-based security initiatives designed to improve trust between citizens and state institutions.
“We will continue to invest in intelligence coordination, border security, and community-based approaches that foster trust between citizens and the state,” he said.
President Boakai also linked national security directly to the government’s ability to manage public resources equitably and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
“Our true security rests upon how well we fulfill our democratic promise,” he emphasized. “The dividends of peace and security must trickle down to ordinary Liberians. Simply stated, it is about how we manage the resources of the country so that no one is left behind. When this happens, security will be assured.”
The President paid tribute to traditional leaders, local government officials, civil society organizations, and religious institutions, describing them as indispensable partners in maintaining peace and strengthening Liberia’s national security framework.
“Deep in the heart of our nation are our chiefs, elders, local leaders, superintendents, community leaders, civil society, and our religious community, who must be commended for their indispensable role in supporting our national security architecture,” he said.
Boakai further underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing shared security concerns. He pledged that Liberia would continue strengthening partnerships with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union (MRU), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations.
According to the President, such partnerships remain essential for addressing transnational threats and promoting collective stability throughout the region.
He assured Liberians that their safety, security, and well-being remain central to his administration’s priorities.
“Every citizen can be assured that their safety, security, and well-being remain at the heart of our national agenda,” Boakai said. “This Strategy is designed to ensure that every Liberian, regardless of location or circumstance, can live in dignity, free from fear, and with confidence in the future.”
The President also praised the extensive consultations that informed the development of the strategy, acknowledging the contributions of government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners.
He reserved special commendation for National Security Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods II, Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, and members of the Joint Security apparatus for their role in producing the document.
While celebrating the launch, Boakai noted that security strategies must remain adaptable to changing realities.
“Strategies change with time and conditions,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for continuous review and adjustment as new challenges emerge.
Concluding his address, the President called on all sectors of Liberian society to support the implementation of the National Security Strategy and work collectively toward protecting the country’s future.
“As we launch this National Security Strategy, I call upon all actors, public and private, to support its implementation,” Boakai said. “Let us work together, with unity of purpose and clarity of vision, to secure our nation for generations to come.”
