… Civil Society Groups Call on Politicians to Respect their Independence and Mandates…
MONROVIA: Five major civil society bodies in Liberia have expressed in-depth concern about ongoing political intrusion by some county legislative caucuses and local government authorities to undermine county council structures that have been established across Liberia, in accordance with Chapter 2, Subsection 2.3, and Chapter 9, Subsection 9 of the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018.
The National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Integrity Watch Liberia, Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, Accountability Lab Liberia, and Naymote Partners for Democratic Development warned that the Local Government Act is a cornerstone of Liberia’s decentralization policy, designed to strengthen local governance, foster accountability and transparency, and promote citizens’ participation in decision-making processes at the local level.
Addressing Journalists at a Joint-Press Conference in Monrovia the groups also precautioned that any attempts to undermine these efforts represent a direct affront to the democratic values and principles that the Act, 1986 Liberian Constitution, and other good governance and accountability frameworks embody.
“The county councils, as established by law, are the legitimate bodies charged with the responsibility to represent the interests of their counties, including developing local policies and overseeing the implementation and tracking of priorities and targets of citizens-driven county development agendas.” They informed reporters
The groups also alleged that some political actors who aim to manipulate these bodies for personal gain threaten to derail the progress made in promoting inclusive governance, transparency, and accountability at the local level.
According to them, these alleged intrusions have taken the form of undue interferences in council activities, coercion of council members, and the imposition of decisions without proper consultation, which violate the spirit and intent of the Local Government Act.
They further indicated that such developments do not predict well for ongoing and future efforts to carefully implement the LGA, its attending approved regulations as well and other national instruments seeking to foster transparency and accountability as well as place citizens at the center of decision-making on identifying, allocating, and utilizing financial and non-financial resources intended to foster inclusive, transparent, and sustainable development at the county and local levels.
Recommendations:
Meanwhile, the collaborating civil society organizations are calling on all current and would-be political and other actors, especially members of the Legislature and the Executive, to think highly of the autonomy and independence of County Councils, as stipulated in the Local Government
Act of 2018.
They however remind politicians that the law clearly mandates that these councils are to operate independently, free from direct and indirect political interference (s), and guided by the collective will of the people they represent.
“The legitimacy of these councils must be upheld; their autonomy must not be compromised by individuals and groups seeking to advance personal or partisan agendas at the expense of good governance and the collective will of the people.”
Furthermore, the group calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Legislature to take immediate steps to investigate and address these instances of political interference.
“Any attempts to subvert the legitimate functions of county councils undermine Liberia’s efforts towards democratic decentralization, weaken local governance structures, and betray the aspirations of the Liberian people for a more inclusive and accountable government.”
Similarly, they encouraged civil society organizations, community-based organizations, traditional leaders, the media, and all well-meaning Liberians to remain vigilant and to speak out against current and future interferences with the composition, functions, activities, and processes of County Councils and other relevant local government structures.
They also mentioned that the fight for transparent, accountable, and effective local governance is a collective one. “We must not allow vested interests to erode the gains we have made towards decentralization and democratic sustainability, which we need to sustain and scale up.”
In conclusion:
The groups repeat that the success of Liberia’s decentralization process hinges on individual and collective commitments to uphold the laws of the land and to resist any direct and indirect actions that undermine the authority and independence of local governance structures, the County Councils in this instant case.
“Civil society remains resolute in its mission to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in Liberia and in all activities and processes. We will continue to aadvocate for and collaborate with government, citizens, the media, development partners, and other actors for full implementation of the Local Government Act and for the protection of the rights and interests of all Liberians, as enshrined in the Local Government Act of 2018 and other relevant laws.”