President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has officially launched the nation’s National Security Strategy aimed at offering a renewed framework built on anticipation, inclusion, and the conviction that security is fundamentally about protecting people, enhancing dignity, and enabling prosperity.
According to an Executive Mansion press release, “The strategy will be driven through conceptualized traditional security approaches by placing human security, respect for human rights, and citizen-centered governance at the core of our efforts.”
Launching the ten-year strategy, covering 2026–2036, that introduces a decisive shift in the national security approach from sector-based responses to an integrated, anticipatory, and whole-of-society security architecture, President Boakai described the framework as a foundational prerequisite that serves as a catalyst for effective governance and national development, particularly in addressing global and national challenges, that cannot be overemphasized.
The new strategy focuses primarily on immediate kinetic threats or isolated institutional responsibilities where participation and prevention, domains, as well as coordination between civil society and security institutions align with national security efforts with public health, education, justice, livelihoods, and local governance.
The President averred that the National Security Strategy (2026–2036) is a significant milestone in the nation’s collective journey toward building a peaceful, secure, and resilient nation. He said that it serves as a shared aspiration and a clear roadmap for safeguarding Liberia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national stability, and democratic values.
The Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia and Chairperson of the National Security Council asserted that, in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the nature of threats to national security—including transnational organized crime, acts of sabotage, cyber-related risks, economic vulnerabilities, and emerging public health challenges—continues to evolve. The response as a nation, he noted, must be proactive, coordinated, and forward-looking.
The Liberian Leader revealed that the National Security Strategy provides a comprehensive framework to effectively address these challenges, adding that it is grounded in a detailed assessment of Liberia’s security environment and prioritizes the protection of citizens, strengthening of institutions, and the promotion of sustainable peace.
Importantly, the President stated that the ten-year strategy recognizes that “national security is not the sole responsibility of the traditional security sector; rather, it is a shared responsibility that encompasses good governance, justice, economic security, and social cohesion.”
As Chair of the National Security Council, President Boakai recommitted his administration’s unflinching commitment to strengthening the capacity, professionalism, and accountability of security institutions.
The Liberian Chief Executive assured, “We will continue to invest in intelligence coordination, border security, and community-based policing approaches that foster trust between citizens and security agencies.”
Meanwhile, President Boakai has called for the active participation of all national actors at every stratum of the society to contribute to the implementation of the strategy, stating that each Liberian plays an indispensable role in supporting national security architecture.
He added that the government will deepen collaboration with regional and international partners, particularly within ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, as well as other friendly nations and multilateral institutions, to address shared security challenges and promote collective peace and stability.
The President concluded by commending all stakeholders who contributed to the formation of the strategy, including government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners for their invaluable insights and commitment in formulating the framework. He implored National Security actors to ensure that strategies evolve with time and changing circumstances, and that the government remains committed to reviewing and adapting frameworks in the best interest of our country.
