Liberia: Activists plan sit-in protests in Monrovia

Event

Activist groups are planning to hold demonstrations in the capital city of Monrovia in support of the Land Rights Act (LRA). According to media reports on Thursday, April 26, a number of groups, including the Sustainable Development Institute, are preparing to hold sit-in protests in the coming weeks as Liberia’s Senate reviews the law. As of Friday, April 27, no specific details have been released concerning when and where the upcoming demonstrations may be held.

Context

The activist campaign began started in mid-April, with women marching to the presidential palace in Monrovia in support of the LRA. Under the LRA, customary land cannot be privatized without community consent. After being inaugurated in January 2018, President George Weah ordered a review of land concessions under the previous administration. Many Liberians live on customary land, which is mostly administered by local chiefs without legal title. Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf increased concessions during her tenure, allowing logging, mining, and agricultural companies to take control of the customary lands. Activists believe that some of the deals were made illegally or do not provide the local communities with a fair share of investments.

Advice

Individuals in Monrovia, and Libera more generally, are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution.