By James T. Brooks
Monrovia, Liberia – On Monday, October 13, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. marked the opening of the October Term of the Supreme Court of Liberia with a powerful address, using the occasion to issue a strong call for urgent and genuine reform within the nation’s Judiciary.
Gathered at the Temple of Justice, the President emphasized that the new court term signifies not just a fresh start, but a necessary “renewal of public trust” in one of the three co-equal branches of government.
A major theme of the President’s remarks was the importance of transition and renewal at the highest level of the Judiciary. He extended “heartfelt congratulations” to Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, expressing support for his “expressed determination to pursue long-needed reforms.”
President Boakai also welcomed the newest member of the bench, Associate Justice Boakai N. Kanneh, stating that his appointment brings “new energy, experience, and perspective,” and represents a continued effort to strengthen the court’s “integrity, balance, and independence.”
The President stressed that the Judiciary’s role is critical as the “ultimate guardian of liberty and fairness.” He underscored the sacred obligation shared by the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary: “to serve the Liberian people with integrity, fairness, and respect for the law.”
Citing an African proverb—”The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people”—President Boakai issued a stark warning, noting that if the courts are weak, the very foundation of Liberia’s democracy “will not endure.”
Addressing Public Concern and Committing to Support
Acknowledging widespread public skepticism, the President stated that concerns regarding the slow pace of trials, lack of transparency, and the perception that justice “bends under influence” are “legitimate, and they demand urgent, courageous, and genuine reform.”
He voiced encouragement for the Chief Justice’s ambitious vision, which includes:
- Modernizing court administration.
- Improving case management.
- Strengthening judicial integrity.
- Decentralizing justice delivery to ensure accessibility for all Liberians.
President Boakai reaffirmed the Executive’s commitment, promising to support the Judiciary’s independence while improving the working conditions of judges and magistrates through better training, facilities, and logistics.
Linking the justice system directly to the nation’s economic progress, President Boakai highlighted that reform is essential for national development, especially as his administration pursues the ARREST Agenda (Pillar 3 being the Rule of Law).
“A nation cannot progress where laws are ignored, where contracts are broken, or where the weak have no recourse,” the President asserted. He made it clear that investors will only come to Liberia where processes are predictable, the law is clear, and contracts are respected.
A Call for Integrity and Professionalism
The President concluded with a fervent call to duty for all actors within the justice system:
- To Judges and Magistrates: He urged them to perform their duties with dignity and courage, ensuring their judgments are guided by “truth and conscience.”
- To Lawyers and Court Officers: He called upon them to let ethics and professionalism guide their advocacy and ensure their pursuit of truth remains “untainted by personal gain or influence.”
- To Citizens: He reminded the people that justice is not solely a matter for the courts, but a “culture for the people,” urging them to uphold fairness and compassion in their daily lives.
President Boakai concluded by urging all three branches of government to walk together to achieve a justice system that is “impartial, accessible, and worthy of the trust of our people,” as Liberia continues to “think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
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