-House cites Internal Affairs Minister, NEC Boss
By Jerromie S. Walters
The plenary of the House of Representatives (HoR) has summoned Liberia’s Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalinand NEC Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah to address concerns of grieved violation of Article 56 B of the 1986 constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which regulates the elections of Paramount, Clan, and Town Chiefs.
Minister Francis Nyumalin is scheduled to appear before the plenary next Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The House decision was triggered by a communication from Nehker E Gaye Representative District #3, Nimba County Co-Chair, and House committee on foreign affairs.
Representative Gaye’s communication reads, “Hon. Speaker: I Present my compliments and wish to bring to the plenary’s attention on frequent violation by successive Governments of Article 56 B of the 1986 constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which states that “There shall be elections of Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs by the registered voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years. They may be re-elected and may be removed only by the president for proved misconduct. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for their qualifications as may be required”.
He referenced: “Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, it can be recalled that since the last chieftaincy elections in 1999, there has been no election for local chiefs in various clans and chiefdoms within the geographical space of Liberia, in fulfillment of Article 56 B. of the constitution of Liberia, which I feel that is a usual and deliberate act in violation of our supreme laws of the Land.”
Representative Gaye states his experience of appointments of paramount and clan chiefs through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which he believes further undermines the constitutional legitimacy of procedures leading to holding the positions mentioned supra.
The Nimba County Legislator rallied his colleagues: “Hon. Speaker, It’s noticed that some clans and chiefdoms citizens have experienced appointments of paramount and clan chiefs through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which further undermines the constitutional legitimacy of procedures leading to holding the positions mentioned supra. In this regard, I am craving the Indulgence of the plenary to launch an inquiry from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Elections Commission (NEC) as to why elections are not being held for this long period of time.”
MIA
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Nation’s oldest and largest institution, has seen significant reforms since its establishment in 1864, known then as the PARISH. The changes were manifested in all key areas, including its Mandate, Nomenclature and Structure.
In the first few decades of the young Republic, the territorial influence of government could be extended and felt only a few hundred kilometers in-land from the coast. Interaction with the rural masses was very limited. Therefore,the institution’s responsibility was, to Administer Local Governance which basically involved Collection of Taxes, Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility, and Seeking the Welfare of the People.
As the years passed and Liberia advanced in age, experience and international recognition, so also the scope and demands of Local Administration broadened and necessitated fundamental changes with the times. Thus, the name of the governing entity was changed from the PARISH, first, to DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (1927), then to MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN RECONSTRUCTION (1971), and again, to MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (1982), the present name.
Along with the change of names also evolved the structure of the institution. Under the PARISH, was a single Department of Administration with Divisions and Sections to handle specific duties. Under the INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, special Sections such as Native and Tribal Affairs, and Native Appellate Court, were created to deal with tribal and cultural matters.
Under MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN RECONSTRUCTION, The two large Departments of Rural Development and Urban Affairs were created; and finally under INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY, the Rural Development Department was merged with the newly created Ministry of Rural Development at the time, now Ministry of Public Works, and the Department of Operation was created in its place.
The Ministry has since remained Internal Affairs, before and after the civil crisis, with four large Departs of Administration, Operation, Urban Affairs and Research and Development Planning, which comprise Divisions, Bureaus and Sections that carry out requisite activities.
