In Liberia, civil society organisations are raising red flags over a proposed bill to amend the 2018 Local Government Act (LGA). The groups argue that the amendments—especially those curbing the powers of county councils—threaten the country’s progress towards decentralisation.

The current law empowers county councils, including representatives from youth, women, persons with disabilities, chiefs, and civil society, to approve local development plans and budgets. Civil society groups say the proposed changes could centralise power, weaken local governance, and stifle community participation.

While proponents of the amendments claim the changes will enhance legislative oversight, critics say the move risks rolling back hard-won gains in local empowerment. Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of CENTAL, spoke on behalf of the coalition, calling on lawmakers to withdraw the bill.