Review of the 1986 Constitution
National dialogue and legal-policy work examining the case for amendment or broader review of Liberia's 1986 Constitution.
Where this project sits in the reform process
Current recorded stage: Consultation. The pathway above is an indicative public view of the reform cycle; individual projects may follow different sequences.
Overview
The Governance Commission and Law Reform Commission opened a national dialogue in June 2026 on the future of the 1986 Constitution, including questions of democratic governance, accountability, decentralisation and inclusion.
Project scope
- Area of law
- Constitutional & Governance Law
- Geographic scope
- National
- People affected
- All Liberians; public institutions; civil society; political actors; youth; traditional leaders
- Commenced
- 11 June 2026
- Public participation
- Currently open
Issue, objectives and review questions
The issueWhy reform is being consideredSome constitutional provisions and governance arrangements require assessment against Liberia's present institutional, social and economic…
Some constitutional provisions and governance arrangements require assessment against Liberia's present institutional, social and economic realities.
ObjectivesWhat the reform seeks to achieveSupport evidence based national dialogue; identify areas requiring reform; promote broad participation; and develop technically sound pathways…
Support evidence-based national dialogue; identify areas requiring reform; promote broad participation; and develop technically sound pathways for constitutional change.
Key questionsQuestions guiding the reviewWhich constitutional provisions require amendment? Which issues require broad national consensus? What process would best protect legitimacy…
Which constitutional provisions require amendment? Which issues require broad national consensus? What process would best protect legitimacy, inclusion and constitutional stability?
Consultations
Project outcome
National dialogue and technical review are ongoing. Any constitutional reform would require the processes prescribed by Liberia's constitutional framework.
