MONROVIA – The Govt Director of the Workplace for the Institution of Struggle and Financial Crimes Courtroom for Liberia (OWECC-L), Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu has known as on civil society organizations (CSOs) throughout Liberia to finish inner rivalries and embrace unity with a view to strengthen their credibility and effectiveness.
By Endurance Jones
Talking Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on the opening of a high-level dialogue on strengthening Liberia’s civic house in Monrovia, Cllr. Barbu warned that divisions inside the civil society sector danger undermining public belief and weakening advocacy efforts.
“When one CSO decides to tear down one other fairly than inviting a dialog and discovering a standard method to a easy downside, we set the tempo on how folks method civil society organizations,” Cllr. Barbu said. “We should look on this course throughout this dialogue.”
He careworn that social cohesion should start inside civil society itself, noting that escalated disputes not solely injury relationships amongst organizations but in addition erode confidence in CSOs as watchdogs and governance companions.
He additional urged stakeholders to not overlook systemic boundaries affecting civic actors. “As we deliberate right this moment, allow us to not shut our eyes to the writings on the partitions that inhibit the enabling situations for civil society organizations to thrive,” Cllr. Barbu said.
Whereas acknowledging progress in democratic governance, Cllr. Barbu emphasised that Liberia nonetheless has vital work to do in strengthening protections for civic actors and making certain a supportive authorized and digital atmosphere.
The engagement, organized by the Girls NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) with help from the European Union, introduced collectively authorities officers, improvement companions, girls and youth teams, and governance actors to evaluate Liberia’s enabling atmosphere for civil society underneath the EU’s Six Ideas framework.
Delivering the welcome remarks, WONGOSOL Govt Director, Madam Esther S. Davis Yango, described the initiative as well timed, noting that civic house globally faces rising restrictions and uncertainty.
She defined that the venture is funded by the European Fee via Forus underneath the EU System for an Enabling Surroundings for Civil Society (EU SEE), a six-year world programme working from 2024 to 2029 and applied in additional than 80 international locations.
The programme focuses on monitoring civic house developments and addressing systemic situations mandatory for civil society to thrive.
Talking on behalf of the European Union, Marie Paule Neuville reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to supporting an enabling civic atmosphere and challenged contributors to critically assess Liberia’s authorized and regulatory framework governing CSOs.
She questioned whether or not registration processes are accessible, whether or not funding alternatives are attainable, and whether or not advocacy work carries authorized dangers.
“Are civil society organizations consulted? Are their suggestions considered? Are platforms actually functioning?” she requested, whereas urging higher inclusion of ladies, youth, individuals with disabilities, and organizations outdoors Monrovia.
Cllr. Bowoula Taylor Kelly, Vice President of the Affiliation of Feminine Legal professionals of Liberia (AFELL), raised considerations about bureaucratic bottlenecks, significantly sectoral clearance necessities which will hinder CSOs from totally executing their mandates.
“The implementation is what’s missing,” she mentioned, emphasizing that shrinking civic house stays a urgent concern, particularly when organizations push for accountability.
In the meantime, Ma Kebeh Monger of the Nationwide Rural Girls Construction of Liberia known as for stronger recognition of grassroots organizations, significantly these led by rural girls.
She famous that rural actors contribute meaningfully to nationwide improvement however usually lack visibility and help.
The dialogue centered on the EU’s Six Ideas for an enabling civic atmosphere, together with respect for basic freedoms, supportive authorized and coverage frameworks, entry to sustainable funding, constructive state-civil society relations, constructive public recognition, and safe digital areas.
