The 2025 Freedom House Report in possession of this paper has revealed that judicial independence in Liberia accounts for just 25%.
On a scale from 0 to 4, Liberia’s judiciary scored a mere one (1), signaling serious concerns over access to justice and the rule of law.
While the 1986 Constitution guarantees judicial independence, the report underscores that, in practice, the judiciary remains under the sway of executive influence and political interference.
A key example cited in the report is the controversial appointment-and subsequent retraction-of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as the head of the newly established Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).
President Joseph Boakai’s selection of Massaquoi, a former defense lawyer for individuals accused of war crimes and corruption, sparked immediate backlash from human rights advocates and civil society groups.
Critics argued that Massaquoi lacked the requisite experience in international criminal law and had conflicts of interest stemming from his past client list.
The decision to withdraw the appointment in August was seen by many as a political calculation rather than a principled stand for justice.
The incident, Freedom House noted, reflects a troubling blurring of lines between legal authority and political expediency.
Further denting public confidence in the judiciary, President Boakai’s attempts to remove tenured officials from several independent institutions raised eyebrows among legal experts.
These moves were widely condemned as violations of statutory protections and encroachments on the separation of powers, a cornerstone of democratic governance.
The Freedom House report painted an overall grim picture of the rule of law in Liberia.
In addition to the 25% score on judicial independence, the country also registered 25% for due process (F2) and 50% for protection from illegitimate force (F3).
A particularly damning episode highlighted in the report was the mass prison break in Kakata in September.
The escape of dozens of inmates threw a spotlight on Liberia’s struggling correctional system, plagued by underfunding, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions.
There were some signs of progress. In October, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), with support from international partners, launched a new legal aid program aimed at addressing gaps in legal representation.
However, Freedom House described this initiative as both a necessary reform and a tacit acknowledgment of the deep-rooted failures in ensuring fair and timely trials.
The report concluded that prolonged pretrial detention remains a widespread issue, contributing to public distrust in the courts and exposing citizens to the risk of arbitrary and politically motivated justice.
The Civil Liberties category showed mixed results. Freedom of the press earned only 50%, with continued pressure on journalists and editorial independence.
Meanwhile, indicators on personal expression, religious freedom, and assembly ranged between 75% and 100%, suggesting that while people can speak and organize relatively freely, systemic challenges limit the impact of that freedom.
Notably, protests throughout the year, some involving opposition party supporters, frequently ended in clashes with security forces, further raising concerns about state overreach and the suppression of dissent, the report highlighted.
While Liberia’s overall political framework shows signs of democratic resilience, the country’s score of 25% on the Freedom in the World index serves as a stark reminder that elections alone do not make a democracy.
The judiciary’s lack of independence, poor enforcement of due process, and institutionalized corruption continue to undermine public trust in governance.
The findings of the 2025 Freedom House Report serve as a clarion call for meaningful judicial reform and a recommitment to the rule of law.
Unless President Boakai’s administration makes concrete moves to strengthen the judiciary, enforce legal protections, and insulate key institutions from political interference, Liberia’s democratic future will remain uncertain, and fragile.
