Monrovia, Liberia – Questions are mounting over the public statuses of two senior officials following recent appointments by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., as their positions appear to have been omitted under the country’s newly established local governance framework.
At the center of the issue are Mr. Mike Khailelu B. Jabateh and Mr. Joseph N. D. Bannah, who were recently appointed as Assistant Minister for Peacebuilding and Deputy Minister for Peacebuilding, respectively. The controversy arises from the fact that these roles are not included in the structure of the newly created Ministry of Local Government, specifically Section 25.11 and Section 25.16 (Appointments of Deputy Ministers and Assistant Ministers).
The Ministry of Local Government was established by an Act passed by the Liberian Legislature and signed into law on July 28, 2025. The legislation replaced Chapter 25 of the former Ministry of Internal Affairs under Title 12 of the Executive Law of 1972. Its primary aim is to strengthen decentralization, granting counties increased autonomy and resources to drive development initiatives.
However, the absence of peacebuilding-related positions in the new ministry’s framework has sparked confusion within governance circles and among policy observers. Critics argue that appointing officials to roles that no longer exist under the current legal structure raises concerns about compliance with the law.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that neither Mr. Jabateh has not appeared before the Liberian Senate for confirmation — a constitutional requirement for certain executive appointments. Observers suggest that the ambiguity surrounding their roles may have contributed to this procedural gap.
The situation has prompted broader questions: Where do officials like Janateh and Bannah fit within the new governance arrangement? And how will peacebuilding functions be integrated into the decentralized system envisioned by the new law?
