By Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
Monrovia, Liberia — Liberia’s Minister of Justice, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, has renewed calls for deeper African unity and greater legal harmonization across the sub-region, stressing that strong legal institutions are essential to the continent’s democratic and developmental aspirations.
The Minister made the remarks on Friday at the University of Liberia during the induction ceremony of the newly elected leadership of the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS).
The program brought together law students, academics, and senior legal figures, highlighting the growing influence of young legal minds in Africa’s future.
Addressing the gathering, Cllr. Tweh described FALAS as a critical platform for nurturing continental cooperation among emerging legal professionals.
He reaffirmed the Liberian government’s support for the organization, which is currently chaired by Nigeria, and commended its role in promoting collaboration, research, and dialogue among African law students.
A major focus of the Justice Minister’s speech was the need to rebuild public confidence in judicial systems across Africa.
He called on governments and legal practitioners to decisively tackle corruption within the justice sector, emphasizing integrity, openness, and accountability as non-negotiable principles.
According to Tweh, respect for the rule of law must go beyond rhetoric.
He urged West African countries to uphold their constitutions, comply with judgments of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, and adhere to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as part of broader efforts to protect democracy and human rights.
The Minister also linked the work of FALAS to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, noting that both share a vision of an Africa anchored in good governance, strong institutions, and the rule of law.
He encouraged law students to take an active role in advancing legal reforms that can strengthen democratic stability across the continent.
“Young Africans, especially those in the legal profession, must lead the charge for change,” Tweh said, challenging the newly sworn-in FALAS leaders to use scholarship, advocacy, and innovation to confront systemic weaknesses within Africa’s legal systems.
The Federation of African Law Students is a pan-African organization that brings together law students and young legal scholars to promote legal integration, policy dialogue, and progressive reforms throughout Africa.
