CEMESP Holds One-Day Media–CSOs-Legislative Roundtable

MONROVIA – The Center for Media Studies and Peace-building (CEMESP), with funding support from the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), has successfully convened a one day high level Media–Civil Society and legislative  roundtable discussion on the findings of the Legislative Monitoring Report. The event brought together lawmakers, media practitioners, civil society actors, donor partners, and government officials to reflect on legislative performance and strengthen democratic accountability in Liberia.

Held at the D’ Calabash Conference Hall in Monrovia, the roundtable focused on the findings of the Legislative Monitoring Report covering the period November 1 to December 14 2025. CEMESP, a member of the Legislative Monitoring Coalition of Liberia (LEMCOL), participated in monitoring the Legislature across three cardinal areas: inclusion, transparency, and participation.

The discussion featured perspectives and feedback from members of the Liberian Legislature, including Senator Edwin MelvinSnowe of Bomi County, Senator Jonathan Boye-Charles Sogbie of River Gee County, and Representatives Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County, Kortor Kwagrue and Nyan Flomo of Nimba County, and Elijah Varney of Bomi County.

Providing the overview and objectives of the report, Malcolm W. Joseph, Executive Director of CEMESP, emphasized that the findings reflect the realities observed during the monitoring exercise. He noted that issues such as lack of punctuality, inadequate representation, weak oversight, and challenges in lawmaking were prominently highlighted during the assessment. According to Mr. Joseph, the report not only identifies gaps but also evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Legislature, creating a pathway for improvement through constructive engagement.

“The monitoring report is intended to serve as a learning and improvement tool,” Mr. Joseph stated. “It provides evidence-based findings that can help strengthen legislative performance and deepen democratic governance.”

The interactive engagement allowed for open feedback between lawmakers and participants, fostering dialogue on the findings and recent legislative updates. Lawmakers, in response, called for broader collaboration, cooperation, and support, particularly in the provision of timely and accurate information to enhance the effectiveness of legislative monitoring.

Contributing to the discussion, Representative Elijah Varney of Bomi County highlighted his efforts to promote accountability at the constituency level, noting that he regularly organizes talk shows, provides legislative briefings, and keeps citizens informed about his legislative work.

Representative Foday Fahnbulleh of Bong County urged legislative monitors especially journalists covering the Legislature to ensure their reporting remains objective, detailed, concise, accurate, and factual. He observed that while the report focused on legislative activities in Monrovia, it did not sufficiently capture progress being made by lawmakers in their respective counties.

For his part, Representative Nyan Flomo of Nimba County expressed appreciation for the report and provided candid feedback, describing legislative monitoring as cardinal to the work of the Legislature and essential to strengthening democratic governance in Liberia.

Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County remarked that the Legislative Monitoring Report should serve as a guide and conduit for improving lawmakers’ performance. A key point of discussion during the roundtable was the call for an audit of the Legislature, with several lawmakers acknowledging that persistent negative public perceptions of corruption underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability.

The event concluded with a shared commitment among participants to deepen engagement between the Legislature, media, and civil society in order to enhance public trust and promote good governance.

The Legislative Monitoring Coalition of Liberia (LEMCOL) is a consortium of leading civil society organizations and media institutions working collaboratively to promote good governance and effective legislative oversight. Its members include the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), Institute for Democratic Action and Development (IDAD), InfoQuest Liberia, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), Center for Transparency and Accountabilityin Liberia (CENTAL), Accountability Lab Liberia, and key media institutions across the country.