Minister Nyumalin: Chiefs Are the Custodians of Peace and Culture

GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY: A major shift in Liberia’s governance landscape is unfolding in Gbarnga as more than 400 chiefs and tribal governors gather for the first-ever National Assembly of Chiefs and Tribal Governors, a national forum aimed at strengthening traditional leadership and shaping community-driven development.

The three-day event, held from November 20 22 under the theme “Let’s Come Together and Build Our Country,” is organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to deepen decentralization and give rural communities a structured voice in national planning.

Internal Affairs Minister F. Sakila Nyumalin, Sr., who is presiding over the Assembly, says the forum marks a new chapter for governance, placing chiefs at the center of national dialogue.

more than 400 chiefs and tribal governors gather for the first-ever National Assembly of Chiefs and Tribal Governors

He described Liberia’s traditional leaders as custodians of peace, culture, and land, emphasizing that their perspectives are essential for long-term stability and inclusive development.

“Traditional leaders hold the social fabric of this country together. This Assembly elevates their role and ensures their voices guide national decisions,” Minister Nyumalin stated.

The Assembly is structured as a participatory, town hall–style gathering where chiefs discuss pressing national issues, including:

• Governance and decentralization

• Peacebuilding and local security

• Youth and women’s participation

• Management of land and natural resources

• Strengthening and reforming cultural practices

The Internal Affairs Ministry says the Assembly is expected to produce four major outcomes:

1. A Permanent Annual Gathering of Chiefs

A yearly national platform focused on peace, community security, and development.

2. A Framework of Mutual Commitments (AMC)

A formal agreement outlining shared priorities between the government and traditional authorities.

3. Cultural Preservation and Reform Plan

A consensus to protect positive traditions while addressing harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

4. Defined Roles in National and County Development

A structured framework detailing how traditional leaders will engage in development programs, including AAID and County Development Agendas.

The gathering has drawn Paramount Chiefs, Clan Chiefs, Tribal Governors, county superintendents, city mayors, lawmakers, and development partners one of the largest assemblies of traditional authorities in recent memory.

After the opening ceremony, the remaining sessions moved behind closed doors to allow chiefs to speak freely on sensitive issues affecting their regions.

Officials say the Assembly is a critical step toward redistributing power, strengthening rural governance structures, and ensuring that traditional authorities play an active role in policymaking.

With Liberia advancing national development strategies and cultural reforms, the decisions made in Gbarnga are expected to shape county leadership, community peace efforts, and local governance models for years to come.