Monrovia - On 26 April 2017, UNMIL supported the Ministry of Justice to convene a roundtable to discuss the key challenges confronting public safety in Liberia. The meeting was attended by the relevant Government institutions, civil society and regional international partners.

The Assistant Justice Minister for Administration and Public Safety Frederick L.M. Gbemie emphasized the need to structure public administration to provide the effective public safety services.  On behalf of UNMIL, the Security Sector Advisor, Michael Page, commended the Government for convening a discussion about the development of a legal framework and a comprehensive roadmap for public safety in Liberia.  He highlighted this exercise, identifying it as being an instrumental step to ensure the efficiency, integrity, impartiality, openness and responsiveness of the national security sector to the safety and security needs of the population.

A report developed by national and international consultants hired by UNMIL was presented that outlined the current state, legal framework and capacities of the Government of Liberia to provide public safety services. A clear consensus was developed on the steps forward to development of a public safety roadmap and a draft public safety law.