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MONROVIA, Liberia – The Liberian Senate has voted to abolish the Ministry of Internal Affairs and replace it with the newly created Ministry of Local Government, a major step toward strengthening decentralization and improving local governance.

The decision aligns with the Local Government Act of 2018, which calls for shifting power from Monrovia to county and district authorities. Lawmakers say the new ministry will empower local leaders, improve grassroots service delivery, and reduce delays caused by centralized decision‑making.

Under the reform, the Ministry of Local Government will oversee all local administrations and coordinate development programs nationwide. The Senate also confirmed that all contracts and policies previously executed under the Ministry of Internal Affairs remain valid to ensure a smooth transition.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs—one of Liberia’s oldest institutions—has served as the government’s link to local communities for more than a century. Its dissolution marks the most significant governance restructuring since the passage of the 2018 decentralization law.

Attention now turns to how quickly the transition will be implemented and whether local authorities will receive the resources needed to make the reform effective.