West Africa: Politics and Religion in Liberia

The recent reemergence of the debate in the Liberian Senate regarding the establishment of separate Christian and Muslim public holidays has stirred significant public discourse–and rightfully so. While the proposal, backed by several senators, appears to be an effort to promote religious inclusion, it risks inflaming dormant religious tensions and potentially opening the door to unintended consequences. At a time when jihadist movements are rapidly expanding in West Africa, the need for caution, national introspection, and long-term strategic foresight is critical.

The Ivory Coast Experience: A Regional Warning

Liberia need only look across its western border to understand what’s at stake. In 2020, the International Crisis Group warned of the “jihadist contagion” sweeping across the Sahel and threatening coastal West African states like Côte d’Ivoire. While Ivory Coast had previously escaped the worst of extremist violence, it began to face jihadist incursions in its northern regions, primarily from groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (Crisis Group, 2020). These groups exploited religious and ethnic cleavages, marginalized Muslim populations, and porous borders to entrench themselves in communities.

The same risk factors exist in Liberia: limited state presence in border communities, poor security infrastructure, economic hardship, and a growing migrant population–including Burkinabés and Ivorians–settling in forest-rich counties like Grand Gedeh, Nimba, and Gbarpolu. These developments must inform the Senate’s consideration of policies with religious implications.

Latent Religious Tensions in Liberia

Liberia, although officially secular under the 1986 Constitution, has always been predominantly Christian, with Muslims making up a significant minority. Historically, the two religious communities have coexisted peacefully, with interfaith marriages, shared community events, and a strong legacy of mutual tolerance. However, the proposal to institute official religious holidays risks altering that balance. It may seem symbolic or inclusive, but symbols matter–especially in contexts where national identity and religious identity are deeply intertwined.

In an already fragile environment, such moves can be seen as politically motivated attempts to curry favor with particular constituencies, unintentionally deepening religious divisions. FrontPageAfrica’s May 2024 report revealed mixed reactions to the holiday bill, with citizens warning of a slippery slope toward religious politicization. Liberia must guard against any shift that encourages religious nationalism, which extremist movements often exploit to incite radicalism or recruit disaffected individuals.

Burkinabé Influx and Border Fragility

The increasing presence of Burkinabé nationals–many fleeing jihadist violence from northern Burkina Faso–raises serious security and governance concerns in Liberia. A March 2025 FrontPageAfrica report confirmed rising tensions in Grand Gedeh County, where locals are growing alarmed at the settlement patterns of foreign nationals and their acquisition of forested land. The Coalition of NGOs in Liberia has also flagged this trend as a national security risk, especially given Liberia’s historically porous borders and limited immigration enforcement capacity.

While Liberia has a moral and regional duty to provide refuge to displaced people, the absence of a national strategy to manage these population flows–coupled with the proposed religious holiday bill–could create a combustible environment. The government must ensure it is not unknowingly facilitating the long-term goals of extremist actors who seek to implant themselves in religiously tolerant but institutionally weak nations.

Religious Freedom: A National Strength, Not a Political Tool

The Liberian Constitution guarantees religious freedom–a principle that has helped maintain peace in a nation that suffered two civil wars. True religious freedom is not about elevating one group’s religious observances into law but ensuring all groups can practice without state interference or favoritism. Once the state begins legislating religious recognition, it inevitably raises questions of representation, equity, and national identity.

A letter to the editor in FrontPageAfrica (April 2025) warned that Liberia must remain a secular state to safeguard its fragile peace and protect its national unity. This is not an abstract concern. In Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso, religious grievances–real or perceived–have been successfully manipulated by extremist factions to erode state legitimacy and pit communities against one another.

The Bigger Picture: What’s at Stake for Liberia and the Sahel?

Liberia’s internal political decisions are no longer isolated from regional trends. The Sahel is now a hotbed of transnational jihadist activity. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have experienced military takeovers partly driven by the state’s inability to control extremism. Liberia–surrounded by countries with jihadist threats and economic instability–must think strategically.

With the Sahel corridor under increasing Islamist influence and coastal nations becoming new targets, Liberia could become an easy entry point for extremist networks if policies are not carefully assessed. Religion-based legislation could be misinterpreted as signaling a shift toward religious politicization–something jihadist ideologues could exploit.

Recommendations: A Path Toward Caution and National Unity

1. Reject Politicized Religious Legislation: The Liberian Senate should place a moratorium on religious-based holidays until a thorough, inclusive national dialogue is held with religious leaders, security agencies, and civil society.

2. Strengthen Border Management and Immigration Oversight: Deploy trained personnel to monitor migrant communities in border counties. Invest in biometric tracking and work with ECOWAS to ensure proper refugee documentation and integration mechanisms.

3. Promote Interfaith Dialogue at All Levels: Strengthen the National Interfaith Council to foster regular engagement between Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders, ensuring grievances are addressed through peaceful channels.

4. Strengthen International Counter-Terrorism Support: Liberia should work closely with the UN, AU, ECOWAS, and donor partners to align its internal religious policies with broader strategies aimed at preventing violent extremism (PVE) in West Africa.

5. Launch Civic Education Campaigns: Public education efforts should focus on constitutional secularism, the dangers of religious politicization, and Liberia’s proud tradition of tolerance and unity.

Conclusion

Liberia stands at a crossroads. The good intentions behind proposed religious holiday legislation must not blind the nation to the geopolitical and security realities unfolding in the region. With jihadist insurgency encroaching upon West Africa’s coastal states and with internal tensions already simmering, the country must exercise vigilance, uphold its constitutional values, and protect the unity that has sustained its postwar progress. Anything less risks opening a door that could be very difficult to close.