ensuring public input and community benefit sharing
Yesterday, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically-elected female head of state, signed the landmark National Forestry Reform Law of 2006. Passage of the new law is a signal moment in Liberia’s effort to turn the corner on a recent past when “blood timber” was used to fuel local and regional conflict under the Charles Taylor regime.
“The new forestry law represents a giant step forward toward sustainable forestry, community empowerment, and economic recovery in Liberia,” said Environmental Law Institute® Senior Attorney Bruce Myers. “ELI is proud to have been part of the team that made this happen.”
Since 2004, ELI has provided legal analysis and drafting guidance to Liberians as a core member of the Liberia Forest Initiative (or “LFI”), a collaborative effort by government agencies, NGOs, and other international organizations that promotes forestry reform in this West African nation of 3 million.
As part of the LFI group, ELI has worked closely with in-country partners and international donors to help Liberians craft a forestry law that provides for the sustainable and beneficial use of Liberia’s forest resources—among the most treasured in Africa. Joining international experts with in-country partners to achieve solutions tailored to local needs is the hallmark of ELI’s work.
“The immediate concern for many Liberians is to establish a viable legal framework for their forests that gives the United Nations Security Council confidence to lift the continuing sanctions barring export of Liberian timber,” Myers said. “But another critical long-term goal is to ensure both that Liberia’s communities have a voice in—and benefit from—the sustainable management of the Republic’s forests, and that conservation remains a top priority in the forest sector.”
The Institute’s legal work in Liberia has been supported by generous grants from the USDA Forest Service Office of International Programs (“USFS”).
“This law provides the basic foundation for increased transparency, accountability, and democracy in a sector that should be responsive to the people of Liberia,” said Robert Simpson of USFS, who has coordinated LFI activities from Monrovia since 2004. “This is the first step in the long process of establishing better governance. We recognize the enormous efforts and commitment this has taken from the Liberian government, especially the hard-working members of the Legislature. However, in the long run, the legislation will only be as effective as the individuals implementing, monitoring, and participating in a revived democratic forest sector.”
“The Government of Liberia and the LFI have achieved a reform that many stakeholders initially thought impossible,” said Oliver Pierson, USFS Africa Program Coordinator. Although much work remains to be done before sustainable logging operations can resume, solid foundations are now in place to start rebuilding the Liberian forest sector. This new law will allow the sector to play a key role in poverty alleviation, social development, employment generation, transfer of technology, and sustainable forest management for Liberia.”
“ELI sees the cutting-edge, participatory process embodied by the LFI as the new model for how international organizations can successfully partner with governments and NGOs in post-conflict settings to make environmental law work for recovering nations,” said Myers.
Currently, ELI contact Bruce Myers is in Liberia. In his absence, Scott Schang is available to discuss ELI’s work in Liberia at 202-939-3865, or schang@eli.org.