By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway<\/p>\n
Monrovia \u2013 Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on the Liberian Legislature to spearhead a new wave of constitutional reforms, urging lawmakers to amend what she described as a \u201cracist provision\u201d in the Constitution that restricts citizenship to persons of Negro descent.<\/p>\n
Delivering what observers described as a historic address to the House of Representatives, Sirleaf specifically referenced Article 27(b) of the 1986 Constitution, which states that \u201conly persons who are negroes, or of negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sirleaf argued that the provision no longer reflects the realities of modern Liberia and should be amended to align the country with evolving democratic standards across Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first comments have to do with Article 27(b) of our Constitution that says, and I quote: \u2018In order for us to preserve custom and maintain the positive Liberian culture, values and character, only persons who are negroes, or of negro descent shall qualify by birth or by naturalization to be citizens of Liberia,\u2019\u201d Sirleaf told lawmakers.<\/p>\n
Call to \u201cUndo the Racist Provision\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The former president urged the Legislature to take decisive action to correct what she described as a structural limitation embedded in Liberia\u2019s founding laws.<\/p>\n \u201cLiberia today is above where we were at our independence in 1847. Therefore, we must now make those structural changes that will help us join emerging African countries that have left us behind.\u201d<\/p>\n Sirleaf recalled that previous attempts at constitutional reform made progress but failed to address the controversial citizenship clause.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you may recall, we tried in the past to do constitutional reform. The former interim president led the committee that made tremendous progress, but that racist provision was left intact. My plea now is that you consider the necessary amendment and charter for Article 27(b) of our Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n Her remarks are expected to reignite national debate on Liberia\u2019s citizenship laws, which many critics say discriminate on racial grounds.<\/p>\n