By: Andrew B Weah , 0770637216/0886429103, andrewbweah@gmail.com
The Liberian Senate has opened a formal investigation into a controversial proposal to significantly reduce the number of Paramount, Clan, and General Town Chiefs in Sinoe County. The action follows a communication from Sinoe County Senator Crayton O. Duncan, who raised strong concerns about the implications of the planned cuts.
The proposal submitted by Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. F. Sakila Nyumalin to Sinoe County Superintendent Hon. Alexander N. Sleweon—calls for a 72% reduction in Paramount Chiefs, a 71% cut in Clan Chiefs, and a 59% reduction in General Town Chiefs. The Ministry had instructed the Superintendent to implement these adjustments and submit the final list by December 5, 2025.
Senator Duncan, in his communication to the Senate plenary, questioned both the justification and potential consequences of such drastic reductions. He warned that altering the traditional leadership structure at this scale could have far-reaching effects on local governance, community cohesion, and the cultural integrity of Sinoe County.
According to the Senator, any decision that affects the authority and representation of traditional chiefs must be carefully assessed, as these leaders continue to play a critical role in conflict resolution, cultural preservation, and grassroots governance.
In response to Duncan’s concerns, the Senate unanimously mandated its Committees on Internal Affairs and Ways, Means, Finance & Budget to investigate the matter. The committees have been given two weeks to thoroughly review the proposal, engage all relevant authorities, and determine the rationale behind the proposed reductions.
The upcoming probe is expected to bring clarity to the intentions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and assess whether the proposed cuts align with the interests and welfare of the people of Sinoe County. The findings will guide the Senate’s subsequent decisions and potential interventions.
As the investigation unfolds, citizens and local leaders in Sinoe County await answers, with many expressing hope that the process will uphold transparency, fairness, and the preservation of their longstanding traditional governance system.
