— Furious Ministry of Internal Affairs suspends 2 Chiefs for mass Sande Society graduation; advocates call for robust enforcement
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has suspended Paramount Chief James Tarnue of Lorma Chiefdom and Clan Chief Bigboy Kokulo of Zeyeama Clan, Lofa County, for their alleged involvement in violating Liberia’s temporary ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Poro practices, effective until January 2026.
“A preliminary assessment conducted by the MIA revealed that, contrary to the temporary ban on the operations of Sande or ‘Bush Schools,’ certain individuals have violated the directive for personal and economic gains,” the Ministry stated in a press release posted on its official Facebook page.
The suspension follows the circulation of a widely shared video on social media. Captioned “In Konia, Lofa County, it’s reported that a Sande school graduated 502 girls yesterday,” the footage shows young girls seated on a flat surface, singing and clapping, while elderly women in traditional attire dance around them. An unseen voice narrates: “The final graduation celebration here in Konia town, 502 of them graduating today.”
Although the Ministry’s release did not explicitly mention Konia or the video, it referenced an investigative meeting held in Zorzor, Lofa County, on August 7, 2025. During the meeting, Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin condemned the two chiefs for their complicity and failure to act while Zoes and other traditional leaders in ten communities under their jurisdiction openly defied the ban.
Liberia remains one of the few African nations without a formal law criminalizing FGM—a deeply rooted cultural practice carried out in eleven counties. Traditionally performed by a female leader known as a “Zoe” in a sacred space called the “Sande bush,” the initiation process isolates girls from their families, often forcibly, and disrupts their education.
The current ban, which took effect on April 30, 2025, was enacted in consultation with the National Council of Chiefs. It aims to curb illegal practices, prevent the forced initiation of minors, and ensure that cultural traditions do not interfere with children’s rights and schooling. The suspension of the two officials is part of a broader government effort to address the proliferation of unregulated activities linked to traditional societies. A structural overhaul of cultural leadership is also underway.
According to the World Health Organization, FGM offers no health benefits and involves the removal or injury of external genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is widely recognized as a violation of the human rights of women and girls. Globally, millions have undergone FGM as a cultural rite.
In Liberia, an estimated 50% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have been subjected to FGM.
Liberia is a signatory to key international human rights instruments, including the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Naomi Tulay-Solanke, founder of the Community Healthcare Initiative, emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
“The Liberian government must ensure that existing laws against FGM are strictly enforced. This includes training law enforcement and local authorities on the legal framework and the importance of protecting women’s rights,” she said in a WhatsApp interview.
She urged the government to collaborate with traditional leaders and community influencers to foster dialogue around the harmful effects of FGM.
“By involving them in discussions, the government can promote alternative rites of passage that honor cultural traditions without resorting to harmful practices,” she added.
Solanke also called for comprehensive national campaigns to educate communities about the health risks and legal implications of FGM, recommending the use of local languages and culturally relevant materials to ensure widespread understanding.
She noted that in Liberia, FGM is often intertwined with cultural identity and social acceptance, making resistance to the ban a significant challenge.
“While legal measures are crucial, they are not a panacea. Meaningful change requires a shift in cultural attitudes. Engaging communities in conversations about the harm caused by FGM and promoting women’s rights is essential for the law to take root.”
In June 2025, Liberia was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term—a development that places additional scrutiny on its human rights commitments.
In a statement, the Liberia Feminists Coalition welcomed the Ministry’s decision to suspend the two officials but called for deeper investigations and expedited passage of a national law criminalizing FGM.
“Liberian culture should empower, not endanger, our daughters. The Coalition remains committed to ending FGM and urges the government to fully domesticate international human rights frameworks that protect women and girls across the country.”
