Published: April 24, 2026
MONROVIA — Sweden’s outgoing ambassador to Liberia handed over a brand-new bus valued at more than $40,000 to youth democracy organization Naymote Partners for Democratic Development on Thursday, using his final major public act in the country to declare that Liberia’s democratic foundations are strong enough to stand without a Swedish embassy in Monrovia.
Ambassador Karl Backens presented the bus, branded “Young Political Leadership School Africa”, at a ceremony in Paynesville attended by young political fellows, civil society leaders and government representatives, including officials from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
Sweden announced in December 2025 that it would close its embassy in Liberia, a decision Backens described as painful but one that he said reflected confidence rather than abandonment.
“For us who are working here, this is, of course, very sad news,” Backens said. “But coming here today, hearing about the work that you have been doing together with Naymote and seeing all of the progress that’s been made, I know that we’re leaving Liberia in very, very good hands.”
Backens credited Naymote’s Young Political Leadership School Africa initiative as a key pillar in building the country’s democratic foundation, particularly through youth engagement and leadership training conducted over several years.
“The fact that you have a strong democracy is such an asset in this country,” he said. “That strong democracy at the heart of it is built on civic engagement, speaking up, ensuring accountability and transparency.”
The ambassador cautioned participants against the misuse of public office, urging them to use their training to reshape Liberia’s political culture from within. “How do you become an effective and efficient political or public leader — that is such an important challenge,” he said. “I think you’re better equipped to do that with the training here with Naymote.”
Backens also welcomed preparations toward the 2029 elections, describing them as a positive indicator of democratic progress.
Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo praised Sweden’s sustained partnership, saying the organization has expanded its reach nationwide. He disclosed that Naymote’s regional offices are now powered by solar energy systems, reducing dependence on the Liberia Electricity Corporation. Jarwolo said growing numbers of young leaders are seeking to engage in governance while advancing integrity, accountability and the rule of law.
Speaking on behalf of the program’s fellows, Parnneh Mallobe, an alumna of the Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship, described the training as transformative. “This allows us not just to see what is outside, but to understand what the challenges are and how we can recommend solutions for the future,” she said. She called for expanded opportunities for young people to engage in national issues, particularly in healthcare.
The ceremony also featured a presentation by Dr. Miatta Jeh, Oversight Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation at the LACC, who outlined the commission’s complaint handling and investigation procedures. She said complaints are assigned to a team of approximately 22 investigators, including legal professionals, operating under a structured chain of command that runs from the Chief of Investigations through a Program Manager and the Monitoring and Investigation Department to the Body of Commissioners, which serves as the final authority on whether a complaint proceeds to full investigation, alternative administrative or legal action, or inter-departmental coordination.
Dr. Jeh said legal teams are involved from the outset in assessing complaint credibility and conducting interviews, with investigators and prosecutors working in continuous collaboration through witness interviews, progress reviews and the issuance of citations where necessary. She said the system is grounded in due process, legal oversight and accountability.
Sweden’s departure will leave a gap in Liberia’s donor landscape. The Nordic country has been among the more consistent supporters of civic and democratic development programming in the country, and Thursday’s handover was widely seen as an effort to ensure that its investment in youth leadership endures beyond the closure of its diplomatic mission.
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