The Executive Director of the Liberia Refugees Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, has announced a far-reaching reform agenda aimed at overhauling Liberia’s approach to migration, displacement, and refugee management, declaring that the institution “can no longer operate as a single-issue body of the past.”
Speaking Wednesday, February 4, 2026, during his formal takeover ceremony, the Executive Director said the Commission will be repositioned to address modern and emerging challenges including migration governance, statelessness, Liberian deportees, internally displaced persons, and cross-border population movements. The declaration signals a major policy and institutional shift in how Liberia manages human mobility.
“This transformation will not be cosmetic, outlining plans for structural, legal, and strategic reforms. Central to the agenda is the proposed amendment of the 1993 Act establishing the LRRRC, to expand its mandate and align it with international best practices and regional frameworks,” he added.
Among immediate priorities announced by Bangalu, are the development of a comprehensive work plan; the establishment of a high-level Policy Working Group involving government, academia, civil society, and development partners; and a full capacity needs assessment and credentials audit of the institution.
The LRRRC Executive Director stressed that while reforms may involve realignment and institutional shifts, the process will be fair, professional, and aimed at making the Commission fit for purpose. He placed strong emphasis on data-driven policy, announcing plans to establish a modern data management system to guide decision-making.
Cllr. Bangalu said, “Policy without data is guesswork, and guesswork has no place in protecting vulnerable lives.”
On the operational front, he disclosed that the Commission will commission a baseline study to understand the drivers behind the growing influx of Burkinabè migrants into South-Eastern Liberia, address the situation of remaining Ivorian refugees, and work toward establishing modern reception centers that uphold human dignity and international protection standards.
Acknowledging the financial implications of the reform agenda, the Executive Director narrated that a detailed Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) request and supplementary budget proposal will be submitted, alongside renewed engagement with donor partners.
Development partners were assured that the Commission is seeking “partnership, not charity,” grounded in transparency and accountability. Moreover, he credited President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for the confidence reposed in the new leadership, describing continued Cabinet-level support as a clear signal that migration and displacement issues remain a national priority.
