Liberia 1984
The 1984 constitution of Liberia filled the legal void that arose after a successful coup on April 12, 1980 led by a group of young soldiers. One year after the coup, on April 12, 1981, the military government led by Samuel Doe appointed a 25-member Constitutional Commission to create a process for creating a new constitution and to write the initial draft. A political scientist chaired the commission, which included nine academics, four lawyers, two business executives, three civil servants, a human rights advocate and several intellectuals. In September 1981, the military approved the commission's proposed timetable.
The commission began its work by translating the suspended constitution into vernacular languages and had it recorded on cassette for those who could not read. It held open hearings around the country over several months before drafting the initial text. The commission held its drafting sessions in private. Decisions were made by consensus when possible, but a 2/3 majority was required when consensus could not be reached. The constitutional commission submitted its draft to the military government on January 28, 1983.
The constitutional commission recommended the creation of a larger representative body to review the draft before its submission to a referendum. The military government initially resisted this proposal, fearing it would create a legislative body, but eventually agreed to create a Constitutional Advisory Assembly. The 59 members of this group were elected indirectly through a series of electoral colleges on a non-partisan basis. While parties remained outlawed, most of the members selected were local political bosses. The CAA met in Gbarnga City, rather than in the capital, Monrovia. The assembly opened on August 12, 1983 and began to consider the commission draft article by article, eventually requesting an additional month for its deliberations. The assembly met in private, although the chair and press secretary briefed the media on the deliberations. The CAA approved a much-amended text on October 28, 1983.
After the military government endorsed the draft presented by the Constitutional Advisory Assembly, it was submitted to a referendum held on July 3, 1984. Ratification required a 2/3 majority of eligible voters. The constitution was approved by 95% of those voting on turnout of 82% of registered voters. The constitution did not go into force until the inauguration of the new president. The leader of the 1980 coup, Samuel Doe, won the presidential elections in October 1985 under questionable circumstances and was nearly toppled by an anti-government force organized by the former commander of the Army the following month. Doe's forces prevailed and his inauguration on January 6, 1986 brought the constitution into force. During his term, a civil war began in late 1989 that led to the suspension of the constitution and the collapse of government institutions in 1990.