Published: October 28, 2026
MONROVIA— Lofa County Senator Momo Tarnukeollie Cyrus has called on African governments to make cybersecurity a central component of their national security strategies, warning that emerging threats driven by artificial intelligence (AI) could undermine national sovereignty, democratic institutions and public confidence if left unchecked.
Cyrus, chairman of the Liberian Senate Committee on National Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs, stressed that efforts to combat cybercrime must not come at the expense of citizens’ constitutional rights, including privacy, freedom of expression and due process.
The Lofa County senator made the call Tuesday, Oct. 27, while delivering a goodwill message at the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC) 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The conference, held under the theme “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations,” focused on growing cybersecurity challenges and the need for stronger cooperation among African countries.
“Protecting national security and protecting fundamental rights are not competing objectives. Both are essential to the public trust on which effective security depends,” Cyrus stated.
He warned that AI-powered cyber threats, including online fraud, impersonation, disinformation and attacks on critical infrastructure, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, posing serious risks to governments, businesses and ordinary citizens.
Citing figures attributed to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, Cyrus said AI was linked to 55% of reported cybercrime across Africa, while cybercrime-related losses increased from US$192 million in 2024 to US$484 million.
The senator said the figures demonstrate the urgency of investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, public awareness, digital literacy and institutional preparedness.
He encouraged citizens to verify suspicious messages and requests for sensitive information while urging media institutions and government agencies to strengthen their ability to identify and counter digital deception.
However, Cyrus cautioned that measures intended to combat misinformation and cyber threats must not be used to suppress legitimate opinions or restrict lawful expression.
“Defending minds must never become an excuse to control legitimate thought or silence lawful expressions,” he said.
According to him, cybersecurity policies should empower citizens to recognize deception and make informed decisions rather than provide governments with additional tools to silence dissent.
The lawmaker identified government databases, banking institutions, hospitals, telecommunications networks, schools and energy facilities as critical infrastructure requiring stronger protection against cyberattacks.
He called for improved incident-response systems, secure data management, reliable backup facilities, stronger access controls and closer cooperation between public institutions and private technology operators.
Cyrus maintained that effective cybersecurity goes beyond preventing attacks, emphasizing the need for institutions to detect threats, respond quickly, restore essential services and strengthen safeguards following security breaches.
He also urged governments to establish clear accountability mechanisms for protecting sensitive public information, including data managed by private contractors and cloud service providers.
Turning to Liberia, Cyrus cited the country’s Cybercrime Act of 2025 and National Cyber Security Strategy for 2025-2029 as important steps toward strengthening its legal and policy framework.
However, he warned that legislation alone would not guarantee effective cybersecurity without adequate funding, trained personnel, capable institutions and appropriate oversight.
The senator emphasized that cybersecurity laws must be implemented in ways that protect citizens’ fundamental freedoms while ensuring that investigators and security institutions operate within established legal boundaries.
He said lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure that cybersecurity legislation and oversight mechanisms remain responsive to technological developments, particularly the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
Cyrus also called for stronger regional cooperation, arguing that cyber threats frequently cross national borders and cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.
He welcomed Nigeria’s leadership in hosting the conference and encouraged greater collaboration between Liberia and Nigeria in information-sharing, cybersecurity training and institutional development.
The senator highlighted efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation and develop a regional cybersecurity and cybercrime strategy for 2027-2032.
He also referenced the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime as frameworks for improving international cooperation and cross-border investigations.
Cyrus urged African governments to invest in local cybersecurity professionals, research institutions and technology enterprises to reduce dependence on externally developed security solutions.
He identified five priority areas requiring urgent attention: modern cybersecurity laws and effective oversight, responsible AI governance, investment in digital skills and public awareness, stronger public-private partnerships and deeper regional cooperation.
According to him, these priorities should produce practical results, including faster regional threat notifications, coordinated incident responses, improved digital investigations and stronger institutional preparedness.
The senator stressed that Africa’s technological progress should be measured not only by innovation but also by the ability of digital systems to protect human dignity, strengthen institutions and create economic opportunities.
“When we defend minds, we protect the freedom to think and the ability to distinguish truth from deception. When we defend networks, we protect the systems on which livelihoods and essential services depend. When we defend nations, we protect the institutions, sovereignty, and shared aspirations of our people,” Cyrus said.
He urged African leaders to translate cybersecurity commitments into adequately funded programs, stronger institutions and measurable improvements in national preparedness.
Cyrus maintained that building a secure digital future requires balancing technological advancement with constitutional protections, insisting that governments must safeguard both national security and the rights of the people they serve.
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