Snowe Rejects Tweh for Defense

CAPITOL BYPASS, Monrovia, September 14, 2026 — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s nomination of former Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh to head the Ministry of National Defense is drawing political pushback, with Bomi County Senator Edwin M. Snowe vowing to vote against his confirmation.

Snowe has questioned Tweh’s record as Justice Minister, alleging that his tenure contributed to the politicization of the justice system and arguing that his performance does not inspire confidence in his ability to lead the Defense Ministry.

But the ruling Unity Party has rejected the criticism, defending Tweh’s qualifications and arguing that critics are conflating the responsibilities of the Attorney General with those of the Minister of National Defense.

President Boakai announced Tweh on September 11 as Acting Minister of National Defense, replacing Brigadier General (Ret.) Geraldine J. George, who the Executive Mansion said would be reassigned.

Tweh’s appointment came shortly after he was replaced at the Ministry of Justice, where he served as Attorney General and the government’s chief legal adviser.

Reacting to the appointment in a post on his official Facebook page, Snowe said Tweh had, in his assessment, performed poorly as Justice Minister and failed to consistently provide the government with independent and objective legal advice.

The Bomi County senator alleged that Tweh’s tenure at the Justice Ministry too often reflected political considerations, raising concerns about his suitability to oversee the country’s defense establishment.

Snowe warned that the Armed Forces of Liberia is one of the country’s most sensitive institutions and must remain professional, disciplined and insulated from partisan politics.

“That record gives me serious concern about his suitability to serve in a position of leadership involving the Armed Forces of Liberia,” Snowe said.

He argued that any attempt to introduce partisan politics into the military could undermine its professionalism, cohesion and institutional integrity, with potential consequences for national security.

Snowe, however, insisted that his opposition to Tweh’s nomination is not personal but based on his assessment of the former Justice Minister’s record in public office and his responsibility as a senator.

“I do not believe Cllr. Tweh’s record as Minister of Justice inspires the confidence necessary for this responsibility,” Snowe said. “Accordingly, if his nomination comes before the Senate for confirmation, I will vote against his confirmation.”

But Unity Party Secretary General Amb. Evans Boima Tuku has rejected Snowe’s assessment and defended Tweh’s nomination, arguing that the senator is treating the positions of Attorney General and Defense Minister as though they carry the same responsibilities.

Tuku said the two offices occupy distinct roles within Liberia’s governance structure and argued that Tweh possesses the qualifications necessary to head the Defense Ministry.

According to the UP Secretary General, the Attorney General serves as the government’s principal legal adviser and prosecutor and is expected to defend the legal and policy positions of the administration.

“The Office of the Attorney General is inherently political,” Tuku argued, saying the office requires engagement with and implementation of the Executive’s policy agenda.

He contrasted that responsibility with the role of Defense Minister, which he described as largely administrative and strategic.

Tuku said the Defense Minister is responsible for the management and administration of the ministry and for supporting the operational readiness of the Armed Forces of Liberia, while the President serves as Commander-in-Chief.

“The Minister does not prosecute cases, nor does he engage in partisan legal battles,” Tuku said. “He ensures that our military remains professional, disciplined and apolitical.”

The competing positions set the stage for potential scrutiny of Tweh if his nomination is submitted to the Liberian Senate for confirmation, where Snowe has already declared his opposition.