Team Snowe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2026

SENATOR SNOWE ANNOUNCES 2026 EDITION OF VACATION JOB PROGRAM FOR OVER 400 STUDENTS ACROSS BOMI COUNTY.

Tubmanburg, Bomi County: Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. has announced the 2026 edition of his annual Vacation Job Program, which will provide short-term employment opportunities for over 400 junior and senior high school students across the five administrative districts of Bomi County.

According to Mr. Harry A. Ragland, Chief of Staff in the office of the Bomi County Senator, the initiative is intended to help participating students and their families offset some of the financial challenges associated with school enrollment and related educational expenses for the 2026/2027 academic year.

This program which also forms part of Senator Snowe’s continued investment in education, youth empowerment and human capital development in Bomi County, will be officially launched in Cooper Town, Suehn Mecca District, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, followed by student recruitment and selection exercises across schools in the county beginning Wednesday, August 26–29, 2026.

Selected students will undertake community-based work assignments within their respective communities and or schools for five consecutive days, at two hours per day, under the supervision of designated program coordinators.

In addition to helping students enrolled in school, this initiative also reflects Senator Snowe’s commitment to creating practical opportunities for young people while supporting families and encouraging students to remain engaged in productive activities during the academic break.

Signed:

Harry A. Ragland
Chief of StaffOffice of Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr.

Except from Sen. Snowe's presentation at Oxford African Governance Forum 👇

Opening Statement by Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. at the Oxford African Governance Forum.

Public Lecture at the University of Oxford

"Strengthening Regional Democracy: The ECOWAS Parliament and the Future of Constitutional Governance in West Africa"

Green Templeton College, University of Oxford

13 July 2026

Distinguished Fellows and Scholars of the University of Oxford,

Esteemed Students,

Colleagues from the Oxford African Governance Forum,

The Centre for African Policy, African Rebirth,

Members of the Green Templeton College Graduate Common Room,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening.

I bring you greetings from the President Pro-tempore and my very esteemed colleagues of the Liberian Senate, as well as the Honorable Speaker and my equally esteemed colleagues of the ECOWAS Parliament.

It is both a privilege and an honor to address you today at one of the world's most respected centers of learning and intellectual exchange. I extend my sincere appreciation to Green Templeton College and the organizers of this distinguished event for providing a platform to discuss an issue that is central not only to the future of West Africa but also to the broader global pursuit of democratic governance, peace, and stability.

I come before you today wearing two caps; first as Senator of the Republic of Liberia, with over 20 years of legislative experience, and as a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament for the past 11 years and currently Chair of the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, a position I have held for nearly seven years.

In that capacity, I have had the opportunity to engage directly with some of the most pressing governance and security challenges confronting our region—from fact-finding to election observation missions in all ECOWAS Member States excluding my native land, Liberia. I have also headed mediation and parliamentary diplomacy initiatives aimed at preserving constitutional order and strengthening democratic institutions in ten ECOWAS Member States.

Consequently, we can speak today with sufficient evidence that democracy in West Africa is at a crossroads.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the last three decades, West Africa has recorded significant democratic gains. Sadly, recent military coups and constitutional crises remind us that democratic consolidation remains fragile.

The challenge before us is no longer simply conducting elections but building resilient institutions capable of protecting constitutional governance and sustaining public trust.

The persistent challenge of military coups between 1960 and 2025 has left West Africa experiencing numerous military interventions, including coups and attempted coups. The recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Guinea-Bissau demonstrate that insecurity, poor governance, the unconstitutional extension of presidential terms, economic hardship, and declining confidence in civilian leadership continue to threaten democratic stability.

Some countries have experienced repeated military takeovers, highlighting enduring institutional weaknesses.

And that brings us to the issue of strong democratic norms but weak enforcement.

It is very important to note that the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance remains one of Africa's strongest legal instruments against unconstitutional changes of government. Yet the experiences of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Guinea-Bissau reveal a gap between our democratic commitments and our ability to enforce them effectively.

So here comes the unique role of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The ECOWAS Parliament serves as the democratic voice of the peoples of West Africa. Through parliamentary diplomacy, election observation, dialogue, mediation, and advocacy, it promotes democratic norms and constitutional governance throughout the region. While its influence is largely persuasive, it remains an indispensable pillar of regional legitimacy and democratic accountability.

Our regional experiences provide valuable lessons. In The Gambia, regional solidarity helped defend electoral legitimacy. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, we sustained regional engagement and supported post-conflict democratic reconstruction.

However, in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, the recent coups exposed the limitations of existing enforcement mechanisms. These examples demonstrate that democracy requires both national commitment and strong regional support.

Therefore, if we are serious about protecting constitutional governance, the ECOWAS Parliament must evolve beyond a purely consultative body. We should consider enhanced oversight powers, stronger collaboration with national parliaments, assemblies and legislative bodies, increased citizen engagement, and a more structured role in monitoring democratic governance across the region.

Military coups are often symptoms of deeper governance challenges—insecurity, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, and declining public trust. Defending democracy therefore requires not only constitutional safeguards but also governments that deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.

Let me now close my opening remarks by emphasizing that the future of constitutional governance in West Africa cannot rest solely on national institutions. Strong regional institutions, active parliaments, citizen participation, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles are essential.

Strengthening the ECOWAS Parliament is not merely an institutional reform; it is an investment in peace, stability, accountability, and the democratic future of West Africa, and so I encourage you today to partner with us in achieving that.

Thank you, and may our deliberations this evening contribute meaningfully to strengthening democracy and constitutional governance in West Africa and beyond.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senator Snowe Honours Oxford University Invitation

July 11, 2026

Monrovia, Liberia: Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. has arrived in London, United Kingdom, honouring an invitation to participate in the Oxford African Governance Forum, a high-level platform for dialogue on governance, democracy, and public policy.

The Forum, scheduled for 13–15 July 2026, will bring together policymakers, academics, diplomats, and governance experts from across Africa and beyond.

Senator Snowe, Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliamentary Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), will is expected to speak on the subject titled: "Regional Democracy in West Africa: Electoral Integrity, Regional Governance, and Constitutional Order."

Drawing on his experience leading parliamentary diplomacy missions, election observation missions, and regional peace and security initiatives across all ECOWAS Member States, Senator Snowe is expected to share practical insights on constitutional governance and democratic development in West Africa.

Commenting on the invitation, Senator Snowe said: "These discussions come at a defining moment for the sub-region, as West Africa continues to confront democratic transitions, constitutional challenges, and growing concerns over political stability."

Senator Snowe's participation reflects the growing international recognition of ECOWAS Parliament in shaping policy discussions on democracy, governance, and regional cooperation.

Signed:

Harry A. Rangland
Chief of Staff

Joint Statement by Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr., and Sen. Amara M. Konneh on Recent Charges Brought Against Five Individuals in the Co***ne Bust at the Roberts International Airport in Liberia.

The seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of co***ne at Roberts International Airport underscores a grave threat to Liberia’s national security. It exposes serious concerns regarding the country’s rule of law, border security, and public safety.

We commend the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and all supporting Joint Security agencies for their coordinated efforts in intercepting this shipment before it could cause further harm to our communities and damage Liberia’s international reputation.

We also commend Inspector General of Police Gregory O.W. Coleman, the Liberia National Police, and the broader Joint Security Team for bringing charges against five individuals allegedly connected to the reported US$19.2 million co***ne trafficking case: Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah; Paul J. King; Oscar Browne; Emmanuel Kpah; and Usman Ali. According to the Liberia National Police, these individuals have been linked to this serious criminal enterprise.

However, the circumstances surrounding this investigation raise troubling questions that deserve clear and credible answers.

According to information released by the authorities, two persons of interest, Oscar Browne and Paul J. King were outside Liberia when the investigation commenced and were subsequently declared suspects. At the same time, it has been alleged that Michael U.S. Browne and Emmanuel Kpah were present in Liberia during the early stages of the investigation yet the authorities told the world that naming “persons of interest” would compromise the investigation but made up to believe that they were in control of the situation. If this was accurate, it raises an obvious question: how were these suspects able to evade arrest?

The Liberian people deserve full transparency regarding whether these individuals were under surveillance, whether operational failures allowed them to escape, or whether other circumstances contributed to their departure from Liberia’s jurisdiction.

Simply put, drugs worth approximately US$19.2 million reportedly entered Liberia and were on the verge of being exported through the country’s only international airport. Yet, despite the magnitude of this case, no persons of interest that the authorities knew but could not name and off course no suspect appears to have been physically arrested by national security agencies, even though the Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency publicly informed the nation that there were persons of interest in custody.

According to official statements, the only individual currently in custody who was sent to court yesterday is the suspect who voluntarily boarded a flight, returned to Liberia, and surrendered to national security authorities upon his arrival at Roberts International Airport.

If these are indeed the facts, they raise serious questions about the effectiveness of our security institutions and our commitment to combating transnational organized crime.

How is it possible that a co***ne shipment valued at US$19.2 million could be intercepted without a single suspect being apprehended by our security forces before leaving the country?

Are we truly serious about enforcing the law and expecting the international community to take Liberia seriously in the fight against organized crime?

Furthermore, while we acknowledge the efforts made thus far, the investigation must not end with those allegedly connected to the attempted exportation of the co***ne. Equal attention must now be devoted to uncovering the entire criminal network behind this operation.

Critical questions remain unanswered:
• Who financed the importation of these drugs?
• How did the co***ne enter Liberia by air, sea, or land?
• Where was it stored, concealed, or repackaged before being transported to the airport?
• Who coordinated the logistics of this operation?
• Which financial institutions or other entities, if any, were used to launder the proceeds?
• Who are the additional local and international collaborators?
• Were any public officials or state security personnel involved, either directly or indirectly?
* How did the investigation exonerate Emmanuel Zeon, (the drugs transporter)?
* ⁠How did the investigation exonerate Ruth Gbapaywhea, a screener at RIA who allowed suspicious package to pass for security clearance.

The Liberian people deserve answers to these questions.

Drug trafficking poses a direct threat to our youth, our families, our institutions, and our national security. Given the scale of this seizure and its apparent international dimensions, this matter demands a comprehensive, impartial, and evidence based investigation that follows every lead, regardless of where it may lead.

Accordingly, we call for an independent investigation conducted with the full cooperation and technical support of Liberia’s international partners to ensure that every individual responsible from financiers and importers to traffickers, facilitators, and any public officials who may have aided this criminal enterprise is identified, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Liberian people deserve nothing less than the full truth, complete accountability, and justice.

We demand an answer!

OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FROM TEAM SNOWE MOVEMENT 🎉

Today, the entire Team Snowe Movement joins the people of Bomi County and Liberians across the country in celebrating the birthday of our Political Leader, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. .
On this special day, we honor a man whose life has been defined by service, sacrifice, and an unshakable commitment to the people. Senator Snowe has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership, courage, and dedication in his quest to promote peace, unity, and sustainable development for Bomi County and Liberia at large.
Your leadership continues to inspire hope, mobilize young people, empower communities, and strengthen democratic governance. You have remained steadfast in the face of challenges, always placing the interest of the people above personal gain.
On behalf of the Team Snowe Movement, we wish you long life, good health, renewed strength, and greater wisdom as you continue to lead and serve.
Happy Birthday, Boss! 🎂
May this new year bring more impact, more victories, and more progress for our people.
Team Snowe Movement
Service. Unity. Progress.