Liberia’s Chief Justice, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, will officially retire from the nation’s highest court this week, as she turns 70 years old on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in keeping with the constitutional age limit for justices.
Her exit is in accordance with Article 72(b) of the Liberian Constitution, which states:
“The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of subordinate courts of record shall be retired at the age of seventy.”
Chief Justice Yuoh, who was appointed to the bench as Chief Justice in 2022, has served for a little over two years in the top judicial seat. Despite her relatively short tenure at the helm, she is widely praised for her commitment to judicial independence, constitutionalism, and reform in the judiciary.
A brief but symbolic ceremony is expected to be held at the Supreme Court in Monrovia to honor her service. According to sources, the event will feature tributes from fellow justices, lawmakers, legal practitioners, and civil society leaders, reflecting on her legacy and contributions to the rule of law.
Yuoh’s time on the bench was marked by several high-profile rulings, efforts to improve judicial transparency, and a push for the financial autonomy of the judiciary. Her leadership style earned her the respect of many within the legal profession and beyond, especially for her stance on upholding constitutional boundaries between the three branches of government.
With her retirement now imminent, questions emerge about who will be nominated to fill the vacuum at the Supreme Court. The decision lies in the hands of President Joseph Boakai, whose choice will signal the direction he hopes to steer the judiciary.
The legal community and the public now await the President’s nominee, a pick that will require confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
As the curtains close on Chief Justice Yuoh’s historic tenure, the broader national conversation turns to succession:
Who do you think should be Liberia’s next Chief Justice?
