Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence

Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence (born 2 July 1968) is a Liberian politician who has served as President Pro Tempore of the country's senate since January 2024. She is the leader of the opposition Liberty Party.

Early life and education Nyonblee Karnga was born on 2 July 1968 and raised in Grand Bassa County, Liberia, growing up during the civil wars. She has 12 siblings.

Career Karnga-Lawrence was a public relations manager at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company before entering politics. Karnga-Lawrence was nicknamed "lioness" and "iron lady of the Senate" for her advocacy for gender equality and social justice.

Karnga-Lawrence chaired the CPP, a coalition made up of the country's top four opposition parties.

Karnga-Lawrence was proposed as a potential running mate for Unity Party candidate Joseph Boakai in the 2023 presidential elections, and was praised for her decision to support him despite not being selected. Karnga-Lawrence has publicly committed herself to "transparency, accountability and responsible governance" as the country continues to reform. In August 2024, she attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago USA as part of the International Leaders Forum (ILF), seeking to give political leaders insights into America's democratic system. In September 2024, she visited Beijing as part of a legislator's forum for friendly exchanges with China. In October 2024, she received criticism from representative Clarence Banks, who suggested she had appointed county leaders based on political loyalty rather than competence.

Personal life Karnga-Lawrence was married to Adolph Lawrence, a geologist and member of the House of Representatives, until his death in a car accident on his 50th birthday in 2019. She has three biological and seven adopted children. During the Ebola crisis, her international advocacy and outreach resulted in the approval of $7 billion to combat the virus.