Grave Setback to Liberia’s Democratic Credentials -CENTAL Barks at Boakai’s Defiance to Heed SC Ruling

MONROVIA – Criticisms and condemnations of President Joseph Boakai’s evasion of recent Supreme Court ruling in the protracted House leadership crisis continue to mount, not only from the politicians but also from renowned Liberian civil society organizations. Joining the volleys of censure is one of the country’s premier transparency and accountability advocacy groups, the Center Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). In an exhaustive, forceful press statement, CENTAL opines that the president’s defiant reaction to the High Court ruling backpedals Liberia’s improving democratic credentials. The Analyst reports.   

The Center Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) says it believes that the pronouncement by the President of Liberia to sever ties with the Koon bloc after the unambiguous court’s unconstitutional declaration would have demonstrated full compliance with the court’s mandate.

The civil society organization said instead, continuous engagement with the said faction only amounts to disregard of the Court’s opinion and represents a grave setback to the country’s improving democratic and constitutional credentials.

CENTAL recognizes the contention that it seems unlikely that members of the Koon bloc would return to sessions presided over by Speaker Koffa, as proponents of this contention argue that there is a need for the government to function and that the President has no alternative but to work with the Koon bloc since they meet legislative quorum.

“We find this argument troubling since the Supreme Court has said that a quorum that is not presided over by the legitimately elected Speaker is in effect no quorum at all,” CENTAL further said, indicating that it also considers the challenge that no rule has been promulgated by the House to enable Speaker Koffa to compel members of the Koon bloc to attend session.

CENTAL notes that over 39 years ago, the Liberian Constitution mandated the Legislature to prescribe said rule to compel attendance of absent members, but have failed to do so, holding the Legislature to bear the burden of this failure to act, and expressing the hope that this is addressed as soon as stability returns to the house.

In the absence of the law compelling attendance, CENTAL believes that it is incumbent on members of the Koon bloc to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and attend the session presided over by Speaker Koffa.

“Once in such proper forum, they can initiate any proceeding to remove Speaker Koffa, if they so wish, consistent with law,” it emphasized. “In the absence of such action, the group said, Speaker Koffa cannot be constructively removed by absenting themselves from their legislative duty.”

The group also noted the petition for re-argument as filed by the Koon bloc but said filing of said Petition is a recognition of the weight of the Court’s decision in the matter.

In the absence of any communication from the court nullifying its prior decision, CENTAL says it believes that the opinion of the Court remains valid until such time that it is overturned or invalidated by them.

“Hence, we call on the Executive to proceed in respecting the Supreme Court’s decision until the Court says otherwise,” it said in a press statement, adding: “Meanwhile, like election-related disputes, which are speedily handled by the Supreme Court, we strongly urge the Court to attach similar urgency to matters like these that have serious implications for proper governance of the country.”

The civil society group believes that the court’s undue delay in ruling on the Bill of Information filed by Speaker Koffa contributed to prolongation of the conflict, which continues to hurt the country.

CENTAL called on the legislature to lead by example as the direct representatives of the people, warning that “this example should first be set by adherence to the rule of law, including through respect for laid down procedures on removal of a sitting Speaker”.

“There can be no short-cut about this, as any will surely harm the country, just as we have seen over the last few months, whereby there has been a near dysfunctional Legislature and slow pace of key decision-making on key national issues and documents,” said the group.

The group also wants President Joseph N. Boakai to ensure the full enforcement of the April 23, 2025 ruling of the Supreme Court by restoring the rights and privileges of Speaker Koffa, and sever any ties with the Koon bloc of lawmakers until the Supreme Court can rule otherwise.