-As Pres. Boakai requests to seek expert advice on the Supreme Court’s ruling and its implications for governance
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The submission of the draft national budget for the fiscal year 2025 has been postponed from its original deadline (November 8, 2024). This decision was conveyed by Samuel A. Stevquoah, Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, in communications addressed to both the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mildred Siryon, and the Secretary of the Senate, Hon. J. Nanborlor Singbeh.
The postponement arises from ongoing crisis at the House of Representatives. President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. has been informed of a Petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by the Honorable Speaker of the House, which seeks the Supreme Court’s intervention to resolve an ongoing impasse among House members.
The Speaker’s communication indicated that a majority of House members had requested that certain officials from the Executive Branch appear for hearings in the Joint Chambers rather than before the Speaker. The Speaker cautioned that complying with this request could undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for governance. In a related note, the Justice in Chambers declined to issue the Writ of Prohibition as requested by the Speaker on November 6, 2024.
In light of these developments, President Boakai is actively seeking expert advice to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Supreme Court’s ruling and its implications for governance. Stevquoah emphasized the President’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of the three branches of government and the importance of resolving the legislative quagmire in the interest of the Liberian people.
As a result of the ongoing consultations, the draft national budget will not be presented on the previously scheduled date. The President has expressed hope that the members of the House of Representatives will resolve the current issues swiftly, allowing for a more stable legislative environment.
The postponement of the budget submission underscores the intricate balance of power within Liberia’s government and highlights the need for cooperation among legislative leaders to ensure effective governance.
