Monrovia, Liberia – Owing to what they describe as the President’s purported inability to assume leadership of the nation’s governance process, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has issued a serious warning to President Joseph N. Boakai.
LNBA President Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie voiced concern about the ongoing conflicts between the Executive and Judiciary branches over financial allocations. He pointed out that this disagreement paralyzes government functions in addition to fostering hatred, according to a Frontpage Africa Report.
According to Cllr. Rennie, the way things are going under President Boakai’s government shows that he has little control over the nation’s governance. “We want the President to assume leadership of the nation’s governance. It seems like the President lacks authority based on the way the administration is currently operating. President Boakai saw firsthand how former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf kept control in the face of adversity during her twelve years as her vice president.
Cllr. Rennie cautioned that until President Boakai asserts his authority, the administration will progressively fall apart. He made the point that the continuous battle between the Judiciary and the Executive might cause the judicial system to become less effective, which would undermine public trust in the governing structure. “If this keeps on, no one will want to use the legal system since the government does not respect its own objectives. Thus, in order to regain control, the President must move quickly.”
Cllr. Rennie underlined that the present dispute might cause efficient government to collapse. “The government as a whole is paralyzed if one branch is not operating to its full potential.”
In order for the government to keep its promises to the Liberian people, he called the Rule of Law a key component of the ARREST Agenda and asked the government to provide the judiciary with the funding it needs.
It was suggested by the esteemed legal scholar that President Boakai initiate talks with the judiciary and assume control of the governance process prior to any more delays. The President arranged a tripartite conference with the three arms of government to discuss the 2024 National Budget issue, but despite the President’s intervention, no real progress was made, he voiced frustration.
Cllr. Rennie also questioned the President’s expectation that the government would prosecute well-known criminal cases in the absence of financial backing for the judiciary.
