Monrovia, Liberia – The recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Joseph Boakai sparked a strong reaction from the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), which expressed grave concerns about the legitimacy of the legislative session in which the speech was given as well as more general governance concerns under his administration.
At the party’s Paynesville headquarters, MOVEE National Secretary General Jeremiah E. Paye made the case that the parliamentary session that hosted the SONA was unlawful during a news conference on January 29. He emphasized that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa is still the House of Representatives’ lawful speaker.
Paye drew attention to the absence of more than 30 members of the Legislature, including Senators, Representatives, and Justices of the Supreme Court, from the event, pointing to breaches of Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution. He questioned the validity of the proceedings and referred to the session as “ultra vires.”
Additionally, MOVEE criticized President Boakai’s first year in office, calling it a “failure” marked by economic mismanagement, corruption, and a lack of noticeable advancement.
Speaking on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the party, Paye blamed President Boakai’s leadership for the country’s growing poverty, citing the currency rate’s continuous increase and the lack of aid for the Liberian people. Additionally, he pointed out that international financial aid packages had not had any significant results.
Concerns over the administration’s mishandling of public finances and its disregard for vital sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, and education were voiced by the party.
MOVEE stated that despite funding for the education sector, the state of affairs in schools is still terrible, with many children still missing access to necessities like desks and chairs. Paye also criticized the lack of financing for the healthcare sector, pointing out that residents of Liberia are still experiencing a scarcity of necessary services and prescription drugs.
MOVEE condemned the Boakai administration for alleged wrongdoing within the government and reported off-budget expenses. Additionally, the party drew attention to the administration’s inaction on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) and other audits’ findings that implicated senior officials in corrupt practices.
The alleged hypocrisy of President Boakai regarding corruption was the subject of one of MOVEE’s most important critiques. MOVEE argued that Boakai’s government’s actions have been conflicting with his public statements in his SONA on combating corruption. The administration’s ongoing backing for officials accused of corruption and scandals involving the distribution of millions of public cash were cited by the party.
While the president emphasized Liberia’s international standing and the nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, MOVEE also questioned Boakai’s foreign policy accomplishments, arguing that these were primarily the outcome of initiatives started under the previous George Weah administration.
During his speech, Paye asked the Boakai administration to move its attention away from corruption and political scheming and toward solving the urgent problems that the Liberian people are facing. He urged the president to uphold the rule of law, follow the constitution, and take significant steps to make Liberians’ lives better.
More accountability, openness, and a more forceful anti-corruption strategy were also demanded in the declaration. In order to resolve the current political conflicts within the legislature, MOVEE further urged the Supreme Court of Liberia to give Speaker Koffa’s Bill of Information first priority. The party also pushed for the government to give vital industries like healthcare, education, and agriculture more significant funding. As the opposition party, MOVEE reiterated its dedication to defending the rights and welfare of the Liberian people and holding the Boakai government responsible.
