By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has issued a stern warning to President Joseph Boakai, highlighting serious potential consequences due to what they describe as the President’s alleged failure to effectively govern the country.
In an exclusive interview yesterday LNBA president, Sylvester D. Rennie, expressed concerns about the ongoing budgetary conflict between the Executive and Judiciary branches.
He argued that this discord is not only creating animosity but also paralyzing government functions stating, “What is currently happening between the Executive and the Judiciary regarding budgetary allocation doesn’t only potentially create bad blood but paralyzes government functions.”
Cllr. Rennie criticized the administration’s handling of governance, suggesting that President Boakai is not in control of the country’s leadership.
“We want the President to take charge of the governance of the country. The way the government is running now, it seems the President doesn’t have control. President Boakai served as Vice President to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for twelve years and saw how she managed governance despite challenges. With that experience, President Boakai needs to assert his authority, or the government will gradually collapse,” Cllr. Rennie warned.
He further pointed out that the ongoing conflict between the Judiciary and the Executive could lead to a loss of public confidence in the governance system and potentially result in vigilante justice due to an ineffective judicial system.
“No one will want to come to court if the government doesn’t respect its own aims. Therefore, the President needs to act urgently and take control of the state’s governance,” he argued.
Cllr. Rennie emphasized the importance of the Rule of Law, describing it as a crucial pillar of the government’s ARREST Agenda and urged the government to support the judiciary with necessary budgetary allocations to fulfill their promises to the Liberian people.
He also lamented the lack of progress following a meeting organized by President Boakai with the three branches of government to address the 2024 National Budget issues. Despite this intervention, no significant impact has been observed.
“It is frustrating that the President held a meeting with the three branches of government, with the judiciary stating its position on the 2024 National Budget, yet no impact has been made,” he noted.
Cllr. Rennie warned that the current disagreement between the Judiciary and Executive could lead to a breakdown in effective governance, as one non-functional sector would paralyze the entire government.
He concluded by recommending that President Boakai start negotiating with the Judiciary and take charge of the governance process before it is too late, questioning how the government expects to prosecute high-profile criminal cases without a financially capable judiciary.
