By Bill W. Cooper
President Joseph Boakai has written the Legislature, recalling them from their constituency break to discuss pressing issues of national concerns, in adherence of Article 32(B) of the Constitution.
Article 32(B) of the Constitution states: “The President shall on his own initiative of upon receipt of a certification signed by at least one fourth of the total membership of each house, and by proclamation, extend a regular session to the Legislature beyond the date for adjournment.”
It adds, “A call for a special or extraordinary session of the body to discuss or act upon matters of national emergency and concern is also accepted. When the extension or call is at the request of the Legislature, the proclamation shall be issued not later than forty-eight hours after the receipt of the certificate by the President.”
Recently, the Legislature adjourned for its first quarter of the first session which ran from January 15, 2024 to March 14, 2024, as the break was expected to fun from March 14, 2024 and end the second Friday of May, 2024.
But Boakai, in his March 25, 2024 evening communication, citing Article 32(B) of the Constitution, stated that his call for a special session of the Legislature to convene for 30 days from Monday, April 1, 2024, to Tuesday, April 30, 2024, is to discuss or act upon matters of national concerns.
“We acknowledge your first adjournment (First Constituency visit/break, which by law started on the third Friday of March, same being the 15th instant and will end on second Friday in May, same being the 10th instant of each year,” the President said.
Boakai furthered, “However, there are time-bound critical national issues which must be resolved as a matter of urgency. They are so critical that they cannot await the return of the Legislature in May. They include, inter alia, financing agreement for the Rural Economic Transformation Project between the Liberia and International Development Association.”
“The move is to extend to Liberia a credit which is deemed as non-concessional financing to improve productivity and market access for smallholder farmers and Agri-enterprises in project participating counties; the passage of the National Budget for FY-2024; and pending nominations for the full sitting of this government within the targeted 100 days deliverables, amongst others,” the letter added.
Meanwhile, the President’s decision also comes as the country grapples with a number of critical issues, including the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the establishment of the long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), electricity shortages, among other pressing matters.
It further underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action to address these challenges, as one of the key issues on the agenda for the special session is the Fiscal Year 2024 budget recently submitted by the Executive.
The budget is a crucial document that outlines the government’s spending priorities for the coming year and plays a critical role in shaping the country’s economic trajectory, ensuring the smooth and effective running of the government.
With the economy facing significant challenges, including high inflation and a widening budget deficit, lawmakers will need to work together to craft a budget that addresses these issues, while also meeting the needs of the population.
Another pressing issue is the establishment of the long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) as recommended in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Liberia, aimed at ending the culture of impunity and ensuring that alleged perpetrators of the civil war pay for their actions.
Prior to the closure of the Legislature, members of the House of Representatives signed and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence, a resolution calling for the establishment of the WECC in Liberia, but the Senate was unable act upon the document as it is still lingering in the committee room.
But, with the calling of the Legislature by the President, many Liberians, including Civil Society Organizations and the International Community, precisely the United States Government, are optimistic that the Senate will concur with the House’s resolution, thus paving the way for the court.
Also, a key pressing issue that will be discussed during the session is the ongoing electricity shortages that have plagued the country for years. The lack of reliable electricity has had a detrimental impact on businesses, households, and essential services, leading to widespread frustration and economic losses.
Lawmakers will need to come up with concrete solutions to address this issue and ensure that the country has a stable and sustainable energy supply, especially so now that the President has submitted a draft budget before them for scrutiny and appropriation.
In addition to these key issues, lawmakers will also be discussing a range of other matters of national importance, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security. These issues are all interconnected and require a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
As the special session gets underway, all eyes will be on the lawmakers as they work to find common ground and develop concrete solutions to the country’s most pressing issues. It is a critical moment for Liberia, and the decisions made during this session will have a lasting impact on the citizenry.
