By Bill W. Cooper
A group of senators have raised serious concerns regarding the actions of President Joseph Boakai, particularly his recent decisions to suspend tenure officials and appoint acting replacements without the necessary Senate confirmation.
This situation sparked a heated debate during yesterday’s, March 20, 2025, session about the legality and implications of such actions, with the Senators calling for accountability and adherence to constitutional protocols.
According to our legislative reporter, the controversy erupted yesterday, after Bomi County Senator, Edwin Melvin Snowe raised concerns about the President’s decision to appoint an acting CEO at the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), bypassing Senate confirmation.
The Bomi County Senator also voiced his frustrations over what he termed as the usurping of legislative functions by the President and his officials over his continuous appointment of officials to tenure positions without their consent as enshrined in the Constitution.
President Joseph Boakai, who took office in 2024, amid promises of reform and transparency, has faced increasing scrutiny over his administration’s handling of key appointments, coupled with respecting the laws of Liberia.
However, Article 54 of the Constitution states that the President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint and commission cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers; ambassadors, ministers, consuls.
Others are the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts; superintendents, other county officials and officials of other political subdivisions; members of the military from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent and above, and marshals, deputy marshals, and sheriffs.
But Boakai’s recent appointments have raised questions about his commitment to these principles, coupled with ensuring a system of checks and balances between the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch of the government.
Some of the institutions involved in the controversy include the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), NOCAL, among others.
In his assertion, Sen. Snowe further expressed a deep concern regarding the President’s continuous actions, and stressed, “We cannot sit and allow the Executive Branch to continue to operate outside the bounds of the law.”
“The Constitution is clear, and we must uphold it because in my mind, this action to disrespect this body is an affront to the people we represent, as such, there is need for us, Pro-Temp, to address this matter now,” he cautioned.
Also weighing on the matter, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon emphasized, “Pro-Temp and colleagues, the legal blunders coming from the Executive Mansion are unacceptable.”
“I Don’t know what kind of legal advisors President Boakai has that are giving him all these pieces of advice in violation of the Constitution because it has been one year now in office and the President is still making the same mistakes and this needs to stop now!” Dillon, added.
Gbarpolu and Margibi Counties’ Senators, Amara Konneh and Nathaniel McGill, added, “The rule of law is the foundation of our democracy as such, any actions taken by the President that circumvent our function is counterproductive to the tenant of good governance.”
“And if we sit and allow this to go unchecked, we risk eroding the very fabric of our democratic institutions because our role in confirming appointments is not merely a formality; it is a critical component of our system of checks and balances.
“So, Madam Pro-Temp, we believe and trust in your leadership ability that’s the reason why we make you our leader to address these kinds of issues. We give the President one year to address all of these mistakes as such, we will not be silent on these issues anymore,” they added.
Meanwhile, following the deliberations on the matter, a motion was proffered by Sen. Dillon to cite the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, and the President’s legal advisor, accompanied by the Minister of Justice to answer to the Senators concerns regarding the President’s actions.
Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence assured her colleagues that she will work along with the Senate leadership to have a consultative meeting with the Executive Mansion, laying before them all of the issues as being raised, and a report will be made upon their return from their constitutional break.
