By Precious D. Freeman
The Supreme Court’s intervention into the petition from the Office of the Ombudsman surmises that government officials are to now relinquish their roles in political parties in order to remain as a government employee especially in the cabinet.
The high court’s decision, which upholds the enforcement of Liberia’s Code of Conduct, marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the separation of public service and political affiliations.
The petition, filed by the Unity Party, the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), and other political groups, sought to challenge this mandate, arguing that certain provisions of the Code of Conduct particularly those related to government officials holding positions in political parties were ambiguous and required further clarification before enforcement.
The Ombudsman’s petition edifies President Joseph Boakai’s warning earlier this year, that all his government officials who hold positions within political parties are to choose either to remain in government service or stay active in the political party.
The goal is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and ensure that public officials remain impartial in their duties.
Justice in Chambers Yormie Gbeisay reviewed the petition but ultimately decided not to interfere with the Ombudsman’s directive.
In his ruling, Justice Gbeisay made clear that the role of the Supreme Court was not to block the enforcement of the order, but rather to provide clarity on the petitioners’ concerns about the interpretation of the Code.
“The court’s responsibility is not to stop enforcement but to clarify the law, and the petitioners have not shown sufficient grounds for us to halt the Ombudsman’s directive at this stage,” Justice Gbeisay stated in his ruling.
This decision now paves the way for the full implementation of the Ombudsman’s order. Government officials who also serve in political capacities are now required to make a decision regarding which role they will maintain. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct could result in sanctions or dismissal.
The ruling has drawn significant attention from political parties and civil society groups, sparking a wider discussion about the balance between political participation and public office.
Proponents of the Code argue that the separation of powers is crucial for maintaining impartiality and trust in the government, while critics of the Ombudsman’s directive argue that the law is overly restrictive and limits the political freedom of government officials.
Following the court’s decision, the Chairperson of the Office of the Ombudsman, Findley Karnga, reiterated the office’s commitment to enforcing the Code of Conduct.
“This ruling reinforces the principle that public service must be free from political interference,” Karnga said. “We are confident that the implementation of this directive will uphold the integrity of our public institutions and serve the best interests of the Liberian people.”
The Unity Party and MDR, which had filed the petition, have yet to release official statements regarding their next steps.
However, the court’s ruling leaves little room for further legal challenges to the enforcement of the order, meaning that government officials must now comply with the law.
As the ruling takes effect, attention will likely turn to the practical impact of the decision.
Observers will be watching closely to see how government officials navigate the choice between their political careers and their positions in public service, and whether this ruling will spark further legal or political challenges in the future.
The Supreme Court’s decision, though final for now, has reignited conversations around political transparency, public service ethics, and the role of the Ombudsman in regulating Liberia’s political landscape.
