Boakai to work with quorum

President Boakai on Thursday night gave his opinion about the recent Supreme Court decision, while issuing stern warnings.

Monrovia, April 25, 2025: President Joseph Boakai says his administration will continue to work with the Constitutional quorum to ensure the functioning of the government, while insisting that government will not be held hostage by narrow interests or acts of lawlessness.

“Let me be clear: under my leadership, the government of Liberia will not be held hostage by narrow interests or acts of lawlessness,” President Boakai said Thursday night while addressing the nation on the Supreme Court ruling into the ongoing Legislative impasse.

“The work of governance will continue,” he said, “… nothing will distract us from our duty to serve the Liberian people.”

“…our Constitution and the Supreme Court have defined what constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business in the Legislature. We intend to vigorously uphold this vital principle of our constitutional democracy. We will continue to work with the quorum that will ensure the full functioning of our government.” President Boakai went on.

While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s ruling on the subject matter, President Boakai who has publicly taken side in the ongoing Speakership dispute at the House of Representative argued that the Court’s ruling on Wednesday, April 23, has not resolved the issue.

“As President of the Republic, I acknowledge the ruling of the Supreme Court.

However, we must all note that the House of Representatives’ problem remains unresolved.” Boakai opined.

Meanwhile, Mr. Boakai said his administration has already initiated broad consultations with relevant national stakeholders to determine the most appropriate and constitutionally sound path forward.

“We have actively involved our traditional and other national leaders in addressing this matter,” he said.  “In doing so, we remain fully committed to preserving the sanctity of our democracy and the principle of three separate but coordinate branches of government.”

Giving an uphill appraisal of the political stalemate at the House of Representatives, the President recounted that over the past months, the country has watched with growing concern as the division in the House of Representatives remained unresolved.

This ongoing dispute, he acknowledged, has continued to undermine public confidence in the legislature which he described as one of the nation’s most vital democratic institutions.

“Tragically, we have also witnessed the torching of the Capitol Building, a national symbol of our democracy, by arsonists intent on sowing chaos and discord. Today, we received a report of acts of vandalism intended to desecrate the dignity of our public institutions and buildings. The Police are investigating.

We are a country governed by laws, not by mobs or self-serving ambition. Those who undermine peace, violate the law, or seek to disrupt national harmony will face the full force of the law and justice,” he assured.

The president further assured citizens that the government remains functional and steadfast in its responsibility to deliver services, maintain order, and uphold the values of democracy and good governance.

Meanwhile, Cllr. Koffa, whose Speakership has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court, said consultations are underway for the next course of action, following the President’s speech.

Speaker Koffa on Wednesday extended arms of reconciliation to both “Regime Speaker” Richard Koon and Deputy House Speaker Thomas Fallah following the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Koffa made specific mention of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, Majority bloc leader Richard Koon, and other lawmakers who had earlier sought his removal.

However, it remains to be seen how far this crisis will go. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.