Philadelphia – President Joseph N. Boakai’s administration has delayed the submission of the Fiscal Year 2025 draft national budget, pointing to unresolved conflicts within the House of Representatives as the reason.
Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoh, announced that the budget submission, initially slated for October 31, has been rescheduled to November 8, 2024. Stevquoh attributed the delay to a dispute within the House, which led Speaker J. Fonati Koffa to file a Petition for a Writ of Prohibition with the Supreme Court. The Speaker’s petition sought to prevent certain House members from bypassing his authority and holding separate sessions.
In a letter to Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon, Stevquoh shared that Speaker Koffa had alerted President Boakai that some House members, representing a majority, were calling Executive Branch officials directly to joint chambers without his oversight. The Speaker advised the President to block Executive officials from participating, warning that such actions could “undermine the rule of law and establish a troubling precedent.”
However, on November 6, Justice in Chambers Yarmin Gbeisay denied Speaker Koffa’s request, opting not to issue the Writ of Prohibition.
Stevquoh noted that President Boakai is following the situation closely and consulting experts on the Supreme Court’s decision. “The President considers this development highly important and is steadfast in his commitment to preserving the principles of ‘three separate but coordinate branches of government,’” Stevquoh stated, underscoring the administration’s dedication to maintaining constitutional balance.
Analysts suggest that the tensions between the Legislative and Executive branches could have broader implications for Liberia’s governance. The response to the Supreme Court’s ruling may play a critical role in shaping both legislative proceedings and budget planning in the coming weeks.
