Rule of Law Caucus to Boycott State of the Nation Address

The Rule of Law Caucus has announced its intention to skip the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), citing concerns over what it calls the Executive branch’s increasing encroachment on legislative independence. This decision, revealed in a press statement on Monday, underscores growing tensions between the legislative and executive branches of government.

The caucus, chaired by Nimba County District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility, expressed strong disapproval of the Executive’s decision to recognize Richard N. Koon as Speaker of the House of Representatives. According to the group, this move disregards the authority of the legitimate Speaker and undermines democratic principles.

“This is a blatant violation of democratic principles and legislative autonomy,” the statement declared. “Attending the SONA under such circumstances would amount to tacit approval of this illegitimacy—a position we categorically reject.”

The caucus further argued that the Executive’s actions show a lack of respect for the judicial process, as the matter remains under court review.

Rising Tensions

Fueling the boycott decision are recent incidents involving law enforcement, which the caucus claims targeted its members. According to the statement, there have been attempts to fabricate evidence against them as a means of suppressing dissent.

Despite this, the group has affirmed its commitment to cooperating with investigations, provided they are conducted impartially. “We will resist, in the court of law, any attempt to fabricate evidence against our colleagues,” the caucus emphasized.

A Call for Unity

The Rule of Law Caucus is calling on members of the Senate and other lawmakers to join them in this act of defiance. They argue that participating in the SONA under current circumstances would compromise the integrity of the Legislature and perpetuate what they see as the Executive’s overreach.

“As lawmakers, our constitutional duty is to uphold the sanctity of the Legislature,” the statement noted. “Participating in an event organized by an Executive that flagrantly disregards legislative independence would compromise our integrity and perpetuate this illegality.”

The boycott marks a significant moment in Liberia’s political landscape, as lawmakers push back against what they perceive as threats to the country’s democratic foundations. Stay tuned for further developments on this unfolding story.