MONROVIA — Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung has openly declared at a U.S. town hall meeting that his role under President Joseph Boakai is akin to a “parked car”—unable to move unless instructed. His blunt comparison resurrects memories of Boakai’s own controversial admission during the fiery 2017 presidential debates, where he faced severe backlash for suggesting that he had minimal influence and limited visibility during his 12-year tenure as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
During that debate, Boakai, who was then completing a 12-year vice presidency and vying for the presidency, indicated that he could not function properly as Vice President due to inherent limitations, famously stating, “You will not know the speed of a racing car when it is parked in a garage.”
Boakai, a presidential candidate at the time, came under heavy criticism from his opponents, who described him as an ineffective Vice President. At that period, Boakai appeared not to have the blessings of then-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to succeed her, as her two-term tenure was ending. His “parked car” statement seemed to deepen existing wounds. Boakai subsequently lost that election to George M. Weah, who had selected Bong County Senator Jewel Howard Taylor as his running mate.
Interestingly, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, who succeeded Boakai, had vehemently declared she would never accept a “parked car” role. However, two years into her tenure under President Weah, Taylor herself expressed frustration over being sidelined.
In January 2020, Taylor told FrontPageAfrica, “The truth is that statement was made by then-Ambassador George Weah on the campaign trail. I was subsequently asked about it and reiterated that I would not be a parked race car in a garage. I had no regrets then and have none now. Thankfully, over the past two years, I have been actively involved in many state activities, including women’s empowerment initiatives. So, I am definitely not a race car parked in a garage. In fact, I am not parked at all. Though I may not be running at my highest speed, I am on the road and intend to continue to be so, by the special grace of God.”
Despite the sidelined treatment, Vice President Taylor stated that her persistence in spite of unfolding challenges demonstrated her strength and courage. “To feel haunted by those words is to have given up and thrown in the towel. Those who know me will say in a heartbeat—She is not a quitter. As long as I have life, breath, and opportunities to continue to be a change agent—I will remain so. But I will say Ambassador Boakai is an astute statesman, and I’m grateful for his contributions to our nation.”
Contrasting Taylor’s struggles, Vice President Koung seems resigned to the inherent limitations of his position, openly acknowledging the passive nature of his constitutional role. “Every vice president is a parked car,” he candidly stated. “If the president does not request assistance, the vice president must simply attend sessions and wait. Any vice president who tries to exceed their authority will find themselves in trouble.”
Koung said that his role is advisory and confidential, pointing out that once he has given advice privately, it is entirely up to President Boakai whether to accept it. “If I give advice, I give it privately. If the president takes it or leaves it, my job ends there. Once a decision is made, I defend it publicly, regardless of my initial position,” he explained.
Highlighting the strict hierarchical structure within the executive, Koung reiterated that all executive power is vested solely in the presidency. “Whether the vice president is popular or not, executive authority belongs only to the president,” he stated.
Further detailing protocol, Koung explained, “If I want to travel, I must seek approval from the chief—the president. If he says no, I stay put. That is the nature of the vice presidency.”
Vice President Koung affirmed that he has accepted his constitutional role, distancing himself from past tensions between previous presidents and their deputies. “You’ve all seen the drama before,” Koung remarked. “That will not happen with me, because I know and accept my role clearly.”
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