There are moments in the life of a nation when the choices of its leaders define not only the future but the very meaning of governance. For Liberia, such a moment is now. And for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, this is his constitutional test — a test not of rhetoric, not of political maneuvering, but of his solemn oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.”
On April 23, 2025, the Supreme Court of Liberia spoke with clarity, finality, and authority. In a ruling anchored in Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution, the Court reinstated Representative J. Fonati Koffa as the legitimate Speaker of the House of Representatives and nullified the proceedings and acts undertaken by the faction led by Representative Richard Koon. The Court reminded us all: the rule of law is not a matter of convenience, and legitimacy is not simply a matter of numbers.
And yet, barely a day after this landmark ruling, President Boakai chose a different path — one paved not by constitutional fidelity, but by political compromise. His statement that his government will work with any faction in the House that holds quorum, regardless of who presides, is nothing short of a quiet rebellion against the Judiciary. It suggests a willingness to prioritize expediency over law, functionality over legality — and in doing so, casts a long shadow over his promise to uphold the Constitution.
Liberia cannot afford to slip into a culture of selective justice. The President’s responsibility is not to balance competing political interests. It is to stand firm when the Constitution speaks. When the Supreme Court rules, that ruling is binding. It is not to be interpreted to fit political needs; it is to be respected, implemented, and defended.
In remaining equivocal, President Boakai risks aiding and abetting defiance of the highest court in the land. His stance emboldens illegitimacy and erodes public trust in our institutions. This is not statesmanship. It is hesitation at a time when leadership demands courage.
Where is the Joseph Boakai who inspired millions with a promise to lead with integrity and moral clarity? Where is the elder statesman who pledged to repair the cracks in our democracy? Liberia does not need a referee in this crisis — it needs a President who leads by the book and by the law.
The 1986 Constitution is unambiguous. The Speaker of the House — and only the Speaker or Deputy Speaker in his absence — may preside over legislative proceedings. The Supreme Court has spoken. The constitutional order has been clarified. Now, Mr. President, it is your duty to enforce that order — not reinterpret it, not dilute it, and certainly not ignore it.
As international partners like ECOWAS, Ghana, and legal observers have emphasized, democracy thrives only when the rule of law is paramount. We must not walk backward into the chaos of parallel governance. We must not pretend that two Houses can operate in one Republic. We cannot afford to barter the Constitution for political peace.
Let us not forget that history will record these moments. And the people of Liberia — the true custodians of power — will remember whether President Boakai rose to defend the Constitution or quietly stood by as it was undermined from within.
Justice must be blind. And if the President is to be a servant of the law, then he, too, must be colorblind to political factions. The nation demands of President Boakai not just words of unity — but actions that align with justice.
The Supreme Court has ruled. Now, Mr. President, it is time for you to lead.
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