President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s upcoming second State of the Nation Address (SONA) faces the looming risk of disruption due to the ongoing political impasse within the Legislature.
The SONA, a constitutionally mandated event, is a key opportunity for the President to update the nation’s lawmakers on achievements, challenges, and plans. Traditionally held in the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building, the address serves as a platform to foster unity, bringing together lawmakers, executive officials, traditional leaders, civil society representatives, diplomats, and international partners in a coordinated and stable environment.
However, the escalating power struggle among lawmakers, particularly within the House of Representatives, threatens to undermine the success of this significant constitutional duty. The SONA, scheduled for the third working Monday of January, may face challenges in its execution, as the Capitol Building, the traditional venue, has become a battleground for political factions, casting doubt on the possibility of a unified and peaceful session.
At the heart of the impasse are two factions: the Majority Bloc and the Pro-Koffa Bloc. Despite a Supreme Court ruling to resolve the leadership dispute, the division has only deepened, with neither faction willing to compromise. The ongoing power struggle has led to a deteriorating legislative environment, with some observers describing the House of Representatives as a “Kangaroo legislature,” a term highlighting its dysfunction and disorder.
This political gridlock has far-reaching implications for national security and governance. Under such disorganized circumstances, civil society groups and development partners may hesitate to attend the SONA. Moreover, the impasse complicates President Boakai’s ability to engage effectively with the Legislature, as it remains unclear which faction he should address during his speech.
The situation has also sparked a war of words between lawmakers and the Executive Branch. J. Fonati Koffa, the embattled Speaker who claims legitimacy following the Supreme Court’s ruling, has accused the Executive of orchestrating a “treasonous plot” to interfere with legislative affairs. Meanwhile, members of the Pro-Koffa Bloc, including a lawmaker from Gbapolu County, have vowed to escalate the crisis if they believe the Executive is fueling the division.
“If this is what the President wants—for the Legislature to remain divided and hinder his SONA, we will give it to him,” the lawmaker declared during a press engagement.
Such remarks underscore the deepening mistrust and animosity between the two branches of government, risking the overshadowing of the President’s message and undermining the credibility of the SONA. This event, traditionally a unifying moment, may instead highlight the dysfunction within the government.
The ongoing legislative stalemate poses more than just a political inconvenience; it threatens Liberia’s stability and governance. Citizens are increasingly frustrated by the spectacle of dysfunction, as it detracts from urgent national issues such as economic recovery, security, and social development.
To avert further escalation, stakeholders must prioritize dialogue and mediation to restore order and unity within the Legislature. The success of the 2025 SONA, as well as the effective functioning of Liberia’s democratic institutions, hinges on swiftly resolving this crisis.