Monrovia, Liberia – The absence of Supreme Court justices at President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s State of the Nation Address has sparked intense political debate, with the opposition calling it a necessary stand against constitutional overreach. Jefferson Koijee, former Mayor of Monrovia and now Secretary General of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), praised the judiciary’s decision, portraying it as an act of national preservation rather than defiance.
Koijee asserted that by refusing to attend the address, the justices prevented a dangerous precedent that could have undermined the country’s democratic stability. He emphasized that Boakai should not mistake his position as a license to consolidate power over all branches of government. According to him, the judiciary’s absence served as a warning against executive overreach.
The unexpected boycott has fueled speculation about growing tensions between the executive and judicial branches. It has also raised concerns about the level of confidence state institutions have in the Boakai administration. Critics argue that such a decision from the judiciary underscores deeper governance issues that the president has yet to address.
Security measures surrounding the event added to the controversy. The heavy deployment of police and military personnel outside the Capitol during Boakai’s address signaled a government on edge, according to opposition figures. Koijee criticized the show of force, interpreting it as an indication that the administration is struggling to maintain public trust.
Concerns over law enforcement leadership have further complicated matters. Critics have pointed to individuals within the Liberia National Police, such as Johnny Bolar Dean and Sam Ballah, who were previously dismissed over alleged criminal conduct but have since been reinstated. Their presence in key positions has raised alarms about the credibility and integrity of the police force.
Koijee directly blamed Inspector General Gregory Coleman for what he described as a dysfunctional and compromised police force. He argued that Coleman’s leadership style has contributed to a culture of brutality, further weakening public confidence in law enforcement. According to him, the current state of the police force makes the country vulnerable to unrest.
While the Liberian Constitution mandates that the president deliver an annual report on the state of the nation to the legislature, it does not require the judiciary’s presence. Despite this, it has been customary for Supreme Court justices to attend, making this year’s absence particularly significant.
The boycott appears to be tied to ongoing disputes surrounding House Speaker Richard Koon. His leadership has been a source of contention, and with legal challenges against him currently before the Supreme Court, the justices’ absence may have been a deliberate move to avoid legitimizing his role during the president’s address.
