The Rule of Law Caucus in the House of Representatives, led by Representative Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County District #7, has issued a critical response to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered to the 55th Legislature on Monday, January 27, 2025.
In its statement today, the caucus acknowledged the ambitions outlined in the President’s address but expressed concerns over the lack of tangible solutions to Liberia’s pressing challenges.
The caucus noted that while the President highlighted progress under his ARREST Agenda, the reality for many Liberians remains starkly different. They argued that persistent economic hardships, rising unemployment, and stagnant living standards are inconsistent with claims that Liberia’s economy is “in a better place.” Although the President reported GDP growth of 5.1%, largely driven by resource extraction and international support, the caucus questioned the inclusiveness of this growth and its impact on ordinary citizens.
Representative Bility’s group further criticized the administration’s handling of inflation, stating that the reported decline to 7.7% has had minimal impact on the affordability of essential goods like rice and fuel. They also raised concerns about the government’s legislative priorities, questioning why critical bills such as the Local Government Bill, Zoning Law, and National Tourism Bill were not addressed earlier.
The caucus challenged the administration’s lack of concrete actions on governance and anti-corruption. They argued that creating more commissions, such as the proposed State-Owned Enterprises Authority of Liberia (SEAL), risks exacerbating inefficiencies without addressing systemic corruption. The group demanded clarity on investigations into alleged mismanagement of public funds, asking how many officials have been held accountable during President Boakai’s tenure.
The Rule of Law Caucus also expressed skepticism about the government’s capacity to manage $3 billion in foreign investments effectively. They highlighted Liberia’s mounting debt, which now exceeds 54% of GDP, and questioned the administration’s long-term strategy for reducing dependence on foreign aid. The group emphasized the need for a robust private sector and local entrepreneurship to achieve sustainable growth.
Youth unemployment, another major concern, was underscored in their response. While acknowledging programs like the Liberia Youth Service Program (LYSEP) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission, the caucus argued that these initiatives lack immediate impact. They questioned the administration’s efforts to align training programs with market demands and secure private-sector partnerships to create jobs for program graduates.
Infrastructure development, touted as a priority in the President’s address, was also scrutinized. The caucus pointed to the poor state of roads, limited energy access, and unreliable public services as evidence of the administration’s failure to deliver on its promises. They demanded a clear timeline for road rehabilitation projects and a comprehensive plan for achieving nationwide access to affordable electricity.
In addressing national reconciliation and security, the caucus praised the call for unity but criticized the lack of actionable steps to address divisions along ethnic, political, and socio-economic lines. They also highlighted the rising tide of drug abuse and youth violence as critical security concerns that the President failed to address adequately.
The caucus commended the establishment of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts (WECC) but called for a detailed plan and timeline for its operationalization. They expressed frustration over delays and the absence of decisive action to address war crimes and economic crimes.
In concluding their response, the Rule of Law Caucus described President Boakai’s address as optimistic but insufficient in addressing Liberia’s immediate challenges. They called for greater transparency, accountability, and urgency from the administration to ensure that promises under the ARREST Agenda are not lost in execution. “Liberians deserve more than promises—they deserve real progress,” the caucus emphasized.
