The upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be without the presence of more than two dozen lawmakers dubbed and styled “the Rule of Law Caucus” in Liberia’s House of Representatives. The group, led by Rep. Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County, has decided to abstain from the event. Their decision stems from serious concerns over what they perceive as the ongoing erosion of the Legislature’s independence and a growing influence by the Executive in legislative matters.
Rep. Bility stated on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, outlining the caucus’s dissatisfaction with the situation surrounding the Speaker of the House. The caucus vehemently opposes the Executive’s decision to recognize Hon. Richard N. Koon as Speaker of the House, arguing that the action is premature and undermines the ongoing judicial review of his election. According to Bility, acknowledging Koon’s position before a court ruling directly infringes upon the legislative body’s autonomy.
“The actions of the Executive in recognizing Richard N. Koon, despite the unresolved legal matter, are both a violation of the law and an affront to the dignity of the Legislature,” Bility said. He emphasized that participating in the SONA under these circumstances would endorse what the caucus views as an illegitimate action that directly contradicts democratic principles.
The caucus also raised concerns about what they describe as undue aggression by law enforcement against their members, citing incidents of intimidation in recent weeks. In addition, the caucus vowed to fight any attempts to fabricate evidence against its members as part of a broader strategy to quash their opposition to the perceived erosion of the rule of law in Liberia.
Despite boycotting the SONA, the Rule of Law Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with any legitimate investigations into the issue. However, it made it clear that it would not recognize a Speaker whose legitimacy is still under dispute in the courts.
Rep. Bility further argued that legislators have a fundamental duty to preserve the integrity of the House and uphold the principles of democratic governance. He contended that participating in an event organized by an Executive that disregards the independence of the Legislature would compromise the institution’s integrity and could be seen as tacit approval of an unconstitutional action.
The caucus has called on fellow lawmakers, particularly in the Senate, to join them in standing against any attempts to undermine Liberia’s democratic institutions. They have framed their boycott of the SONA as a principled stand for preserving legislative independence, the rule of law, and the democratic process in Liberia.
This move by the Rule of Law Caucus highlights the growing tensions in the country’s political landscape, particularly regarding the Speaker’s position and the balance of power between the branches of government. The caucus remains resolute in resisting any actions threatening the rule of law and the principles upon which Liberia’s democracy is built.
