The Rule of Law Legislative Caucus Chairman Musa H. Bility has disclosed that the members of the caucus have unanimously agreed to boycott the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Joseph N. Boakai on January 27, 2025.
The Rule of Law Caucus is a conglomerate of lawmakers against the illegal removal of embattled House of Representatives Speaker J. Fonati Koffa by members of the Majority Bloc and the subsequent election of Representative Richard N. Koon as new speaker of the august body.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Rule of Law Caucus Chairman Bility said the decision was not made lightly; it reflects their deep concerns over the ongoing erosion of legislative independence and the increasing interference of the Executive Branch in the affairs of the Legislature.
Bility said the Executive’s recognition of Richard N. Koon as Speaker, despite the legitimate Speaker still being in office, is a blatant violation of democratic principles and legislative autonomy.
“This unprecedented action does not only strip the legitimate Speaker of his authority and dignity but also humiliates the Legislature as an institution. Attending the SONA under such circumstances would amount to tacit approval of this illegitimacy—a position we categorically reject,” he said.
According to him, their concerns are further heightened by the recent aggression against members of the Rule of Law Caucus by law enforcement officers and they will resist it in the court of law, any attempt to fabricate evidence against their colleagues as a means to quell their resistance to the erosion of the rule of law.
However, the Nimba County lawmaker said they remain committed to an impartial investigation of the matter and will continue to cooperate with the authorities during these investigations.
“By boycotting the SONA, we are sending a resolute message: we will not acknowledge the authority of a speaker who has not been legitimately elected. The matter is currently under judicial review, and any recognition of Honorable Richard N. Koon prior to a final court determination undermines both the rule of law and the democratic process,” he said.
Representative Bility said as lawmakers, their constitutional duty is to uphold the sanctity of the legislature and participating in an event organized by an Executive that flagrantly disregards legislative independence would compromise their integrity and perpetuate this illegality.
Bility calls on members of the Senate and other lawmakers who share their concerns to join them in that principled stand and together reject any actions that degrade their institutions, erode the rule of law, and threaten Liberia’s democracy.
He said the Rule of Law Caucus remains steadfast in its commitment to justice, legislative independence, and democratic governance and the boycott is not an act of defiance but a firm and principled stand against actions that threaten the very foundation of our democracy.
