MONROVIA – Alexander B. Cummings, Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), has called on President Joseph Boakai to fully comply with the recent Supreme Court ruling, warning that failure to do so undermines both the rule of law and Liberia’s image on the world stage.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Cummings emphasized that the legal requirements surrounding the ongoing leadership dispute in the House of Representatives are clear and unambiguous. No room for misinterpretation,” Cummings stated. He argued that the so-called “majority bloc” in the House does not have the constitutionally required numbers to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, and that their actions, along with the executive branch’s support, are legally flawed.
Cummings stressed that if the majority bloc were determined to remove the Speaker, they should have followed the proper legal process by securing the necessary votes rather than attempting to “subvert the rules.” He noted that while the Speaker lacks political support among a significant portion of the House, the solution to that problem is political, not legal. He criticized President Boakai for failing to broker a resolution and said that the president’s actions have emboldened the bloc while sidelining opportunities for dialogue.
“The Speaker appears open to a dialogue, but ‘the bloc,’ emboldened by the President’s actions, refuses to engage,” Cummings said, adding that political and legal issues are being confused, possibly intentionally, further complicating efforts to move forward.
Cummings expressed concern that Liberia currently appears disorganized on the international stage, and that President Boakai is perceived as indecisive or weak. He argued that the President should have unequivocally stated his commitment to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision, but failed to do so.
Despite his criticisms, Cummings maintained that it is not too late for the Boakai administration to correct course. He urged political and legal actors to work behind the scenes to resolve the crisis in the best interest of the country. “There is still an opportunity to resolve this politically and/or legally and I hope discussions are happening behind the scenes to do so,” he said. “Not following the Rule of Law is NOT an option.”
