MONROVIA – Former Montserrado County Representative Rufus Neufville has justified the need for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to take full control of security during the deliverance of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to the Liberian People.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Neufville is a former National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)
Article 58 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution states that: “The President shall, on the fourth working Monday in January of each year, present the administration’s legislative program for the ensuing session, and shall once a year report to the Legislature on the state of the Republic. In presenting the economic condition of the Republic the report shall cover expenditure as well as income.”
In fulfillment of this, President Boakai will on Monday, January 27, address the nation, through the National Legislature, in the midst of a serious unceasing leadership crisis at the House of Representatives.
In a statement issued on his official social media page on Tuesday, January 7, Neufville observed that the SONA is usually characterized by celebration in the presence of international partners.
He observed that though the Speaker of the House of Representatives presides, calls the Special Session to order. directs the protocol and entertains all motions, including adjournment, these procedures will get very complicated if two lawmakers continue to battle for the legitimacy of the speakership.
The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a leadership crisis following the decision taken by over 45 members calling themselves “Majority Bloc” to oust embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa, accusing him of alleged conflict of interest, corruption and nepotism.
The Majority Bloc claimed to have elected Representative Richard Koon as their new Speaker, but embattled Speaker Koffa continues to hold office, reneging to resign and vacate the office set aside for the legitimate Speaker of the House at the Capitol Building, despite notice from the Majority Bloc to do so.
A bill of information has been filed by embattled Speaker Koffa to the Supreme Court of Liberia to make clear its initial ruling on the matter.
Neufville observed that Speaker Koffa may rely on the Supreme Court opinion to demand the gavel after the executive branch and the Liberian Senate recognized the Majority Bloc.
As for Rep. Richard Koon, he added that, he may exert his authority on three grounds including the support from the majority especially Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, the concurrence from the Liberian Senate, and his unwavering backing of the Executive Branch.
“If this impasse persists up to the SONA, the military will have no option but to take control and enforce order. The military has the power to remove officials from the hall for disruptive behavior.”
He continued: “Have you wondered why the Sergeant at Arms at the House of Representatives is a Brigadier General? Is it not concerning that an ordinary police officer is not playing that role?
Why the military?”
According to him, a Brigadier General is above a Colonel and below a Major General, but when appointed to a field of command, a Brigadier General is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000 troops (two regiments or four battalions).
Neufville pointed out that the Sergeant-At-Arms can remove a lawmaker from the session for bad behavior.
“If a Cabinet Minister is sentenced to prison for contempt of the Legislature, he will be escorted by the Sergeant at Arms. If Officials refuse to appear before the body, the Sergeant at Arms can get him.”
He recalled that during normal legislative activities, the Speaker or Presiding Officer may direct the General in keeping with the Rules of the House.
However, he added that, “most military analysts believe that in times of crisis the Brigadier General must take orders from the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.”
Neufville cited Article 50 of the Liberian Constitution as his reliance.
Article 50 states that: ” The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President who shall be Headof State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms.”
Neufville emphasized that it is therefore safe to say that in case of confusion or tussle over the gavel at the SONA, the military will take over and enforce good behavior.
The venue of the SONA remains uncertain following a fire incident which destroyed the Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building and other offices.
The executive is expected to implore additional stringent security measures to prevent a national embarrassment to Liberia and its citizens in the wake of plans by some disenchanted lawmakers to disrupt the event constitutional set aside for the President to report to the Liberian people and normally graced by foreign dignitaries, including Ambassadors of various countries, Counsel Generals, amongst others.
