Monrovia – Attorney Isaac Jackson, who was recently dismissed by President George Manneh Weah as Liberia’s Special Representative to the International Maritime Organization in London says the President was in breach of Article 89 of the Constitution as well as Part II, Section 7(4) of the Maritime Act of 2010 in naming a replacement for his position.
The IMO known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. The organization which comprises 174-member-states and three Associate members, was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1948 following a UN conference and came into existence 10 years later, with its headquarters in London, the United Kingdom.
President Weah recently named Mr. Moses Owen Brown, previously a public relations officer at the Civil Service Agency as a replacement for Attorney Jackson, who is also a former Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson who was appointed as permanent representative to IMO by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2016.
“Regrettably, my appointment does not fall under Article 54 of the constitution. I am protected under Article 89 0f the Constitution, and in keeping with Part II, Section 7 (4) of the Maritime Act of 2010. The President is totally wrong – his action is not supported by the Statute law creating the Maritime Authority – my position is tenured for five years,” Attorney Jackson told FrontPageAfrica via a statement Monday.
Section II, Part 7 of the Act states: “Suspension and Removal of the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall be subject to removal or suspension from his position by the President of Liberia, on the recommendation of the Board, for nonperformance, for dishonesty, or any offense in violation of the Liberian criminal laws or, as a result of the outcome of a due process investigation, or a showing of complete disregard for international treaties and conventions to which Liberia is a party, or on grounds of verified physical, mental or administrative incapacity. Any suspension or removal shall be without prejudice to any criminal sanctions which may be imposed upon trial and conviction. Where the Commissioner is removed or-resigns his position, the Board shall appoint one or more Deputy Commissioners to act as Commissioner pending the recommendation of a replacement by the Board with the approval of the President of Liberia.”
Mr. Jackson’s argument is that the IMO position falls under the Deputy Commissioner and therefore his tenure argument is valid.
FrontPageAfrica has learned that during the drafting of the new act, former commissioner Binyah Kesselly intentionally did not include the Permanent Rep under the Deputy Commissioner bracket on grounds that the commissioner is the permanent representative although the position is listed as a deputy commissioner’s position on the LMA’s organizational chart.
But Attorney Jackson insists that he is unhappy over the manner in which the President came to a decision to name a replacement for his post. “It is sad that we are losing consensus on standard and decency in government. I was never advised – yet, some of our friends in government are incapable of asking hard questions regarding this matter. I am giving serious consideration to having the Full Bench of the Supreme Court look into this matter in the hope of getting judgement in my favor.”
Attorney Jackson, FrontPageAfrica has learned has already notified his immediate boss, Maritime Commissioner James Kesselly about his dissatisfaction but the matter appears to be out of the commissioner’s hands.
In a communication obtained by FPA, Attorney Jackson writes that he first learned of that his job was in jeopardy through a press release from the president’s office. “The implications of the press release are entirely unclear, and in the absence of any further information, has become a source of great anxiety for my family and I particularly in view of the impact that it could have for my professional and family life.”
Attorney Jackson explained that as the holder of the position of Deputy-Commissioner of the Authority under Section 7(4) of the Act, he has a tenure for an initial period of five(5) years, which may be renewed for a further four(4) years upon recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Authority to the President. “Aware that the law seeks to protect the maritime program against being operated as a revolving door, my removal from the position of Deputy-Commissioner can only take place under section 7(4) of the Act subject to approval of the Board of the Authority.”
Attorney Jackson added: “I have now held the position of Deputy Commissioner and Permanent Representative to the IMO for a period of 21 months. The performance of my duties in this position has required that I relocate with my wife and young children from Liberia to the United Kingdom and establish a family life in London. I have during this period worked successfully to enhance the role of the position of Liberia within the IMO system. Not only were we honored to be received by and met with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but also we were successful in ensuring that Liberia maintained her seat on the IMO Council with a higher number of votes than in the previous election.”
In a response to Mr. Jackson obtained by FrontPageAfrica, the commissioner said: “Regarding this matter, sir, the rightful place to seek all and any clarification will be the Office of the President since in fact the President is the appointing authority. As you are aware, the position in question falls under the authority of the President and I will not be in any position to provide any clarification in the matter under consideration. My job is to carry out and obey the President’s instructions.”
Attorney Jackson said Liberia is currently co-sponsoring a document which will lead to a reform of the IMO Council, a reform from which Liberia will benefit. “I have received considerable praise for this work and have been immensely proud to advocate and represent the interest of Liberia in an international organization that is central to the economic development of the country.”