MONROVIA – Fearing that they might not receive their salaries and benefits for the extra sitting, staffers of the Liberian Senate staged a protest on Thursday, January 4th, causing a blockade that prevented lawmakers from performing legislative functions.
By Henry Karmo [email protected]
The majority of the staffers have no chance of returning due to the election defeat of their bosses, and others from the central administration fear that any delay by their bosses to pay them before January 10, 2024, when the 54th legislature is expected to leave, will leave them with little or no options to claim their benefits.
The protest was triggered by news from the House of Representatives that the House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers, has promised to pay the staff of the House of Representatives two months’ benefits for their extra sitting.
Senator Morris Saytumah of Bomi County and chair of the Senate Ways, Means, and Finance Committee, in response to the protest, informed the staffers that payment for the extra sitting was still in process and couldn’t commit to a specific date.
During the protest, the staffers set up a roadblock, preventing senators from accessing the Senate wing of the Capitol building. Charles Brown, spokesman and head of the Senate staffers, stated, “We are protesting for our benefits for the extra sitting because we are not sure that lawmakers will commit to paying us after the expiration of their sitting on the 10th of January. So until that is done, there will be no legislative activities, including confirmation.”
As a consequence of the staffers’ actions, the Senate committees on Judiciary and Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning could not proceed with confirmation proceedings for two of President Weah’s nominees.
Justice Minister Frank Musa-Dean, nominee for the position of justice on the bench of the Honorable Supreme Court, was expected to appear before the Judiciary committee to give reasons why he’s best suited for the position. Similarly, Mr. Zamora Wolokollie, nominated by outgoing President George Weah, was expected to face the 15-member Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning Committee chaired by Senator Morris Saytumah.
Both nominations have been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some against and others in favor. Musa Dean’s six-year tenure as President Weah’s Justice Minister has led some to view him as a “spy” planted by President Weah as part of his exit strategy. Others see him as a professionally competent individual who will perform well on the bench of the Supreme Court.
Zamora will need a majority vote from the Senate for confirmation, and with public objections, including from some senators, it seems difficult, if not impossible, for him to get a smooth ride.
Prior to the protest on Thursday, January 4, 2024, the Supreme Court had notified the Senate about a writ of prohibition filed by the Unity Party and had requested a conference with the Senate leadership on January 9, 2024.
In the Supreme Court’s communication sent to the Senate through Pro-temp Albert Chie and Vice President Jewel, who is President of the Senate, they notified the Senate and invited them to file a brief on Monday, January 8, 2024, before the Supreme Court of Liberia by 9:00 AM to show cause why the petitioner (Unity Party) petition should not be granted.
The Petitioners, Unity Party, prays the Supreme Court to prohibit the Senate from conducting confirmation hearings and subsequently confirming Dean as Justice on the Bench of the Supreme Court of Liberia. Due to its urgency, the hearing will take place “en banc” (before the full bench of the Supreme Court).
In December 2023, outgoing President George M. Weah nominated Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, Jr., the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General, as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
President Weah conveyed this nomination in a letter addressed to Minister Dean, expressing his confidence in the Minister’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of peace, reconciliation, and the overall development of the country. His nomination comes in the wake of the early retirement sought by Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe.
The nomination, as per the Liberian Constitution, requires confirmation by the Liberian Senate. President Weah has formally notified the Senate of Cllr. Frank Musa Dean’s nomination and requested the submission of 35 copies of the nominee’s resume for review. Cllr. Frank Musa Dean has been at the helm of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s office, overseeing crucial legal matters and providing legal advice to the government.