
Monrovia — The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has issued a strong response to President Joseph Boakai’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), raising serious concerns over the legality of the legislative session during which the address was delivered and broader governance issues under his administration.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
Speaking at a press conference on January 29 at the party’s headquarters in Paynesville, MOVEE National Secretary General Jeremiah E. Paye argued that the legislative session hosting the SONA was unconstitutional. He stressed that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa remains the legitimate speaker of the House of Representatives.
Paye pointed to violations of Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution, highlighting the absence of over 30 members of the Legislature, including Representatives, Senators, and Supreme Court Justices, from the event. He termed the session “ultra vires” and questioned the legitimacy of the proceedings.
MOVEE also took aim at President Boakai’s first year in office, branding it a “failure” characterized by corruption, economic mismanagement, and a lack of tangible progress.
Paye, speaking on behalf of the party’s National Executive Committee, criticized Boakai’s leadership for worsening poverty in the country, pointing to the continued rise of the exchange rate and the failure to deliver relief to the Liberian people. He also noted the absence of substantial outcomes from international financial assistance packages.
The party expressed concerns about the mismanagement of public funds and the administration’s failure to address critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Despite allocations to the education sector, MOVEE noted that the situation in schools remains dire, with many students still lacking basic resources such as desks and chairs.
Similarly, Paye lamented the underfunding of the healthcare system, with citizens across Liberia continuing to face a shortage of essential services and medications.
On the topic of corruption, MOVEE criticized the Boakai administration for unaccounted off-budget expenditures and allegations of misconduct within government ranks.
The party also pointed out the administration’s failure to act on findings from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and other audits, which have implicated high-ranking officials in corrupt activities.
One of MOVEE’s most significant criticisms was aimed at what it described as President Boakai’s hypocrisy on corruption. Despite Boakai’s public declarations about fighting corruption in his SONA, MOVEE argued that the actions of his government have contradicted these claims. The party pointed to scandals involving the allocation of millions in public funds and the administration’s continued support for officials facing corruption allegations.
MOVEE also questioned Boakai’s foreign policy achievements, suggesting that while the president highlighted Liberia’s international standing and the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, these successes were largely the result of initiatives set in motion under the previous administration of George Weah.
In his remarks, Paye urged the Boakai government to shift its focus from political maneuvering and corruption to addressing the real and pressing issues faced by the Liberian people. He called on the president to respect the rule of law, adhere to constitutional principles, and take meaningful actions to improve the lives of Liberians.
The statement also called for increased transparency, accountability, and a more robust approach to fighting corruption. MOVEE further appealed to the Supreme Court of Liberia to prioritize the Bill of Information filed by Speaker Koffa, which addresses the ongoing political tensions within the legislature. The party also urged the government to provide more substantial support for critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
As the opposition party, MOVEE reaffirmed its commitment to holding the Boakai administration accountable and advocating for the rights and well-being of the Liberian people.