President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. has requested a 30-day Special Session of the 55th Legislature, scheduled from April 1 to April 30, 2024, to address urgent national issues.

The President, on Monday, March 25, formally wrote Members of the 55th Legislature, to convene an extraordinary session to discuss and act upon matters of national concern, which he described as “time-bound, critical national issues.”

This call marks the first Special Session during Boakai’s presidency, pending endorsement by the House of Representatives and Senate.

Article 32(b) of the Constitution supports the President’s authority to call such sessions in response to national emergencies. It states, “that the President shall on his initiative or upon receipt of a certificate signed by at least one-fourth of the total membership of each House and by proclamation extend a regular session of the Legislature beyond the date for adjournment or call a special or extraordinary session of that body to discuss or act upon matters of national emergency and concern. When the extension or call is at the request of the Legislature, the proclamation shall be issued not later than forty-eight hours after receipt of the certificate by the President.”

The President’s communication to Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and Senate Pro-Tempore President Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence emphasized the critical nature of the proposed legislative agenda, which includes financial agreements, the 2024 National Draft Budget, and the confirmation of key appointments within the targeted 100-day time frame.

“They are so critical that they cannot wait for the return of the Legislature in May,” President Boakai wrote. 

List of Priorities

According to President Boakai, the list of priorities, which he termed as “time-bound, critical national issues that cannot wait on the return of the Legislature in May” comprises five financing agreements and the 2024 National Draft Budget.

The first of these is the financing agreement for the Rural Economic Transformation Project between the Republic of Liberia and the International Development Association to extend to Liberia a credit that is deemed as non-concessional financing to improve productivity and market access for smallholder farmers and Agri-enterprises in project participating counties.

The next is the passage of the National Budget for FY-2024; and the pending nominations for the full sitting of this government within the targeted 100 days’ deliverables, amongst others. The appointment of an Associate Justice to complete the full bench of the Supreme Court and other nominees is also on the card.

“Honorable Speaker, as you may be aware; the above cannot be achieved without the Legislature. The Constitution provides in Article 34 (d) and Article 54 that the Legislature shall have the power to levy taxes, duties, imports, exercise, and other revenues, to borrow money, issue currency, mint coins, and make appropriations for the fiscal governance of the Republic, and the President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint and commission cabinet ministers, deputy ministers.

“The President may adhere to the Articles mentioned supra, but without the Legislature, the process cannot be completed. Honorable Speaker, in consideration of the aforementioned, I trust that the Legislature will adhere to this call and convene in a special session from Monday, April 1, 2024, to Tuesday, April 30, 2024,” President Boakai indicated. “We have to do these in the interest of our nation and its people.”

President Boakai stressed the importance of legislative collaboration in achieving these goals, highlighting the fundamental role of the Legislature in governance and decision-making. The President urged prompt action and cooperation, emphasizing the significance of addressing vital national issues for the benefit of Liberia and its citizens.