Liberia: Presidential Transitional Team in Full Swing

President-elect Joseph Boakai has named members to the Joint Presidential Transitional Team (JPTT), which will ensure a smooth transition from the outgoing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government to the incoming Unity Party regime. The constitution of the team aligns with Executive Order #123 recently passed by President George Weah.

The team, tasked with facilitating the smooth transfer of power, is set to commence its functions within 48 hours after the official declaration of the President-elect by the National Elections Commission (NEC). Last Tuesday, President Weah issued a Presidential decree ordering the formation of a Joint Presidential Transitional Team (JPTT) to oversee the "smooth transfer of power" following the declaration of Joseph Boakai as the winner of last week's presidential run-off.

Boakai was declared the winner last Monday after the National Electoral Commission released the last set of results from Tuesday's voting. Weah was quoted in a statement issued by the Executive Mansion, stating that he ordered the setting up of the Transition Team by the power and authority vested in him by the country's constitution. This requires the incumbent administration to "develop a system of appropriate protocols and mechanisms" for the smooth transfer of power after every election.

According to the statement, the committee will be co-chaired by President Weah and President-elect Boakai. Other members already appointed include key cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Defense, and Presidential Affairs. Boakai was invited to designate 20 persons to the committee, according to the decree. It also states that both President Weah and the President-elect may choose to designate people to represent them as co-chairs of the committee in their absence.

The President-elect, speaking at the Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed his team members during a joint meeting with President Weah's team. He designated the Vice President-elect to act as Co-Chairperson in his absence, overseeing all affairs of the JPTT and conducting meetings. Additionally, Mr. Amos Tweh has been appointed to serve as a member of the Secretariat, joined by Clir. Cooper Kruah and Mr. Amara Konneh.

The President-elect has also designated 20 prominent Liberian citizens to the JPTT, ensuring diverse perspectives in the transition process. The appointed members include Lusinee Kamara, Louise Kpoto, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, MacDella Cooper, Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo, Samuel Kofi Woods II, Dr. Augustine Konneh, Boima Kamara, Rev. Luther Tarpeh, Darbah Vapilah, Edward Appleton, John Morlu Jr., Sam Gaye, Mr. Sahr Johnny, Noah Zawu Gibson, Sara Beyslow Nyanti, Amara Konneh, Gemie Horace-Kollie, Wilmot Paye, and Jacob Smith.

The JPTT, established by President George Manneh Weah through Executive Order 123, is co-chaired by the Incumbent President and the President-elect. Flexibility was granted to President-elect Boakai to designate a representative in his absence, ensuring the continuous and efficient functioning of the team.

Decisions within the JPTT will be made by consensus, with any disagreements to be resolved jointly by the Incumbent President and the President-elect. The team's mandate will cease upon the publication of the Final Report, ensuring the completion of the transition no later than 48 hours before the Inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect.

"Decisions of the JPTT shall be made by consensus, and any disagreements shall be resolved by the Incumbent President and the President-Elect, acting jointly," the statement said. The new President is expected to be inducted into the office on January 22, 2024.