Liberia: Senators Blame Executive for Legislative Staffers’ Protest

Two Senators have placed blame on the Executive Branch for the ongoing protest and dissatisfaction among Senate staffers. Senator Conmany Wesseh of River Gee County stated that the Senate has not received payment for the two instances in which President Weah recalled them to session.

However, he emphasized that the protesting legislators may be unaware that lawmakers have not been compensated for these recalls. Senator Wesseh mentioned that he has been personally covering the cost of his gasoline, and his office staff understand this reality and are not inclined to join the protests.

He clarified that, according to the law, the Executive did pay for the two sessions, but due to the challenging economic situation, the payment may have been delayed. The Senator briefly discussed the complexities of whether funds for extraordinary sessions should cover legislative staff salaries, expressing his belief that it should, even if the law does not explicitly address it.

The Senator made these remarks during an appearance on Spoon Talk on January 5, 2024, and highlighted that efforts are being made by him and some of his colleagues to calm the Senate staffers.

Regarding nominations made by President Weah, Senator Wesseh stated that as long as the nominee is qualified, he would vote in favor, given the President's constitutional right to appoint individuals.

However, he acknowledged that if the Unity Party, of which he is a member, opposes a nomination, he must adhere to party discipline.

Senator Wellington Geevon Smith of Rivercess County also addressed the matter during his appearance on Spoon Talk recently. He confirmed that the Senate had not been paid for one of the two sessions they were recalled to by President Weah. Smith highlighted the mistake made by the President in recalling the legislators through a proclamation, which legally obligates the Executive to pay for two months.

He said that in the past, the President negotiated with the Legislature for recalls to be made at no cost, but since this was not the case for the recent recalls, the Executive should fulfill its responsibility.

Senator Smith reiterated that the funds in question are lawful and not at the discretion of the lawmakers themselves. He affirmed that the legislators were satisfied with receiving their full salaries for each recall, even if the sessions lasted only around 10 days, emphasizing that the framers of the law understood the purpose behind it.

The Rivercess lawmaker emphasized that this was his first time benefiting from funds intended for recall sessions since his election in 2020. He noted that the previous recall was carried out through negotiation with the Senate leadership at no cost to the Executive.

Meanwhile, the Capitol Building has been closed since January 2 due to sustained protests by Legislative Staffers demanding two months of salaries and benefits for the recalls.

The protesters have blocked the entrance to the building, disrupting legislative activities. They have accused the Senators of insensitivity towards their well-being and have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are addressed.

The Senate staffers have called for the President of the Senate, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, as well as the Senate Pro-Tempore Albert T. Chie and the other Senators to resolve their pay issue before they end their blockade. As a result, legislative work, including the confirmation hearings for nominees, has been affected.

The President of the Legislative Staffers Association, Charles Brown, has stated that the gates will remain closed until their demands are met and that no work will be conducted until the salary arrears and benefits are paid, including the confirmation of nominee Samora Wolokolie as LRA Commissioner General and nominee Frank Musa Dean as Associate Justice.