“55th Legislature Confirms Decision For SONA: Capito Building Will Be Used, Not City Hall”

Monrovia Liberia: The 55th Legislature of Liberia has officially announced that the grounds of the Capitol will serve as the venue for this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), following an arson attack on the William R. Tolbert Joint Chamber on December 18. The Joint Chamber, traditionally the site of the annual address, is currently unavailable due to the incident.

In line with Article 58 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, which mandates the President to present the administration’s legislative programs for the upcoming session and report on the state of the Republic, the SONA will proceed on the fourth working Monday of January. The message will include an update on the country’s economic condition, covering both expenditure and income.

A joint statement from both houses of the Legislature noted that, due to heightened security measures, access to the Capitol Building will be strictly controlled by state security forces on the day of the address. It emphasized that individuals without official invitations or access passes, including legislative staffers, are advised to stay clear of the Capitol premises.

To ensure wide public access to the event, the SONA will be broadcast live across various media platforms, including radio, television, and social media, enabling citizens to tune in from home or their workplaces.

Additionally, the statement highlighted that only media organizations with official accreditation and access passes will be permitted to cover the event. The Legislature affirmed its commitment to receiving President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. on Monday, January 27, for the delivery of his second annual message.