Former Chief Justice Youh Critiques Boakai’s ARREST Agenda

Monrovia, Liberia: Liberia's immediate past Chief Justice, Sie-A-Nyene Youh, has brought the Boakai-led government's ARREST Agenda under the spotlight, saying the administration's national development plan lacks basic reforms for the Judiciary.

The government's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development represents Agriculture, Road, Rule of Law, Sanitation and Tourism.

Youh said despite the "Rule of Law" being captured as a key pillar under the agenda, the Judiciary is yet to experience meaningful institutional reforms.

The former chief justice believes the judicial branch of government has not been prioritized in terms of infrastructural and human resource development as anticipated.

She pointed to Liberia’s three-judge panel commercial courts and other areas of the justice system that require attention and reform.

According to Youh, reforms cannot be considered successful simply because laws are passed or policies are adopted.

She said their effectiveness must be shown through implementation. Former Chief Justice Youh revealed that the Judiciary was not fully consulted during the formulation of the government’s national development plan.

Speaking Thursday in Monrovia, the former Supreme Court Boss warned that a successful national agenda requires strong coordination among all branches of government.

“It is safe to say here that from my experience, the government does not do the judicial input".

“Had good state coordination and collaboration been pursued on the subject, that document, the AAID, would have incorporated the Judiciary’s five-year strategic plan and its reforms".

“The mere promulgation of a law or policy for reform in any sector is not complete in itself until that law or policy is tested when applied,” Youh said.

Meanwhile, Sie-A-Nyene Youh is now calling for stronger dialogue and collaboration between the Executive and Judiciary, particularly on institutional reform.

She stressed that stronger institutional coordination is necessary to ensure that reforms are not document-based but effectively implemented.

“Coordination and collaboration for a functional government and good governance,” she added.

On the other hand, the government, headed by President Joseph Boakai has repeatedly assured a smooth working relationship across all three branches of government.