“Wee will Not Attend the SONA” Six Suspended Representatives Face Exclusion

Capitol Hill Liberia As Liberia prepares for President Joseph Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 27, 2025, a growing political crisis is unfolding in the House of Representatives. Six members from the “Rule of Law Caucus” face the possibility of missing the event, amid heightened tensions over legislative independence and recent suspensions.

The House of Representatives has officially suspended Representatives Eugine Kollie, Edward Flomo, Marvin Cole, Alex Noah, Frank Saah Foko, Abu Kamara, and Norman Zinnah for allegedly disrupting legislative functions. A statement from the House urges these suspended representatives to refrain from entering the Capitol Building during the SONA, asserting that their presence is not required during the proceedings.

This move comes at a particularly sensitive time. Representative Prince Toles of Montserrado County District No. 8 has called for reconciliation within the House to address the ongoing impasse, emphasizing the need for unity amidst the growing divide. Meanwhile, the Rule of Law Caucus, led by Nimba County District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility, has declared its intention to boycott the SONA, citing what it views as a severe encroachment on legislative authority by the Executive branch.

The caucus expressed its strong opposition to the Executive’s recognition of Richard N. Koon as the Speaker of the House, despite the continued presence of a legitimate Speaker. The group claims that the Executive’s actions violate democratic principles and undermine the Legislature’s autonomy. “Attending the SONA under such circumstances would amount to tacit approval of this illegitimacy—a position we categorically reject,” the statement read.

Further fueling tensions, the Rule of Law Caucus accuses law enforcement officers of targeting its members, claiming that fabricated evidence is being used to suppress their dissent. In a press statement, the caucus vowed to challenge any such actions in court, emphasizing their commitment to cooperating with authorities only if the process is impartial.

The controversy surrounding the SONA and the suspensions has led to calls for solidarity from other lawmakers, with the Rule of Law Caucus urging both the Senate and their fellow representatives to stand firm in defense of legislative independence. “As lawmakers, our constitutional duty is to uphold the sanctity of the Legislature,” the caucus asserted. “Participating in an event organized by an Executive that flagrantly disregards legislative independence would compromise our integrity and perpetuate this illegality.”

With President Boakai set to deliver his address at 4:00 PM on Monday, January 27, the political standoff within the House of Representatives remains unresolved. The growing division between the Executive and Legislative branches is raising questions about the future of democratic governance in Liberia.