Liberia: President Boakai Presents Draft Budget to Legislature Amid House Leadership Crisis - FrontPageAfrica

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MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has submitted the draft Fiscal Year 2025 National Budget to the Liberian Legislature, totaling US$851.8 million.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

According to a release issued by the Ministry of Information, the draft budget comprises Core Revenue of US$833 million and Contingent Revenue of US$18.8 million. The ministry noted that the draft financial instrument was presented to the House of Representatives’ Presiding Officer via the Chief Clerk.

The Ministry of Information explained that the draft budget represents a 15.3% increase over the total appropriation of US$738.9 million in the 2024 Recast Budget. It includes allocations designed to address key priorities of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), debt servicing, and other governmental obligations.

President Boakai called on lawmakers to ensure the timely consideration and approval of the budget to enable effective implementation starting in January 2025. The submission aligns with Section 17.1 of the 2019 Amendment and Restatement of the Public Financial Management Act of 2009.

Submission Amid Leadership Crisis

Unlike the usual procedure, the submission of the draft budget is being overshadowed by the ongoing leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. Traditionally, the Ministry of Finance submits the budget physically to the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker’s absence, who then forwards it to the Chief Clerk for inclusion on the plenary agenda.

However, the House has been deeply divided, with one faction—led by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa—occupying the main chamber and another bloc, comprising a majority of lawmakers, convening in the joint chamber presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah.

The leadership standoff has delayed the budget submission, which should have been made by October 31, per the Public Financial Management Law. In response to the delays, President Boakai had written to Chief Clerk, citing the crisis as reason behind the delay and noted he was consulting legal counsel on the appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the law.

Who Received the Budget?

The Ministry of Information’s statement did not clarify which chamber received the draft budget, adding to the confusion. The Chief Clerk, who typically handles such submissions from the Speaker, is reportedly on sick leave. Prior to her absence, she and her deputy Comick Chea attended sessions in the main chamber presided over by Speaker Koffa. However, her deputy has since aligned with the majority bloc in the joint chamber.

In the Chief Clerk’s absence, her deputy may have received the budget. The Majority bloc has earlier stated that every communication to the chief clerk will be presented to them since they are actively conducting the business. They argued that with the number 43, they meet quorum and are legitimately conducting session.

Speaker Koffa Stands Firm

Amid mounting calls for his resignation, Speaker Koffa reaffirmed his stance on Monday, declaring that he would not succumb to pressure. Addressing legislative staff and the press at the Capitol on Monday, he labeled the majority bloc’s gathering as illegal and pledged to uphold the Constitution.

Finance Minister to Address Public

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information announced that Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan will address the public during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism’s regular press briefing on Tuesday, November 19 at 12:00 PM. The briefing is expected to provide more details about the draft budget.

This latest development underscores the challenges facing Liberia’s governance as the Legislature grapples with internal conflicts while handling critical national matters.