By Staff Writer | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has formally summoned the House of Representatives to a Special Session of the 55th Legislature to address what he described as urgent national matters, including the printing of additional Liberian dollar banknotes and the passage of a supplementary budget.
In an official communication dated April 6, 2026, and addressed to Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, the President invoked Article 32(b) of the Liberian Constitution to justify the extraordinary measure. The Special Session is scheduled to run for ten working days, beginning Thursday, April 9, 2026, and ending Thursday, April 23, 2026.
“Pursuant to Article 32(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, I hereby call a Special Session of the 55th Legislature to deliberate and act upon matters of urgent national concern,” the President stated in the letter. The provision empowers the President to convene lawmakers outside the regular legislative calendar to address pressing national issues.
The move follows the adjournment of the Legislature’s first quarter sitting on March 19, 2026, after lawmakers exhausted their agenda, with plans to reconvene in May. However, President Boakai stressed that the gravity of the current issues requires immediate legislative attention rather than waiting for the next scheduled session.
Among the key items outlined for deliberation is a proposal for the printing of additional Liberian dollar banknotes, a decision that is likely to spark debate given Liberia’s ongoing economic challenges and public sensitivity around currency management. The Legislature is also expected to consider the passage of the 2026 supplementary budget, which could redefine government spending priorities amid fiscal pressures.
“These proposals are time-sensitive and cannot await the resumption of the regular session in May,” the President emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the matters at hand. He further expressed confidence that lawmakers would respond promptly to the call in the interest of national stability.
The announcement comes at a time when Liberia continues to face economic constraints, including inflationary pressures and limited fiscal space. The Special Session is also expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to address other unspecified issues of national importance, signaling that the legislative agenda may extend beyond the initially outlined proposals.
