MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate has announced a temporary suspension of all legislative submissions to the House of Representatives, pending the resolution of an ongoing Supreme Court case. This decision follows escalating tensions and divisions within the House.
The Senate leadership finalized this move during a recent meeting, refuting public reports suggesting collaboration with the House majority on legislative matters. The Senate clarified its commitment to neutrality, emphasizing that it has adhered to established legal protocols, including routing legislative instruments through the Chief Clerk’s office for communication with the House majority.
Recently submitted legislative instruments include the Seaport Decentralization Act and proposed updates to the Maritime Law, among others. However, these efforts are now on hold as the Senate awaits the court’s ruling on the current impasse in the House.
The Supreme Court’s involvement stems from a legal petition challenging the legitimacy of certain legislative actions taken by members of the “Anti-Speaker Bloc” within the House. In response, the Court issued a writ directing all involved lawmakers to suspend legislative activities and revert to their prior operational state.
The writ, signed by Cllr. Sam Mamulu, Clerk of the Supreme Court, also mandates the Minister of Justice and implicated lawmakers to appear before the Full Bench on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, to file their responses. Until a verdict is reached, all legislative activities in question remain suspended.
The Senate’s decision highlights the growing uncertainty surrounding legislative process, as the Supreme Court’s forthcoming ruling is expected to have significant implications for the governance of the country.
