As Liberian President George Manneh prepares to hold a retreat of the Executive and Legislative branches of government this weekend, a ranking Liberian Senator, Nyounblee Karnga has branded the country’s parliament as a “compromised Legislature”.
State radio, ELBC reported on Tuesday that President Weah has invited lawmakers to a two-day retreat at the Famington Hotel hear the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County on Friday and Saturday to discuss national issues aimed at moving the country forward.
Returning to the Capitol from a vacation after burying her late husband, former Montserrado County Representative Adolph Lawrence on Tuesday, Grand Bassa County Senator Karnga said that some Lawmakers were being manipulated by the Executive, citing the recent “illegal” impeachment of former Associate Justice Kabinah Ja’neh.
“We are at a very critical stage in this country; when the Senate took the decision to carry out an unconstitutional impeachment of the Justice of the Supreme Court, we send out a sign that the Judiciary is not independent. It also showed that the legislature has been compromised,” Sen. Karnga said.
The Grand Bassa County Senator, who is also political leader of the opposition Liberty Party (LP) said this amounts to lawlessness, something that is undermining the country’s young democracy.
Speaking at a welcome program at the Capitol Building and being flanked by Montserrado County’s newly elected Senator and Vice Chairman of LP, Mr. Darius Dillon, Sen. Karnga indicated that the recent Montserrado By-elections was a demonstration of the people’s power.
“These by-elections in Montserrado County showed us leaders that our powers have been taken away from us by the people. They are telling us that they will take the lead to restructure this country by bringing on board the right people.”
Exactly what the upcoming retreat will do to ease the cult of the Presidency and what some political observers call the presidential manipulation of the leadership of the Legislature is yet to be seen.
Domestic Violence Bill signed into law
Meanwhile, President Weah, has signed into law the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) passed recently by the National Legislature, the Executive Mansion has said.
On July 19, the Liberian Senate concurred with the House of Representatives in passing the Act which was introduced during the term of the 53rd Legislature.
It comes into full force when printed into handbills by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a press release from the Presidency, the signing of the DVA into law by the President comes amid growing violence against women and children and entrenched gender inequality practices. By and large, the law will promote gender equality, women and children protection amongst other things.
The Act makes domestic violence, which includes physical or mental abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a serious crime against the individual and society.
Appending his signature, the Liberian leader hailed stakeholders and foreign partners, as well as the National Legislature, for efforts put into developing the Domestic Violence Bill which has now become law.
He said the days of domestic violence perpetrators are numbered because the DVA will be fully and appropriately enforced under his leadership.