Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Wilson
Published on 2024-02-27 11:42:32
In a recent opinion piece published in Monrovia on February 27, a prominent Liberian legal figure, Cllr. SaymaSyrenius Cephus, delved into the extensive powers granted to the President of Liberia under the country’s 1986 Constitution. Cllr. Cephus highlighted the significant authority bestowed upon the President, particularly in the realm of appointing and dismissing public officials without the need for cause, as outlined in Article 56 of the Constitution. This provision grants the President unrestricted authority in governing the nation.
Furthermore, the legal expert underscored that as the head of State and Government, the President possesses exclusive executive powers, detailed in Article 50 of the Constitution. This grants the President the ability to preside over Liberia without hindrance, serving as the sovereign Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Cllr. Cephus emphasized that all cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and other government officials appointed by the President hold their offices at the pleasure of the President, as explicitly stated in Article 56. This provision aims to maintain a cohesive administration by preventing divided loyalties within the government structure. The legal expert argued against the existence of tenure positions for public officials beyond the President’s tenure, asserting that any conflicting statutory provisions must yield to the Constitution’s supremacy.
Drawing a comparison between the President’s appointment of public officials and a lessor-lessee relationship, Cllr. Cephus highlighted the temporary nature of appointments under Article 56. He emphasized that the discretionary power to appoint public officials lies with the President and ceases to exist upon the President’s tenure completion.
The article cautioned against retaining public officials appointed by previous administrations, citing potential challenges in implementing the current government’s agenda. It stressed the importance of political loyalty and alignment with the governing vision to ensure effective governance and minimize conflicts of interest.
Cllr. Cephus reiterated that there are no tenure positions within the scope of Article 56 of the 1986 Constitution, emphasizing the need to align statutory provisions with constitutional mandates. He highlighted the President’s prerogative in appointing public officials as crucial for upholding effective governance in Liberia.
Overall, the analysis by Cllr. SaymaSyrenius Cephus sheds light on the extensive powers vested in the President of Liberia under the country’s Constitution, emphasizing the President’s authority in appointing and dismissing public officials to ensure a cohesive and effective government administration.
Read the original article on New Republic Liberia
