On Monday, January 22, 2024, at about 12 noon, Joseph Nyumah Boakai was inaugurated 26th President of the Republic of Liberia, succeeding His Excellency President George Manneh Weah, who presided over the country from 2018—2024. The 55th National Legislature convened its first Joint Session of the 1st quarter of the 1st session to inaugurate the President-elect, Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., and Vice President-elect, Jeremiah K. Koung.
Ambassador Boakai and Senator Koung were elected as President and Vice President on November 14, 2023 in a run-off election.
The Monday’s joint session was done in consonance with Article 50 of the Constitution. Article 50 states, “The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President who shall be Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The President shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms.”
Speaker J. Fonati Koffa served as Presiding Officer for the sole purpose of inaugurating Boakai and Koung as President and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. Representative Julie Wiah of Lofa County’s district #2 proffered the motion to call for the Special Session for the purpose of inaugurating the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
The motion was seconded by Senator Dabah Varpilah of Grand Cape Mount County. Exactly At 12:00 noon prompt, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, administered the Oath of Affirmation to Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai and Jeremiah Kpan Koung as President and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.
Delivering his inaugural speech, President Boakai called for unity among Liberians in order to transform the country.
He said there is no need for partisanship in the country from now on. The Liberian Leader emphasized tackling corruption, and that there will be no more business as usual under his regime as the 26th President.
Immediately after the President speech, a motion to adjourn the Special Session was proffered by Senator Edwin M. Snowe of Bomi County, and was seconded by Representative Siafa Momo Kpoto of Lofa County’s district #3.
The President will on next Monday deliver his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Capitol Hill. The January 29 SONA will be done in accordance to Article 58 of the Constitution.
Article 58 states, “The President shall, on the fourth working Monday in January of each year, present the administration’s legislative program for the ensuing session, and shall once a year report to the Legislature on the state of the Republic. In presenting the economic condition of the Republic the report shall cover expenditure as well as income.”