Africa-Press – Liberia. The plenary of the Liberian Senate, under the leadership of Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, is losing public trust and relevance in national debate and strategic direction.
Our reporter covering the Senate says the decline is attributed to the prioritization of Consultative Meetings initiated by the Pro-Temp, and to the persistent lateness and lack of seriousness among senators during plenary sessions.
According to our reporter, since Senator Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa County assumed leadership in January 2024, the Senate plenary has devolved into a mere formality, lacking robust debate. Key decisions, discussions, and agreements are now settled during Consultative Meetings in the Pro-Temp’s office prior to the official session out of the public glare.
According to Senate rules, plenary sessions should begin at 10 or 11 am. However, under Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence’s administration, sessions often commence as late as 1:45 or 2 pm.
Upon taking office, Karnga-Lawrence abolished the Special Executive Session—a move backed by Montserrado County Senator Abraham D. Dillon, arguing that such sessions, previously held in the office of former Pro-Temp Albert T. Chie, diminished the importance of the plenary and undermined substantive debate and decision-making.
However, Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence has replaced the Executive Session, which she condemned, with Consultative Meetings, where senators gather in her office for breakfast and hold private discussions lasting three to four hours before entering the main Senate chamber for the plenary.
Observers note that during plenary sessions, decisions appear orchestrated, with pre-determined motions and agreements—raising concerns among journalists and independent observers that the true spirit of Senate debate is being undermined.
For example, after one Consultative Meeting, it is alleged that the Senate agreed that Senator Amarah Konneh would move for the passage of the national budget. Similarly, Senator Albert Chie moved to approve the Ivanhoe and TotalEnergies deals.
Our reporter says when another senator disagreed, Chie reprimanded that Senator, stating that dissent was not part of the agreement reached in the prior Consultative Meeting.
Frustratingly, even opposition senators rarely voice their dissatisfaction on the Senate floor—especially after participating in the Consultative Meetings, which are catered by a woman known as Sundayway.
As a result, senators who disagree with outcomes typically leave the Consultative Meeting and hold press conferences in their offices to register dissent, since decisions made in the meeting are binding and expected to be enforced by the plenary.
Meanwhile, the Senate press bureau has yet to explain the persistent delays and the rationale for holding Consultative Meetings in the Pro-Temp’s office.
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