Africa-Press – Liberia. The Speaker emeritus of the Mano River Youth Parliament Liberian Chapter, Melvin S. Sarh, says they will petition President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to immediately dismiss Youth & Sports Minister, J. Cole Bangalu, if he refuses to stop meddling in the affairs of the Federation of Liberian Youths.
“We want to send this as a caveat to the Ministry of Youths & Sports and the Minister himself that if he continues to meddle in the affairs of FLY, we will petition the President for his immediate dismissal”, he threatened the minister.
The Ministry of Youth & Sports announced over the weekend the appointment of an interim president of the Federation of Liberian Youth following its recent dispute.
“In a decisive move to uphold the continued governance and stability of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the Ministry of Youth and Sports is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Amos Williams, the former President of FLY, as the Interim President. This appointment is effective immediately and is a strategic response to the current leadership vacuum within the organization”, reads a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
According to the Ministry, the decision is grounded in the Constitution of the Federation of Liberian Youth, specifically:
Article 12 establishes interim leadership during periods of constitutional crisis or when a leadership vacuum is evident.
Article 6, Section 2.3, detailing the criteria for membership and the procedural guidelines for leadership succession.
The Ministry maintains that its action aligns with historical precedents established during prior transitions, ensuring continuity in leadership and governance within the Federation.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports urges all national and international partners, stakeholders, youth and student organizations, as well as youth leaders at all levels, to lend their unwavering support to Mr. Williams during this transitional phase. Collaborative efforts are essential to navigating this interim period effectively and to foster a spirit of unity and progress within the Federation”, the statement continues.
The government emphasized that the Ministry is dedicated to facilitating a transparent and orderly transition of leadership, adhering closely to the constitutional provisions governing the Federation of Liberian Youth, stating, “The commitment to nurturing our youth and fostering their involvement in societal development remains a top priority.”
“We trust that with the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we will navigate this phase with integrity and vision, ensuring a bright future for the Federation and its members. Mr. Williams’ mandate is to last for the period of three months.”
But MRUYP former speaker Melvin Sarh said the Ministry of Youth & Sports is in error for instituting an interim leadership at the Federation of Liberian Youth.
He narrates that the Ministry of Youth & Sports is only a member of the board of FLY and, as such, it doesn’t have authority to make decisions by appointing any form of leadership; instead, he notes, it is the FLY board that has such authority.
“The Minister of Youth and Sports is in error to have instituted an interim leadership, on grounds that FLY is not a department within the ministry; instead, it is an institution created by an act of legislature.”
Melvin made these clarifications during an exclusive interview with this paper over the weekend.
He argued that, under the law, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has absolutely no authority over FLY’s functions and activities, as these are created by separate acts of the legislature.
“Now don’t get it wrong; the MYS only coordinates the activities of every youth organization across the country, but to impose an interim leadership in place at FLY, we think it’s interference.”
He argued that, despite the MYS being a member of FLY’s board, it cannot make any decisions; instead, the board is charged with such decisions in the absence of a general assembly.
“Look, if anyone was to decide on FLY regarding the appointment of an interim leadership, it should be the board of FLY and not the Minister of Youth and Sports.”
According to him, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) is acting beyond its scope. “The Federation of Liberian Youth is not a unit or department of the MYS.”
I thought the minister is a lawyer and he should know better? How come he is acting illegally?” He wondered, noting, “Your role is solely advisory, and you cannot go beyond.”
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