Yuoh Blasts ARREST Agenda Over Judiciary
By Samuel Flomo, Jr.
Former Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, has delivered a sharp criticism of the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Justice Yuoh argued that the government’s flagship development framework has failed to adequately address the needs of the judiciary.
She said, the national development agenda: “did not do the judiciary any good,” raising serious questions about the level of consultation, and attention given to the third branch of government during the formulation of the policy.
Justice Yuoh: “Although, the judiciary is captured under the ARREST Agenda’s Rule of Law Pillar, the document does not contain meaningful provisions to improve, strengthen, and revamp the judicial system.”
Her criticism represents a challenge to the government’s development strategy, particularly its commitment to strengthen the rule of law, and institutions responsible for administering justice.
Justice Yuoh argued that the judiciary was not adequately consulted during the development of the ARREST Agenda, despite its constitutional importance, and direct connection to the rule-of-law objectives.
She said, efforts to establish coordination between the judiciary, and the executive branch during the formulation of the agenda did not produce the desired results.
She maintained that stronger collaboration between the two branches could have allowed the judiciary’s priorities to be incorporated into the national development framework.
In particular, Justice Yuoh said, the judiciary’s five-year strategic plan, and other reform priorities could have provided a stronger foundation to address longstanding challenges confronting the justice system.
Justice Yuoh meanwhile, called for renewed dialogue between the executive, and judiciary, emphasizing the need for cooperation to revamp, and strengthen the judicial sector.
She made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, at the Central Bank of Liberia’s National Non-Performing Loans Resolution Conference held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
