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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: The government is facing criticism from lawmakers over her effort to block a ratified telecom deal, with senators accusing her of compromising the commitment to uphold the rule of law.
Rule of law is one of the several pillars of the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), fashioned out of the need to reposition the country following series of outlandish and anti-rule of law moves by past administrations.
But the Executive glaring attempts to block the TIA-Telecommunication International Alliance Agreement of 2024 are viewed counter-productive to the spirit of the law of the Republic and a rollback of commitments made to the nation.
The controversy centers on a 2024 agreement between the Liberia Telecommunications Authority [LTA] and U.S.-based [TIA], which grants TIA authority to oversee and monitor Liberia’s telecommunications services with respect to all incoming and outgoing calls.
This, the government has moved to halt implementation of the deal, on grounds that there were some irregularities in the agreement. But members of the Legislature say his approach sets a troubling precedent.
Appearing on OK Conversation last week, Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe and Senator Amara Konneh of Gbarpolu county expressed frustration with the Executive’s stance, warning that inconsistent legal interpretations and politically driven decisions are eroding investor confidence and weakening state institutions.
The government has planned to bring new company known as NUMBTEL Liberia.
Senator Snowe pointed to conflicting opinions from the Ministry of Justice on the TIA agreement and questions raised in the Senate about how the deal was processed, including a letter of no objection from the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission that was later challenged.
“At one point, the opinion from the Ministry of Justice said it was wrong. Then another opinion came and said it was right. Then another came again,” Snowe said. “When we personalize things and make it look like for Julius it is prohibited, and for Edwin Snowe it is right, then we have a problem.”
Considering the legal nature of the Agreement, the Senator ruled out any move to de-ratify the Agreement on the basis of feelings or to grant another company the opportunity, saying “you cannot de-ratify a ratified agreement.” There is no provision Liberia’s investment law.
The core of the dispute is the government’s push to “de-ratify” the TIA agreement. Snowe said the Senate rejected the idea, arguing Liberia’s laws do not provide for reversing an agreement already ratified.
“The Liberian Senate said there is nothing in our jurisprudence that allows us to de-ratify a ratified agreement,” he stated. “Once ratified, it carries constitutional protection.” According to him, what can be done is to renegotiate.
He cautioned that overturning ratified contracts outside legal channels would damage Liberia’s reputation in international business and discourage foreign investment.
While acknowledging concerns about how the agreement was executed, Snowe and Konneh said the matter should be settled through legal means, not executive orders.
“If you are not comfortable with a legal document, there are procedures under the law to address it,” Snowe said. “Call the parties, use the clauses in the contract, or go to arbitration. But to just say de-ratify it, that is not something we have done before.”
Snowe also stressed the need to respect institutions regardless of political differences.
“You may not like someone, but you must respect the office. I didn’t vote for the President, but that doesn’t mean I should not respect the presidency,” he said. He noted that investor concerns repeatedly center on “respect for the rule of law.”
During the same show, Snowe said economic advisor nominee Molly Kamara performed well in a Senate hearing but avoided questions on TIA, which he said reflects how sensitive the issue is inside government.
Snowe linked the TIA standoff to past debates over concessions like MedTech, CTN, and Western Cluster, saying Liberia continues to struggle with contract governance and shifting legal positions.
He warned that without consistent adherence to law and due process; the country’s economic reform agenda will remain vulnerable to political conflict.
The TIA disagreement continues to deepen friction between the Executive and Legislature over how contracts are managed and enforced in Liberia.
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