MONROVIA–Former Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh has slammed President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) failure to address the needs of the Judiciary because the branch was left out of its formulation.
Speaking Thursday, September 10, 2026 at the Central Bank of Liberia’s National Non-Performing Loans Resolution Conference at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Madam Yuoh said the national development plan “did not do the Judiciary any good.”
Madam Yuoh said the AAID was developed entirely by the Executive Branch with inputs from its institutions, but without consulting the Judiciary on its priorities. Yet, she noted, the Judiciary is placed under the document’s Rule of Law Pillar.
“I’m compelled to safely say that, from my experience, the document did not do the Judiciary any good,” she stated. “There should have been proper consultation and coordination with the Judiciary during the development of the agenda.”
She argued that aspects of the Rule of Law Pillar raise concerns about judicial independence, and that the plan lacks “meaningful provisions for the improvement and revamping of the Judiciary.”
The former Chief Justice disclosed that during the formulation of the AAID, she tried to establish coordination between the two branches. She said she initiated meetings between the then Minister of State and the Court Administrator, and also spoke with the Dean of the Cabinet.
According to her, those efforts did not yield results, noting had there been “good faith, coordination and collaboration,” the AAID could have incorporated the Judiciary’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and reform priorities.
She recalled presenting a copy of the strategic plan to the Executive, and noted that development grants and other assistance for the Judiciary are channeled through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
In light of the gaps, Madam Yuoh recommended immediate dialogue between the Executive and Judiciary on issues surrounding the revamping and reform of the courts.
She said such engagement is necessary to ensure that judicial independence is protected and that the branch receives adequate support to deliver justice.
Her comments come as the Boakai administration pushes the AAID as the framework for national development, with emphasis on the Rule of Law, Accountability, and Governance.
The AAID was launched in 2024 as the government’s 5-year development blueprint.
About The Author
