By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Monrovia, Liberia — The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has ushered in new leadership following an extraordinary congress held over the weekend, but legal proceedings is said to be hanging over the interim Committee’s activities.
The committee has been summoned to appear before Judge Golda A. Bonah-Elliott of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court of Montserrado, for a conference on Monday, September 23.
The summons stems from a Petition for Declaratory Judgment filed by a group of aggrieved union members who are contesting the interim committee’s legitimacy. The order was delivered on Friday, September 20, citing the committee members to attend the conference at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Despite unpredicted outcome of the Court’s summon, a statement released from the interim committee says it will continue plans for the induction ceremony of officials elected, an event that is scheduled for September 30, 2024.
The elected leaders include Julius Kanubah as President, Beatrice Sieh as Vice President, Akoi Baysah as Secretary-General, and Julius Konton as Assistant Secretary-General.
This transition of power follows a tumultuous period within the union, marked by disputes over the previous election held on November 19, 2022, in Gbarnga, which was annulled by the Resident Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court.
In a ruling delivered on June 18, Judge Boima Konto mandated the formation of an interim committee comprising seven former leaders and four media elders to cleanse the union’s membership rolls and oversee the new elections by October 18, 2024.
As the newly elected leadership prepares to take charge amidst ongoing legal scrutiny, the outcomes of Monday’s conference could significantly impact the direction of the Press Union and its ability to advocate effectively for the rights of journalists in Liberia.
