Liberia: As Supreme Court Poised to Rule on House of Representatives Dispute, FPA Examines the ‘Two Speakers’ Saga
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Over a month has handed because the political deadlock erupted in Liberia’s House of Representatives, the place lawmakers below the banner “Majority Bloc” sought to unseat Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Refusing to convene below his gavel, the bloc started holding separate classes within the joint chamber, culminating final Thursday of their declaration of the Speaker’s seat vacant and the election of Rep. Richard Nagbe Koon (District #11, Montserrado County) as their new Speaker.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Speaker Koffa and his allies have condemned the transfer, labeling it unconstitutional. Seeking redress, they filed a petition with the Supreme Court, which subsequently ordered a return to established order ante pending a convention scheduled for November 26. As Liberians anxiously await the courtroom’s historic ruling, FrontPage Africa examines the 2 gavels on the coronary heart of this energy wrestle.
Speaker Koffa’s Gavel
Speaker Koffa has constantly maintained that he stays the reputable chief of the House, arguing that the method to take away him was procedurally flawed. Despite mounting strain, he has vowed to uphold the Constitution and resist requires his resignation.
Elected in January by a slim majority, Speaker Koffa’s management confronted turbulence on October 17 when a gaggle of lawmakers blocked Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah from getting into the principle chamber, accusing him of orchestrating a plot to oust Koffa. At the time, Speaker Koffa was accompanying President Joseph Boakai on an official journey to Italy, together with a historic assembly with Pope Francis.
Upon his return, the Speaker was unable to convene full plenary classes as a result of absence of the bulk bloc, who started holding parallel classes within the joint chamber. Adhering to Rule 12 of the House, which mandates quorum for enterprise transactions, Speaker Koffa has continued assembly in the principle chamber together with his supporters, calling on the Majority Bloc to return and formally current their grievances.
Despite his appeals, tensions escalated when the Majority Bloc declared his seat vacant and elected Rep. Koon as Speaker. In response, Koffa filed a petition with the Supreme Court. Speaking on the matter, he emphasised his dedication to the rule of legislation:
“We have been served with the Supreme Court’s stay order on this important constitutional matter. From the day of our ascension, we pledged transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law. We will uphold the Court’s decision, win, lose, or draw. No more business as usual. The law is the law.”
The Speaker has constantly referred to as on his colleagues to return to session and submit their criticism; he’ll then recuse himself and permit the Deputy Speaker to preside. But his colleagues refused. He fled to the Supreme Court, petitioning Justice-in-chamber Yarmin Gbeisay to cease his colleagues from assembly within the joint chamber however the decide declined.
Despite the decide’s resolution, the Speaker and his minority group proceed to satisfy within the joint chamber. Key supporters together with Reps. Musa Bility (District #7, Nimba County) Ellen Attoh Wreh (District #3, Margibi), Prescilia Abram Cooper (District #5, Montserrado Co.), Emmanuel Dahn (District #7, Montserrado Co.) have all caught by his facet.
In the wake of the newest majority bloc’s newest resolution to declare the Speaker’s seat vacant and instantly elect a brand new Speaker, the Speaker and his colleagues fled to courtroom. They are actually awaiting the courtroom’s verdict. However, the Speaker mentioned he’ll abide by the Court’s ruling.
We have been served with the Supreme Court keep order on this vital constitutional matter. From the day of our ascendance we pledged transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of legislation. We have by no means wavered in that regard even to our personal detriment. As the ultimate arbiter of authorized and constitutional disputes in Liberia, we pledge to respect and uphold the choice of the excessive courtroom on this matter, win, lose or draw. No extra enterprise as standard. The legislation is the legislation.
Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, Speaker House of Representatives.
Speaker Koffa just isn’t alone on this combat. Several lawmakers who had earlier affixed their signature mentioned they weren’t a part of the method as their signatures have been rescinded by notarized affidavits. These embrace Reps. Matthew Joe (CDC< District #3, Grand Bassa), Thomas Goshua (ANC, District #5, Grand Bassa), Prescilla Cooper (UP, District #5, Montserrado), Rep. Bintu Massalay (District #1, Grand Cape Mount), Rugie Yatu Barry (District #1, Montserrado) and Luther Collins (District #2, Gbarpolu County).
Rep. Goshua, in a press convention on Thursday, described the Majority Bloc’s motion as a mockery to democracy and vowed to face with the Speaker.
“We want to officially inform them through this medium that we stand by the Speaker. He is the legitimately elected Speaker, and we will stand by him to defend the constitution, and that whatever issue that they have to remove the Speaker, they should follow the law,” Rep. Goshua mentioned.
Rep. Musa Bility (District #7, Montserrado County), backing the Speaker mentioned, this isn’t only a political wrestle—it’s a combat for the soul of Liberia’s democracy.
“This is not just an institutional issue; it is a moral one. It speaks to the character of those who would jeopardize our fragile democracy in pursuit of their own ambitions. The position of Speaker is not a title to be seized in the dead of night. It is the most visible and critical leadership role in the legislature, and the process of electing a Speaker must reflect the highest standards of fairness and integrity.”
Rep. Koon’s Gavel
In a controversial session held within the joint chamber, Rep. Richard Koon was sworn in as Speaker by the Majority Bloc after Deputy Speaker Fallah declared the Speaker’s seat vacant. Citing Article 49 of the Constitution, the bloc argued {that a} decision was adequate to vacate the seat and not using a vote.
Following his swearing-in, Koon, elevating his left hand through the oath, pledged to steer with a reformist agenda. Addressing his colleagues, he referred to as for a unified effort to strengthen the legislature.
Distinguished Colleagues, reform can’t be achieved by one individual alone. It requires a radical motion—a collective effort that unites us. We invite each member of the legislature to affix us on this journey. Share your concepts, your experiences, and your visions for a reformed and impartial legislature that’s readily conscious of the wants of our folks. Let’s construct an open dialogue the place we will focus on our challenges and have fun our victories collectively.
Richard Nagbe Koon, Majority Bloc’s Declared Speaker of the House of Representatives
Under his gavel, Koon has overseen the reconstitution of committees, declaring Speaker Koffa’s appointments null and void. He has additionally vowed to steer the House towards larger independence and responsiveness to the wants of Liberians.
Before his election by the Majority Bloc, Rep. Koon guided Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah in constituting a number of committees after they declared committees arrange by Speaker Koffa null and void. Under his gavel within the joint chamber, he vowed to steer the House towards larger independence and responsiveness to the wants of Liberians.
Outside the chambers, President Boakai and Ex-President Weah Weigh In
President Boakai and Ex-President Weah Weigh In on Capitol Hill Saga
The ongoing disaster on Capitol Hill has ignited widespread debate throughout Liberia and its diaspora communities. Both President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and former President George Weah have shared their views, providing contrasting views on the unfolding state of affairs.
Speaking on the conclusion of his four-day go to to Sierra Leone, President Boakai downplayed the deadlock inside the House of Representatives, describing it as a routine legislative matter that his administration is supplied to deal with.
“I don’t think you should worry about the situation back home; it is a normal legislative process. This is not the first time such an issue has occurred. We are capable of handling it and ensuring that our country continues to move in the right direction,” President Boakai reassured.
He emphasised Liberia’s resilience and its democratic basis, stating:
“On behalf of our delegation, we want to affirm that Liberia is strong. Liberia is a democratic country, one that plays a leadership role in this region.”
Meanwhile, ex-President Weah has criticized the state of affairs, taking a firmer stance towards the actions of the Majority Bloc, which he described as a menace to democracy.
Speaking at his Forky Klon Church in Paynesville, Weah strongly condemned the actions of the Majority Bloc of their bid to take away Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. He described their actions as an try to undermine democracy.
“They are trying to hijack democracy by removing the Speaker, and this must stop,” Weah declared.
Taking a swipe at President Joseph Boakai, Weah claimed it was unsurprising that Boakai would help what he termed an unconstitutional transfer to unseat the Speaker. He accused Boakai of failing to uphold his constitutional pledge.
He mentioned it’s not unusual that President Boakai is supporting this unconstitutional act as a result of he didn’t recite the pledge to defend and shield the Constitution of Liberia.
Reflecting on Liberia’s previous, Weah warned that the nation’s civil unrest stemmed from actions undermining democracy. He vowed to proceed championing democratic ideas and expressed confidence within the judiciary to make the proper resolution within the matter.
“We have clever people in the judiciary who will do the right thing,” he added, reaffirming his dedication to safeguarding Liberia’s democracy.
‘Rule of Law is Under Siege’
Rep. Musa Hassan Bility, who has taken a powerful stand towards the actions of the Majority Bloc, has urged the Supreme Court to rise to the event in safeguarding Liberia’s democracy. In a poignant Facebook put up, the lawmaker addressed an open letter to the Justices of the Supreme Court, urging them to guard the rule of legislation amidst rising political tensions.
He described Liberia as standing at a “critical crossroads” the place the challenges going through the nation are immense, and the very foundations of democracy are below menace.
“At the heart of these trials lies a question that transcends politics—a question about the endurance of the rule of law,” Rep. Bility wrote.
He emphasised the function of the Supreme Court as the last word guardian of Liberia’s Constitution, stating that the establishment represents equity, impartiality, and justice, serving as a spot the place energy and privilege yield to ideas.
“In times of uncertainty, the people look to their institutions for guidance, stability, and justice. The Supreme Court is not just an institution; it is a symbol of fairness and the rule of law,” he added.
However, Rep. Bility expressed deep concern over what he described as an erosion of public belief within the judiciary, warning that political influences are threatening the independence of the Court.
“But today, the rule of law is under siege. The political currents that shape our daily lives have seeped into the very institutions meant to stand above them. We are witnessing decisions, actions, and rhetoric that erode public trust in the independence of the judiciary. The people are watching, and their faith is waning,” he mentioned.
In his heartfelt enchantment to the Justices, he urged them to behave with braveness, readability, and integrity throughout this pivotal second.
“This is a time for the Court to rise above the fray and reaffirm its commitment to the principles that have guided it through generations. Your decisions will not only shape the immediate future of our country but will also serve as a precedent for generations to come,” he acknowledged.
Rep. Bility highlighted the immense duty of the Supreme Court, noting that their rulings, phrases, and actions have far-reaching implications for justice and public notion. He reminded the Justices of the sacred belief positioned in them by the folks of Liberia.
“Your rulings send ripples through society. They set the tone for how justice is perceived and practiced. We ask you to act with wisdom and integrity to protect the sacred trust the people have placed in you,” he urged.
Acknowledging that politics is an unavoidable actuality, he referred to as for the judiciary to stay neutral and resilient towards exterior pressures or private ambitions.
“To allow the rule of law to falter under political influence is to risk losing the very essence of our democracy,” he warned, emphasizing the necessity for the Court to be a beacon of justice.
Concluding his enchantment, Rep. Bility reminded the Justices that their actions throughout this crucial juncture will outline Liberia’s path.
“This is your moment. History is watching. The people are watching. The decisions you make today will either restore confidence in our institutions or deepen the divide that threatens to consume us. We urge you to choose wisely, to act boldly, and to reaffirm the enduring strength of the rule of law,” he concluded.
As the authorized battle intensifies, the Supreme Court’s impending resolution is ready to form the way forward for the House of Representatives. While Speaker Koffa has pledged to respect the courtroom’s ruling, the Majority Bloc has not responded. No matter who wins, the Supreme Court’s ruling might be pivotal in resolving the management disaster and making certain the steadiness of Liberia’s legislature.
