Liberia: ECOWAS Parliamentary Delegation Arrives in Liberia to Mediate House Management Impasse Amid Tensions Over Alleged Joint Chambers Vandalism
Monrovia – A high-profile delegation from the ECOWAS Parliament arrived in Liberia on Monday to mediate a mounting management disaster within the House of Representatives, the place tensions have escalated following current claims of vandalism within the Joint Chambers. The five-member delegation, led by ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, goals to foster dialogue between rival factions inside the House and assist restore unity.
By Gerald C. Koinyneh, [email protected]
“I am here to discuss with my brothers and sisters of the House of Representatives, and those discussions will include the ongoing leadership crisis,” stated Speaker Ibrahima, emphasizing ECOWAS’ dedication to facilitating a peaceable decision”.
Prior to her delegation’s arrival, Madam Ibrahima, prolonged heat greetings to the individuals of Liberia and confused current strides made within the nation, notably the profitable transition of energy in January 2024. However, she expressed deep issues over the continuing political deadlock inside the Liberian House of Representatives, which she stated threatens the steadiness and safety within the area.
In two separate communications to Speaker Fonati Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, Speaker Ibrahima stated in mild of the delicate political panorama, exacerbated by current coups in neighboring international locations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, the present Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, has directed the ECOWAS Parliament to facilitate a direct parliamentary decision to the disaster.
In response, Speaker Ibrahima introduced {that a} five-member delegation from the ECOWAS Parliament will journey to Monrovia on November 11 to interact in mediation efforts.
She lived by her phrases. The delegation, consists of two Deputy Speakers and two Representatives, and goals to deal with the underlying causes of the political stalemate whereas fostering dialogue amongst key stakeholders.
“I humbly request a working visit with you during our mission to engage in constructive discussions that can help us collectively find a resolution to this pressing issue,” ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Ibrahima said in her communication to the Liberian authorities.
The mission, in response to the communication, will deal with gathering details about the causes of the deadlock, its implications for stability in Liberia, and proposing suggestions to the ECOWAS Authority and the Liberian authorities.
The Speaker has, nevertheless, expressed hope for cooperation from Liberia’s management to make sure a radical and constructive dialogue.
Claims and counterclaims
The delegation’s arrival coincides with heightened tensions between opposing factions. On Monday, lawmakers and employees found over 500 chairs uprooted within the Joint Chambers. A FrontPage Africa reporter confirmed that every one chairs had been displaced, additional intensifying the House’s management disaster.
The Joint Chambers, utilized by each the House and Senate for joint enterprise, has turn into a focus of the dispute. A majority bloc of 43 lawmakers, led by Deputy Speaker Fallah, has been holding “sessions” there, regardless of Speaker Koffa’s objections. The majority bloc, which seeks Koffa’s elimination, accuses him of corruption and conflicts of curiosity, arguing he now not has their confidence.
In response, Koffa has known as these gatherings unlawful and sought to halt them via the courts. However, Justice-in-Chambers Yamie Gbeisay dominated in opposition to stopping the conferences, additional complicating the scenario.
In a press release, the bulk bloc, led by Rep. Samuel Kogar, condemned the alleged vandalism as an “undemocratic and unacceptable effort” to stifle their mandate from the Liberian individuals. They accused Koffa’s supporters of orchestrating the act.
“The Speaker and his group of desperate collaborators have once again demonstrated gross misbehavior that has cost them the trust and confidence of the Liberian people. Their actions only further deepen public frustration and distrust. It reinforces the need for a leadership change to ensure the House remains focused on serving the nation’s interests,” the group stated.
The Speaker and his group of determined collaborators have as soon as once more demonstrated gross misbehavior habits that has price them the belief and confidence of the Liberian individuals. Their actions solely additional deepen public frustration and mistrust. It reinforces the necessity for a management change to make sure the House stays targeted on serving the nation’s pursuits.
Samuel Kogar (District #5, Nimba County), Chairman, Majority bloc
They expressed their unwavering dedication to the rule of regulation and democratic ideas, asserting their resolve to proceed legislative proceedings regardless of these disruptive techniques.
“These unlawful actions only strengthen our commitment to upholding the mandate given to us by the Liberian people and restoring trust, honor, and decency to the Honorable House,” the assertion learn.
The alleged vandalism coincides with the House’s ongoing modernization marketing campaign, which incorporates renovations of the primary chamber. Speaking to FrontPage Africa, Rep. Prescilla Abram Cooper, chair of the House Modernization Committee, advised that the uprooted chairs could also be a part of this venture. “I will have to check with them [the workers], but I am sure they are the ones,” she stated. “The dome over the joint chamber was a hazard, and reconditioning it is part of the contractual agreement. Since nothing was damaged, I believe they’re setting up scaffolding to work on it.”
I must examine with [the workers], however I’m positive they’re those,” she stated. “The dome over the joint chamber was a hazard, and reconditioning it’s a part of the contractual settlement. Since nothing was broken, I consider they’re establishing scaffolding for work on it… I don’t suppose this has something to do with the disaster. Why would lawmakers wish to destroy property all of us want? I don’t consider anybody could be that insensitive.
Rep. Prescilla Abram Cooper (District #5, Montserrado County), Chairperson, Modernization Committee
Rep. Cooper downplayed issues that the incident would exacerbate the management disaster, emphasizing that every one lawmakers are conscious of the renovation. She highlighted the deteriorating situation of the joint chamber’s dome, which she stated wants restore to make sure the security of lawmakers and guests. “I don’t think this has anything to do with the crisis,” she added. “Why would lawmakers want to destroy property we all need? I don’t believe anyone would be that insensitive.”
Speaker Ibrahima’s willpower to Settle Impasse
Since the management disaster started over a month in the past, earlier mediation makes an attempt, together with efforts by the Senate Pro-Tempore’s committee led by Sen. Gbehzohngar Findley, and the Liberia Council of Churches, led by Rev. Samuel Reeves, have been unsuccessful. Despite these setbacks, Speaker Ibrahima stays dedicated to partaking all events to achieve an amicable resolution.
I’m right here to debate with my brothers and sisters of the House of representatives and people dialogue will embrace the continuing management disaster within the House of Representatives.
Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament
Ibrahima, the primary feminine Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, was elected this yr and brings in depth expertise to the position. She was electedduring the regional parliamentary physique 2024 Second Extraordinary Session in May. Madam Ibrahima was the third deputy speaker of the fifth legislature of the Parliament. After Sierra Leone, the place of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament was zoned to the Togo below Article 24b of the Supplementary Act regarding the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, which supplies that “the position of Speaker shall be allocated to Member States by the Authority in line with an established rotation system based on the alphabetical order of States.”
What’s at Stake?
The deadlock has paralyzed the House’s operations. Speaker Koffa, backed by 30 members, has been unable to conduct official plenary classes resulting from a scarcity of quorum. The majority bloc, although it holds important help, has struggled to interact different branches of presidency in its oversight actions. Consequently, the Executive Branch has postponed submission of the 2025 finances, awaiting clarification on which faction holds reputable authority.
The ongoing impasse threatens to disrupt governance, with ripple results felt throughout the Executive and Legislative branches. The ECOWAS delegation’s intervention affords a potential path ahead, as Liberia’s leaders face stress to current a united entrance amid the nation’s political and financial challenges.
