On May 13, 2025, a significant turning point occurred in Liberian politics, marking the end of over seven months of instability and lawlessness in the House of Representatives.
Representative Richard Nagbe Koon defeated Representative Musa Hassan Bility to become the legitimate Speaker of the 55th National Legislature.
Koon had previously taken the speakership by leading a group of lawmakers under the banner of the Majority Bloc to remove former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, which the Supereme Court deemed illegal and unconstitutional. Following Koffa’s voluntary resignation, Koon was required to relinquish the speaker’s position a day before the election in compliance with a recent Supreme Court ruling.
During the election, overseen by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, Koon received 43 votes, while Bility garnered 26 votes. This victory concluded months of intense political discord within the House of Representatives. The Chief Clerk, Mildred Siryon, read Koffa’s resignation letter, and Deputy Speaker Fallah declared the seat vacant, leading to nominations for the speaker’s election with Koon and Bility as the main candidates.
Of the 73 lawmakers, 69 were present for the election, with four absent. Following the election results, Representative Bility acknowledged the loss on Facebook, stating that while they had not won, democracy had been restored to the House of Representatives, benefiting Liberia.
Immediately after his induction, Speaker Koon established a committee tasked with restoring peace, harmony, and stability among members, addressing the months of hostility and violence on Capitol Hill. He expressed his commitment to uniting the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the Plenary of the House of Representatives officially lifted the suspensions of sixteen lawmakers who had previously been barred for thirty session days. This decision was made during the first sitting of the second quarter of the second session.
The reinstated lawmakers include Edward P. Flomo, Abu Kamara, Marvin Cole, Frank Saah Foko Jr., Eugene K.M. Kollie, Zinnah Norman, Alex Sonnyboy Noah, Muka K. Kamara, Jerry Yogboh, Yekeh Kolubah, Dixon W. Seboe, Musa Bility, Samuel Enders, Thomas A. Goshua, Jacob Debee, and Luther Collins.
