Koffa’s bloc has argued that the executive must act decisively to uphold the country’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Monrovia, November 14, 2024: The leadership of the House of Representatives has urged the Executive Branch of the Government to avoid taking actions that could be perceived as taking sides in a building constitutional crisis.
The faction of the House of Representatives loyal to embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa expressed disappointment on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, over the appearance of some executive officials before absentee members of the House for official business.
“The leadership of the House has expressed deep disappointment over the presence of executive officers at a recent meeting held by absentee lawmakers,” the House said in a release.
As a coordinating branch of the government, the House admonished the executive branch to avoid actions in the building constitutional crisis which is far more consequential than a mere schoolyard dispute.
Koffa’s bloc has argued that the executive must act decisively to uphold the country’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
“We continue to urge our colleagues to resolve this crisis by returning to session and following the grievance procedures as outlined in the House Rules and the Constitution of Liberia,” the House leadership said.
Additionally, the House leadership reiterated its appeal to the executive branch to refrain from supporting or encouraging actions that contravene the Constitution.
The House warned that such actions could endanger the stability of the country’s democracy.
The House noted that “Liberia is our shared heritage responsibility.”
The absentee lawmakers are seeking Koffa’s removal after he announced plans to institute some levels of transparency including an audit of the House of Representatives.
While the absentee lawmakers fail to obtain the required 49 members to oust Speaker Koffa, they have succeeded in stalling legislative functions by holding separate meetings away from the Chambers on session days.
The Speaker and his bloc of 30 lawmakers continue to adjourn each session day due to the lack of 37 Representatives needed to conduct legislative business.
Amid the ongoing crisis at the House, Koffa’s bloc is unhappy that some officials from the Internal Affairs, Water and Sewer and Transport Ministry have appeared before the absentee lawmakers.
The conflict among the members of the House of Representatives has forced President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to suspend the submission of the draft National Budget for the second time as he seeks expert advice on the crisis.
The Legislature has, over the decades, shielded itself from transparency efforts, and efforts to change the notorious tradition need political and legal backing.
Liberia’s Supreme Court has urged the lawmakers to settle the political crisis politically.
