MONROVIA – The ECOWAS Parliament has formally reached out to Liberia’s embattled Speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, proposing a mediation mission to address the escalating political standoff within the Liberian House of Representatives. In a letter dated November 8, 2024, ECOWAS Speaker Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima emphasized the urgency of resolving the crisis, which threatens the recent democratic achievements in Liberia and regional stability in West Africa.
On behalf of the ECOWAS Parliament, Speaker Ibrahima extended greetings to Koffa and the people of Liberia, acknowledging the country’s strides toward peace, security, and democracy. “Liberia has recently recorded some impressive benchmarks in respect of consolidating the gains of the return of peace, security, and democratic systems in the Member State, particularly with the smooth transition of power in November 2023,” Ibrahima wrote. However, she expressed concern that the current impasse could undermine Liberia’s progress and destabilize a region already shaken by recent coups in four ECOWAS member states.
Recognizing the fragility of peace across the region, ECOWAS Chairman and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the ECOWAS Parliament to seek an immediate resolution to Liberia’s parliamentary crisis. Speaker Ibrahima referenced the 2016 Supplementary Act, which empowers the ECOWAS Parliament to promote regional peace, security, and stability, as the basis for the mediation initiative.
The letter announced a planned five-member ECOWAS delegation to Monrovia from November 11, 2024, led by Speaker Ibrahima herself and including two deputy speakers and two floor representatives. This delegation aims to investigate the roots of the legislative standoff, assess its implications for Liberia’s stability, and engage with relevant stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution. “Amongst the objectives of the assigned mission are: to gather the root causes of this impasse at the House of Representatives and its implications on the stability of the Member State,” Ibrahima explained. “To engage with key stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution of this impasse, and to propose concrete recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority, the Liberian Authorities, and all stakeholders.”
In her message, Ibrahima formally requested a meeting with Speaker Koffa to initiate a dialogue aimed at easing tensions within the House of Representatives. “As the central figure related to the impasse at the House of Representatives, I humbly request for an opportunity to have a working visit with you and my delegation to engage in frank and constructive discussions on this pertinent issue,” she wrote, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to secure a stable and amicable resolution.
To facilitate the mission, Speaker Ibrahima noted that Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., head of Liberia’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, would assist in coordinating arrangements for the visit. She expressed optimism that Speaker Koffa would respond favorably to the request, highlighting her hope for “kind cooperation to finding a lasting resolution to the matter.”
The ECOWAS Parliament’s intervention emphasizes the importance of political cohesion within Liberia, both for the nation’s future and for the broader stability of the West African region. As the scheduled mediation mission approaches, all eyes will be on Monrovia to see if this diplomatic effort can bridge the divide and restore legislative harmony in the Liberian government.
