MONROVIA – As Liberia remains mired in a tense political crisis, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has intervened with a strong call for peace and respect for the rule of law.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
After a second high-level mission to Liberia month, ECOWAS officials are urging the rival blocs within the House of Representatives to respect the impending ruling by the Supreme Court of Liberia.
This comes after an intense three-day mediation visit that aimed to de-escalate the growing tensions over embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s leadership, which is now at the center of a heated legal and political battle.
The ECOWAS delegation, led by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, arrived in Liberia to address the political deadlock in the legislature. The mission included key figures such as Moudjib Djinadou, Director of Political Affairs at UNOWAS, and H.E. Joao Ribeiro Butiam Co, Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria and ECOWAS. They were supported by a technical team led by Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia; experts from ECOWAS’ departments on democracy, good governance, and electoral assistance.
The core objective of the mission was to encourage the rival factions within House of Representatives to work together for the country’s peace, stability, and democratic progress.
While in Liberia, the Mission engaged with the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, as well as former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Manneh Weah. The Mission also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Sarah Beysolow Nyanti, and senior officials of the ministry. Additionally, consultations were held with key stakeholders, including the leadership of the House of Representatives and representatives of the international community, to address the ongoing impasse in the House of Representatives.
The Mission took note of the various positions presented by stakeholders and urged all parties to prioritize Liberia’s peace and stability. It emphasized the need for collective efforts to foster inclusive socio-economic development and strengthen democracy in the country
In a statement at the conclusion of the mission, Gambari emphasized the importance of respecting the Supreme Court’s forthcoming ruling, calling on all parties to work collaboratively to resolve the impasse.
“In this regard, the Mission urges: President Joseph Nyuma BOAKAI and his predecessors to work closely together to enhance peace, stability and development in the country; All stakeholders to respect the impending ruling of the Supreme Court; All stakeholders to develop a roadmap to promptly end the impasse in the leadership of the House of Representatives; and International stakeholders to support ongoing efforts to find lasting solutions to the current political impasse in the country,” Prof. Ibrahim urged.
The battle for the speakership
At the heart of Liberia’s ongoing political turmoil is the question of Speaker Koffa’s legitimacy. The Majority Bloc in the House of Representatives, which includes several lawmakers who have declared themselves as the majority faction, has been at odds with Koffa’s leadership. The situation escalated when the bloc, in defiance of the Speaker, initiated a parallel legislative session, questioning Koffa’s authority and removed him from office, controversially electing Richard Koon of the ruling Unity Party as ‘Speaker’.
This legal and political standoff has reached the Supreme Court, with the case revolving around a Bill of Information filed by Koffa’s legal team.
The Bill seeks the Court’s intervention to enforce a previous ruling from December 2024, which cautioned against any unlawful actions in the Legislature. Koffa’s lawyers argue that the Majority Bloc’s actions violate the constitutional process for removing a Speaker, undermining both the law and the authority of the Court.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court engaged in a contentious session to hear arguments surrounding the Bill of Information. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh criticized the Majority Bloc for attempting to bypass constitutional procedures in their bid to oust Speaker Koffa.
“Even if your clients are 100 in number, they don’t have the right to impose themselves as the majority bloc,” Yuoh remarked during the proceedings. She further warned that attempting to conduct legislative sessions in parallel could lead to chaos, undermining the Constitution.
The Court’s scrutiny extended to the Majority Bloc’s lawyer, Cllr. H. Varney Sherman, who attempted to justify the bloc’s actions by claiming that they had acted within the law. However, the Justices were unsatisfied with his arguments, pointing out that the actions of the rival lawmakers risked violating due process and destabilizing the country’s political system.
Justice Yusuf Kaba, another member of the bench, emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures, particularly when it comes to removing a sitting Speaker. He clarified that while parliamentary systems may allow for a vote of no confidence, Liberia’s Constitution requires a two-thirds majority and a formal process.
The Court has reserved its ruling for a later date, with a call for heightened security measures in place ahead of the final decision. As the case unfolds, the political tensions in Liberia remain palpable, with both sides awaiting the Supreme Court’s verdict on the matter.
The Speaker of the House plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Legislature, and any disruption to this office could jeopardize the country’s democratic processes. The challenge to Speaker Koffa’s authority raises fundamental questions about the integrity of Liberia’s political institutions and the balance of power within the country’s government.
For Liberia to move forward, it will need political leaders who are committed to upholding the Constitution and respecting the rule of law. ECOWAS’s intervention underscores the importance of resolving political disputes peacefully and constructively, with the well-being of the nation at the forefront of all decisions.
As the country waits for the Supreme Court’s ruling, all eyes remain on Liberia’s political leaders. The path they choose in the coming weeks will determine not just the fate of Speaker Koffa but the future of Liberia’s democratic development and its role within the West African region.
