Monrovia – A high-profile delegation from the ECOWAS Parliament arrived in Liberia on Monday to mediate a mounting leadership crisis in the House of Representatives, where tensions have escalated following recent claims of vandalism in the Joint Chambers. The five-member delegation, led by ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, aims to foster dialogue between rival factions within the House and help 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,” said Speaker Ibrahima, emphasizing ECOWAS’ commitment to facilitating a peaceful resolution”.
Prior to her delegation’s arrival, Madam Ibrahima, extended warm greetings to the people of Liberia and stressed recent strides made in the country, particularly the successful transition of power in January 2024. However, she expressed deep concerns over the ongoing political impasse within the Liberian House of Representatives, which she said threatens the stability and security in the region.
In two separate communications to Speaker Fonati Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, Speaker Ibrahima said in light of the fragile political landscape, exacerbated by recent coups in neighboring countries, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, has directed the ECOWAS Parliament to facilitate an immediate parliamentary resolution to the crisis.
In response, Speaker Ibrahima announced that a five-member delegation from the ECOWAS Parliament will travel to Monrovia on November 11 to engage in mediation efforts.
She lived by her words. The delegation, includes two Deputy Speakers and two Representatives, and aims to address the underlying causes of the political stalemate while fostering dialogue among 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 stated in her communication to the Liberian authorities.
The mission, according to the communication, will focus on gathering information about the causes of the impasse, its implications for stability in Liberia, and proposing recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority and the Liberian government.
The Speaker has, however, expressed hope for cooperation from Liberia’s leadership to ensure a thorough and constructive dialogue.
Claims and counterclaims
The delegation’s arrival coincides with heightened tensions between opposing factions. On Monday, lawmakers and staff discovered over 500 chairs uprooted in the Joint Chambers. A FrontPage Africa reporter confirmed that all chairs had been displaced, further intensifying the House’s leadership crisis.
The Joint Chambers, used by both the House and Senate for joint business, has become a focal point of the dispute. A majority bloc of 43 lawmakers, led by Deputy Speaker Fallah, has been holding “sessions” there, despite Speaker Koffa’s objections. The majority bloc, which seeks Koffa’s removal, accuses him of corruption and conflicts of interest, arguing he no longer has their confidence.
In response, Koffa has called these gatherings illegal and sought to halt them through the courts. However, Justice-in-Chambers Yamie Gbeisay ruled against stopping the meetings, further complicating the situation.
In a statement, the majority bloc, led by Rep. Samuel Kogar, condemned the alleged vandalism as an “undemocratic and unacceptable effort” to stifle their mandate from the Liberian people. 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 said.
The Speaker and his group of desperate collaborators have once again demonstrated gross misbehavior behavior 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.
Samuel Kogar (District #5, Nimba County), Chairman, Majority bloc
They expressed their unwavering commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles, asserting their resolve to continue legislative proceedings despite these disruptive tactics.
“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 statement read.
The alleged vandalism coincides with the House’s ongoing modernization campaign, which includes renovations of the main chamber. Speaking to FrontPage Africa, Rep. Prescilla Abram Cooper, chair of the House Modernization Committee, suggested that the uprooted chairs may be part of this project. “I will have to check with them [the workers], but I am sure they are the ones,” she said. “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 will have to check with [the workers], but I am sure they are the ones,” she said. “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 for work on it… I don’t think this has anything to do with the crisis. Why would lawmakers want to destroy property we all need? I don’t believe anyone would be that insensitive.
Rep. Prescilla Abram Cooper (District #5, Montserrado County), Chairperson, Modernization Committee
Rep. Cooper downplayed concerns that the incident would exacerbate the leadership crisis, emphasizing that all lawmakers are aware of the renovation. She highlighted the deteriorating condition of the joint chamber’s dome, which she said needs repair to ensure the safety of lawmakers and visitors. “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 determination to Settle Impasse
Since the leadership crisis began over a month ago, previous mediation attempts, including 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 remains committed to engaging all parties to reach an amicable solution.
I am here to discuss with my brothers and sisters of the House of representatives and those discussion will include the ongoing leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.
Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament
Ibrahima, the first female Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, was elected this year and brings extensive experience to the role. She was electedduring the regional parliamentary body 2024 Second Extraordinary Session in May. Madam Ibrahima was the third deputy speaker of the fifth legislature of the Parliament. After Sierra Leone, the position of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament was zoned to the Togo under Article 24b of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, which provides 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 impasse has paralyzed the House’s operations. Speaker Koffa, backed by 30 members, has been unable to conduct official plenary sessions due to a lack of quorum. The majority bloc, though it holds significant support, has struggled to engage other branches of government in its oversight activities. Consequently, the Executive Branch has postponed submission of the 2025 budget, awaiting clarification on which faction holds legitimate authority.
The ongoing deadlock threatens to disrupt governance, with ripple effects felt across the Executive and Legislative branches. The ECOWAS delegation’s intervention offers a possible path forward, as Liberia’s leaders face pressure to present a united front amid the country’s political and economic challenges.
