While sources indicate that the group is open to dialogue—even entertaining an invitation from President Joseph Boakai—there is little optimism that any political engagement before the Court’s decision will yield a conclusive outcome.
Monrovia – As the nation awaits the much-anticipated ruling from the Supreme Court on Wednesday, FrontPage Africa has gathered from multiple sources close to ongoing negotiations that all eyes remain on the judiciary to bring an end to the months-long political standoff surrounding Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s embattled leadership in the House of Representatives.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Amid rumors of backroom dealings and last-minute compromises, insiders confirm that Speaker Koffa and his allies within the Rule of Law Caucus are standing firm: only a clear and authoritative ruling from the Supreme Court can resolve the impasse definitively. While sources indicate that the group is open to dialogue—even entertaining an invitation from President Joseph Boakai—there is little optimism that any political engagement before the Court’s decision will yield a conclusive outcome.
“The Rule of Law Caucus believes the Supreme Court must speak on this matter. Anything else would fall short of the transparency the Liberian people deserve,” one source close to the discussions told FPA under condition of anonymity.
The high-stakes showdown has kept the government in a near-paralytic state for nearly six months, as the dispute over Speaker Koffa’s removal continues to dominate the legislative agenda and public discourse. Some political observers fear that a last-minute political settlement, shrouded in secrecy, would reinforce Liberia’s long-standing culture of “cash-induced” politics, damaging the credibility of Koffa and the caucus he leads.
“There is a real danger that any deal struck behind closed doors will be perceived as another case of pay-to-play politics,” said one political analyst. “Such an arrangement would only further erode public trust in governance and leave Koffa’s reputation bruised—perhaps permanently.”
Nearly two weeks ago, FrontPage Africa learned that President Joseph Boakai requested the Supreme Court to delay its ruling in the ongoing House leadership dispute, in a bid to allow time for continued negotiations between the rival factions in the House of Representatives.
Before the President’s reported intervention, it was widely expected that the Supreme Court would deliver its decision today on the bill of information filed by embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his allies.
The Liberian public has been closely following the crisis, with many calling for a transparent and legal resolution. At the heart of the matter lies not just the fate of one man’s speakership, but the integrity of a constitutional process. Any decision to remove the Speaker of the House—arguably the third most powerful position in the country—must be rooted in law, not driven by political ambition or executive influence, observers say.
“This case is about more than Koffa—it’s about setting a precedent,” said Eric Yeanee, a student of the University of Liberia studying Political Science. “If the Speaker can be removed by backroom dealings and inducements from the Executive, then no future Speaker will be safe from manipulation. That’s a dangerous road to travel.”
The standoff, which has persisted through nearly seven months of political paralysis, underscores the broader dysfunction plaguing Liberia’s governance. Critics argue that the Executive Branch has failed to provide a viable resolution or demonstrate the political will to safeguard constitutional norms.
Still, Koffa’s allies insist that waiting a few more days for a Supreme Court ruling is a small price to pay for long-term institutional stability.
“After nearly seven months of inaction, the country can afford to wait a few more days for the Court to rule,” said a senior member of the Rule of Law Caucus. “Let the law take its course. Let the Court rule.”
Unpaid Salaries Add to Tensions
Compounding the situation is a festering internal grievance: the suspension and withholding of come Rule of Law Caucus members’ salaries and benefits. For the past six months, the Majority Bloc, led by their Speaker Richard Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah has suspended several scores of lawmakers and withheld their salaries and other benefits.
Some of the lawmakers being punished include Representative J. Marvin Cole and Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edward P. Flomo. Members of the Rule of Law Caucus accused the Executive of illegally withholding some of their colleagues’ salaries and benefits as a form of political pressure. According to them, any meaningful negotiations must begin with the immediate payment of those dues.
“The government cannot demand dialogue while punishing lawmakers for standing on principle,” said one frustrated caucus member. “Before any talks, our withheld salaries and benefits must be paid in full.”
While the group maintains that it remains open to an invitation from President Joseph Boakai for talks, insiders say no substantive outcome should be expected before the Supreme Court renders its decision. They argue that a few more days of patience are a small price to pay after nearly seven months of legislative paralysis.
A Test of National Conscience
As Liberia watches anxiously, Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling will mark a critical turning point — not only for the future of Speaker Koffa but for the very principles of transparency, accountability, and rule of law in Liberia’s democracy. For many, it’s a moment that must not be decided by secret handshakes in dimly lit rooms — but by constitutional clarity in the bright light of public scrutiny.
