Capitol Hill, Monrovia – House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa continues to come under increasing pressure from the Executive to resign as the leadership impasse in the House of Representatives continues to deepen.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh @frontpageafricaonline.com
On Monday Speaker Koffa met with President Boakai, who urged him to resign. However, the Speaker refused, citing a Supreme Court ruling that he claims upheld his position.
The President, in contrast, argued that the Executive has a different interpretation of the ruling and hinted at granting the Majority Bloc’s request to strip Koffa of his immunity, including his security protections.
The Director of the Executive Protection Service, Sam Gaye threatened to recalled the EPS officers assigned with the Speaker Koffa, who according to sources, responded defiantly, saying, “The Executive can go ahead.”
Hours after the meeting, Justice Minister Oswald Tweh presented a legal opinion asserting that the Supreme Court’s ruling favored the Majority Bloc. This opinion was subsequently endorsed by the Senate, which voted to recognize the Majority Bloc’s position.
Despite mounting pressure from the Majority Bloc, led by Representative Richard Koon of the Unity Party, Speaker Koffa remains resolute. The bloc has called on President Boakai to strip Koffa of his immunity and forcefully evict him from the Speaker’s office.
The threat to remove the Speaker’s security details comes after a death threat on the his life.
President Boakai, however, faces growing criticism for what many see as an endorsement of Speaker Koffa’s controversial removal. Critics argue that the President’s actions contradict his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring political stability under his administration.
The tension in the Liberian Legislature has attracted international attention. Diplomatic sources told FrontPage Africa that the ongoing stalemate is under close scrutiny by the international community, particularly due to clashes between legislative factions and security forces at the Capitol.
Domestically, Justice Minister Tweh’s legal opinion has faced widespread backlash, with critics warning that it risks plunging the nation into a constitutional crisis. Many Liberians have expressed alarm over the potential for escalating tensions, calling for dialogue and adherence to the rule of law to resolve the impasse peacefully.
For now, the situation on Capitol Hill remains far from over, and all eyes are on President Boakai as he navigates the delicate balance between maintaining party loyalty, preserving constitutional order, and safeguarding Liberia’s fragile democracy.
