Monrovia, November 25, 2024/The Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) agrees with the Supreme Court of Liberia in calling for the return to the status quo ante in the matter involving members of the House of Representatives (Majority and Minority blocs).
PAL, the umbrella organization of newspapers and online magazines in this country, issued a statement over the weekend expressing concern about the unfolding events at the National Legislature, the first Branch of Government.
The heads of media groups noted that the prolonged standoff between the majority and minority blocs has affected legislative functions and state governance.
PAL acknowledges the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of justice in the land and calls on all parties to respect its decisions and the rule of law.
PAL calls on its members and all media institutions to avoid inflaming the already fragile situation, as doing so has the potential to undermine the security of the state and our fragile democracy.
The PAL statement follows a Supreme Court stay order issued over the weekend, asking all parties to the House dispute to return to the status quo ante—that is, back to October 15.
The stay order also follows the replacement of the embattled House Speaker Fonati Koffa on Thursday November 21, 2024, by ruling UP lawmaker Richard N. Koon on white ballot as new Speaker of the House.
Koon is Montserrado County District#11 Representative, who lost the race for the speakership to Cllr. Koffa during the inception of the 55th Legislature in January.
