The delegation is in the Country to mediate the leadership crisis that has engulfed the House of Representatives for roughly a month now.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, November 13, 2024: A high-power mediation delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it has come to Monrovia with no favoritism in settling a political crisis among Liberian lawmakers.
The delegation is in Monrovia to resolve a longstanding political stand-off between embattled House Speaker Fonati Koffa and 43 rebel lawmakers who are seeking to dethrone him.
The ECOWAS Parliamentary Mediators have informed the leadership of the Liberian Senate in a consultative meeting that they come without favoritism to settle the drama at the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, a six-member ECOWAS delegation concluded a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate.
The delegation is in the Country to mediate the leadership crisis that has engulfed the House of Representatives for roughly a month now.
During the briefing with the Senate leadership, the ECOWAS delegation’s Speaker spoke through an interpreter. She explained the importance of dialogue in French.
Briefing the Senate leadership, the head of delegation and speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatu Ibrahima, expressed the ECOWAS Parliament’s warmest gratitude to the Liberian Senate for the hospitality accorded the delegation since its arrival in Liberia.
According to her, the delegation’s presence in Liberia is predicated upon a mandate from the ECOWAS Parliament and the ECOWAS Commission.
She appreciated the Liberian Senate’s leadership for allowing them to interact and discuss.
She further indicated that they are here to listen and hear from the Senate to ease their process of being here.
“We have been instructed to come here today in Liberia in order to seek more clarity about the situation prevailing currently at the House of Representatives.”
“Also, we have come to facilitate mediation between both parties.”
Madam Ibrahima explained that ECOWAS is like a family or, better still, like a human body.
“When a single finger is sick, it’s like the whole body is sick. And it’s our agreement that when one member is sick, we have to care because it’s a general issue,” she explained.
“I would like to say that we come here without any favoritism. We are not also here to give blessings.”
Receiving the ECOWAS delegation, Senate Pro-Tempore and Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence expressed appreciation and gratitude to the delegation for coming.
According to her, this issue at the House of Representatives has the potential of affecting the working of the Liberian Senate in extension, and the Executive.
“For and on behalf of the Liberian Senate, I want to take this time and welcome you to Liberia.”
“We are happy that you are here, and it’s important to us because we are all a part of it.”
Madam Karnga-Lawrence said these are the kinds of dialogue that help with peaceful elections.
“So, we appreciate [it]. We have a bicameral legislature, the Senate and the House of Representatives, with separate rules,” she disclosed.
