Liberia: As House Impasse Lingers, US Embassy Weighs In, Calls on Both Sides to ‘Respect Rule of Law’ - FrontPageAfrica

Share
FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterestEmail

As the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives intensifies, the stalemate has not only heightened political tension, but also drawn the attention of the international community. Among those monitoring the developments is the United States Embassy in Monrovia, which has called for a peaceful and lawful resolution.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a statement to FrontPage Africa, the U.S. Embassy emphasized the importance of adherence to democratic principles.

“The United States wants to see Liberia’s political processes play out peacefully and with respect to the rule of law. Liberians expect their leaders to uphold democracy and its practices, to include one that allows for open and transparent political processes and peaceful debate. We urge all parties to maintain peace.  It is important that leaders need to show unity. Violence is never the answer, and it serves no one’s interest; we strongly urge both sides to reach compromise so the important work of the legislature can continue for the Liberian people,” the U.S. Embassy said.

 It continued: “The United States wants to see Liberia’s political processes play out peacefully and with respect to the rule of law,” the Embassy stated. “Liberians expect their leaders to uphold democracy and its practices, including open and transparent political processes and peaceful debate.”

The Embassy further urged all parties involved in the crisis to prioritize peace and unity. “It is important that leaders demonstrate unity,” the Embassy added.

As the U.S. Embassy cautioned all sides, Thursday was full of drama on Capitol Hill. Speaker Koffa and his allies returned to the Supreme Court with a Bill of Information, calling for the actions of the Majority Bloc, including their decision to recognize “purported Speaker Koon,” to be declared null and void. They argued that their actions violate the Supreme Court’s ruling and are unconstitutional.

Koffa also petitioned the High Court to compel Justice Minister Tweh to retract his legal opinion, which he claims misinterprets the Court’s judgment.

He in deliberate and intentional violations and direct contraventions of the Court’s Ruling and Final Judgment, Representatives Koon and Fallah and other Members of the self-styled Majority Bloc have continued to convene and hold unauthorized hearings, including budget hearings, all of which were declared ultra vires and invalided in Your Honors’ Ruling and Final Judgment.

Koffa said the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia, Counselor N. Oswald Tweh, the Government’s Chief Legal Officer, has contributed to the Respondents’ violation of the Court’s Ruling by publicly issuing a legal opinion on December 10, 2024 addressed to the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.

His opinion, Koffa noted that the Minister of Justice falsely asserted that Your Honors’ Ruling and Final Judgment concluded that the sittings, actions and decisions of the Majority Bloc were lawful, the action of the Minister of Justice has further exacerbated the situation.

Koffa and his colleagues are blaming the Minister in that after his opinion, the Executive and the Liberian Senate endorsed the Majority Bloc.

Flexing Majority Muscles

Members of the Majority Bloc, meeting in the Joint Chamber of the Legislature, on Thursday, suspended four additional lawmakers for 30 session days, citing “misconduct.”

The suspended representatives include Frank Saah Foko (District #9, Montserrado County), Eugene Kollie (District #3, Montserrado County), Zinnah Normah (District #3, Lofa County), and Alex Noah (District #3, Gbarpolu County).

The decision, announced during the session, follows the lifting of an earlier hold on their suspension by the House Plenary. The Majority Bloc stated that the lawmakers’ actions were deemed “unbecoming of their status as Representatives.”

Forfeiture of Salaries and Warnings of Expulsion

During the suspension period, the affected lawmakers will forfeit their salaries and benefits for December, January, and February. Additionally, the Majority Bloc warned that their March salaries and benefits could be redirected to government coffers if deemed necessary.

The Majority Bloc also hinted at further disciplinary action. Presiding officer Richard Nagbe Koon suggested that previously suspended lawmakers could face expulsion in January for violating the bloc’s mandate to stay away from the Capitol Building.

However, Rep. Samuel Kogar, Chair of the Judicial Committee, warned against such a move, citing the principle of double jeopardy. He argued that the lawmakers are already serving their suspensions and cannot face further punishment for the same offenses. Koon countered, claiming the mandate to stay away was part of the original motion and should not be violated.

Brewing Political Tensions

This latest suspension follows a similar action against Representatives Marvin Cole (Bong County District #3), Abu Kamara (Montserrado County District #15), and Edward Papay Flomo (Montserrado County District #13). With Thursday’s decision, a total of seven lawmakers are now officially suspended.

In their session, they made several decisions that altered the House leadership and plunged into the House into an acrimonious dispute.

The pro-Koffa group criticized the Majority Bloc’s actions as unconstitutional and warned the ongoing suspensions undermine the House’s credibility.

Reactions and Questions of Fairness

The suspended lawmakers were accused of violating the House rules, mainly obstructing lawmakers from attending sessions. The suspensions have drawn mixed reactions. Critics have raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process, terming the Majority Bloc’s actions as politically motivated.

The suspension of seven lawmakers adds to the heightened tensions and ongoing scrutiny of the House’s leadership, deepening the political divide within the Legislature.

Executive meddling in Legislative Affairs?

Late Thursday, Speaker Koffa disclosed that the Executive Branch has informed him of plans to strip him of his immunity and state security, just days after he reported threats against his life and rejected calls to resign.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Speaker Koffa described the withdrawal of his security detail as an intimidation tactic.

“I have officially been informed that all state security will be withdrawn tomorrow,” Speaker Koffa said in a Facebook post. “These actions from the Executive do NOT change the fact that I remain the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This only further strengthens my resolve to fight for upholding the Rule of Law and the Liberian Constitution.”

Intensifying Power Struggle

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Speaker Koffa and the so-called Majority Bloc in the Legislature, which recently declared his removal as Speaker. Backed by the Executive, the bloc has accused Koffa of corruption and conflict of interest—allegations he has vehemently denied.

Despite the controversial move, Koffa has maintained that his removal was unconstitutional and insists he remains the legitimate Speaker.

Threats Against His Life

The power struggle has taken a dangerous turn, with Speaker Koffa reporting threats against his life just days before the Executive’s plan to withdraw his state security. Analysts and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the potential for political violence amid the impasse.

The Speaker’s refusal to resign has reportedly frustrated the Executive. During a meeting on Monday, President Joseph Boakai urged Koffa to step down, but he declined, citing the Supreme Court ruling he claims validated his position.

In response, the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Sam Gaye, allegedly threatened to recall EPS officers assigned to Koffa. The Speaker reportedly responded defiantly, stating, “The Executive can go ahead.”

Hours later, Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh issued a legal opinion siding with the Majority Bloc, asserting that the Supreme Court’s ruling favored their position. The opinion was endorsed by the Senate, which voted to recognize Representative Richard Koon of the Unity Party as the legitimate Speaker.

Support for Koffa swells

On social media, Koffa’s resilience has garnered widespread praise.

“We’re with you to the end, Hon. Speaker. One thing I know, they can withdraw everything, but not the speakership. Until they can remove you in keeping with the Constitution, you remain the legitimate speaker of our country,” commented Chris Z. Harris.

Another supporter, Frederick Tinisi Nimene, added: “Speaker, don’t resign. By resigning, you will frustrate millions of Liberians who are with you. All power is inherited by the people.”

What Lies Ahead?

As the leadership crisis in the House deepens, questions remain over how the withdrawal of state security will impact Speaker Koffa’s day-to-day operations. The coming days are likely to see heightened political and legal drama, with the Supreme Court’s intervention potentially being a deciding factor in the ongoing impasse.

Liberians are watching closely, as the struggle for control of the House has far-reaching implications for the country’s governance and the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches.