Liberia: Speaker Koffa Embraces ECOWAS Mediation Team’s Six-Point Resolution - FrontPageAfrica

Share
FacebookTwitterLinkedInPinterestEmail

Monrovia – Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa, has welcomed the six-point proposal crafted by the ECOWAS mediation team to resolve the ongoing stalemate in the Liberian Legislature.

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

In a letter addressed to Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Speaker Koffa expressed his commitment to the resolution, emphasizing its importance for restoring order and unity in the House.

Speaker Supports ECOWAS Plan

The Speaker stated that the leadership of the House of Representatives, acting in good faith, has made substantial concessions to ensure a swift resolution to the crisis. He described the ECOWAS-crafted six-point proposal as the best pathway to ending the impasse and pledged his commitment to its full implementation.

“The Leadership of the House of Representatives, acting in good faith, made substantial concessions in order to end the impasse within the shortest possible time,” the Speaker said. “We are committed to its full implementation.”

Rejection of Majority Bloc’s Actions

Speaker Koffa, however, rejected the actions of the Majority Bloc, arguing that they do not align with constitutional order. He cited Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution, which mandates that the Speaker is the presiding officer of the House, elected every six years. According to him, it is unconstitutional for the Deputy Speaker to preside over the House when the Speaker is present and available.

He warned that allowing such a precedent would create confusion and potentially lead to a dual-chamber system within the House. “At no time does the Constitution give concurrent jurisdiction to a Deputy Speaker to preside. To allow that would mean any group of lawmakers, who happen to be in excess of 37, could summon the Deputy Speaker on any matter and make a decision,” he said.

Majority Bloc’s Position

Earlier, that Majority Bloc, chaired by Hon. Samuel G. Kogar (District #5, Nimba County), announced their acceptance of five of the six recommendations. However, they rejected the return to the main chamber, citing the Supreme Court’s recognition of the Joint Chamber’s legitimacy under Article 66 of the Liberian Constitution.

However, addressing claims of legitimacy by the Majority Bloc, Speaker Koffa clarified that the Supreme Court has not granted constitutional recognition to their actions. He explained that the Justice in Chambers declined to issue a writ of prohibition on the alleged removal of the Speaker after the Majority Bloc stated that they had only submitted a complaint against him.

“It is the full bench of the Supreme Court that rules on constitutional matters, and the Justice in Chambers did not and could not give constitutional recognition to the ‘Majority Bloc,’” he emphasized.

Call for a Return to the Main Chamber

Speaker Koffa reiterated that legislative sessions must be conducted in the main chamber of the House of Representatives, as designated since the inception of the 54th Legislature. He urged the Majority Bloc to return to the ECOWAS proposal, which he described as the best way forward.

“In view of the foregoing, we urge the ‘Majority Bloc’ to return to the six-point ECOWAS negotiating proposal… as the best way to end the impasse and return to the status quo ante for the benefit of the Liberian people,” the Speaker stated.