The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a clarion call for an end to the culture of constitutional disregard in Liberia, as the nation grapples with a draining political crisis within its House of Representatives.
The parliamentary mediation and diplomacy mission, led by Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, concluded its two-week engagement on November 16, 2024, without resolving the ongoing stalemate that has paralyzed the legislature.
The impasse has been fueled by a faction of House members rebelling against Speaker Fonati Koffa with the support of influential figures such as Vice President Jeremiah Koung. These legislators oppose Koffa’s anti-corruption reform initiatives amidst criticisms regarding a lack of transparency, with the House of Representatives remaining un-audited for over four decades.
ECOWAS’s mission highlighted the pressing need for adherence to the constitution and due process to restore functionality to the legislature.
“The Members of the House of Representatives should work together to unify the country and keep it on the path of peace, development, and progress,” the delegation urged, echoing concerns expressed by local stakeholders including President Joseph N. Boakai and Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh.
According to ECOWAS, the prolonged crisis poses significant risks to governance and threatens public confidence in Liberian institutions. The disruptions undermine legislative functions and could stymie the nation’s recovery following its recent successful presidential elections in November 2023.
Despite extensive negotiations, the ECOWAS mission could not broker a resolution, with discussions hampered by disputes over the legitimacy of actions taken by Koffa and the rebelling Majority Bloc, including decisions pertaining to the relocation of legislative sessions to a joint chamber.
Reiterating its commitment, ECOWAS reaffirmed its position that all actions taken must align with the 1986 Constitution and the House’s Rules of Procedure. “ECOWAS discourages a political culture that is not anchored in the rule of law,” the delegation emphasized, appealing to lawmakers to prioritize the interests of their constituents, who have entrusted them with the mandate of governance.
