In the heart of West Africa, Liberia’s political landscape is as tumultuous as the waves crashing upon its shores. For over three hundred days, a clandestine coalition of the country’s’ two most potent political entities—the Unity Party (UP) and the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)—has been orchestrating a bid to oust the reform-minded Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fonati Koffa.
The once-promising dawn of a new political era is overshadowed by the shadows of self-interest and the relentless pursuit of power.
Koffa, a figurehead known for his staunch anti-corruption stance and commitment to transparency, threatened the status quo that had allowed the UP and CDC to monopolize Liberia’s wealth for over two decades.
Following the civil war that ravaged the nation from 1989 to 2003, these parties emerged as custodians of a democracy nestled in a fragile peace. Yet, they quickly adapted their methods, mastering the art of financial misappropriation, creating a national budget that seemed less a blueprint for progress and more a vessel for personal enrichment. The very foundation of Liberia’s fiscal policies has become a playground for corruption and greed.
The struggle for power escalated with Koffa’s ascension to the Speaker’s position in January 2023. It was a hard-fought victory, marked by fierce opposition from the UP and even questioning his citizenship. Their desperate attempts to bar him from the Speaker’s election nearly plunged Liberia into chaos, revealing just how far they would go to retain control.
The political rivalry seethed beneath the surface, and Koffa, from the beginning, found himself a marked man—unwanted by the President, reviled by the UP, and targeted by hardliners within the CDC who feared his growing popularity could challenge their own ambitions in the next presidential race.
As Koffa swims the treacherous waters of his speakership, he found himself battling a tide of deceit and betrayal. In March, whispers of conspiracy filled the air as Richard Koon, the Unity Party’s favored candidate for the role, was accused of soliciting lawmakers to unseat Koffa. The specter of a relentless campaign against him took form, but the opulent meeting held in April would prove to be a crucible.
In April, President Joseph Boakai hatched plans to expand his base within the House of Representatives as his ruling Unity Party Alliance sits in minority.
On the Weekend of April 20, the President hosted what his office called “Brainstorming Retreat” with dozens of House members in the hometown of the First Lady in Western Bomi County, nearly 70 kilometers from the capital Monrovia.
Top Unity Party leaders and strategists were party of the Tubmanbury meeting.
The select lawmakers dubbed Rescue Legislative Caucus would primary function as agents of the presidency, create smooth landing for bills from the Executive and woo elected Representatives who are not member of the President’s party, a statement on the official Facebook account of the President’s office said, referencing a certain resolution agreed with the House members.
“In their quest to build support for the Agenda, the parties undertook to enlist colleagues in the Legislature and other segments of the population to embrace the Agenda.
“President Boakai highlighted critical themes in the Agriculture Road Rule of Law Education Sanitation & Tourism (ARREST) Agenda which he said needed to be vigorously pursued by proper messaging and the encouragement of other legislators to support the call of nation building.
“The working session brought together more than 20 members of the House of Representatives as they spent hours deliberating on approaches and methods of pushing key points in the legislative agenda as well as a lineup of other development goals of the Government.
President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda—designed to rejuvenate Liberia’s economy and infrastructure—became a vehicle to solidify their grip on power under the guise of national development. The exclusion of the House leadership from these discussions could only sow seeds of suspicion and mistrust, setting the stage for the estrangement between the Speaker and his colleagues.
By October, the group had gathered over 40 signature of House members, spending nearly to remove the Speaker. Now, Boakai and its CDC collaborators have won and Koffa and legislative reform have lost.
Writes Festus Poquie
