By Festus Poquie
A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Monday as rebel lawmakers, led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, stormed the grounds of the Capitol, resulting in physical assaults on colleagues aligned with House Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The chaos erupted despite a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the rebels’ actions unlawful and illegitimate, exacerbating an already tense political climate.
The armed incursion came as the infighting among lawmakers reached a boiling point, with Fallah and his faction attempting to seize control of the appropriation process for the 2025 national budget, supported by heavily armed police troops.
This aggressive move was made in defiance of legal authority, drawing widespread condemnation from various sectors, including civil society and political analysts.
Critics have pointed fingers at President Joseph Boakai, accusing him of negligence for failing to instruct officials within the Executive branch to conform to the Supreme Court’s ruling. This disengagement has allowed the unlawful bloc within the legislature to operate without repercussion, worsening the instability.
Reports from the scene indicated that officials from the Finance Ministry, accompanied by armed escorts, made their way to the office of Deputy Speaker Fallah for discussions regarding the budget, further fueling tensions.
In a move that many saw as a preemptive strike, the Chair of the House Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration ordered Capitol security guards to deny entry to executive officials without legitimate business, an attempt to thwart the rebels’ illegal budget hearings.
Speaker Fonati Koffa decried the Monday morning assault as a “treasonous plot against the constitution,” calling on President Boakai to uphold the Supreme Court ruling and restrain his officials from participating in the unlawful sessions orchestrated by Fallah’s faction.
Senator Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County vehemently condemned the police’s involvement in this invasion, stating it poses a grave threat to democracy in Liberia. In a bold statement posted on his official Facebook account, he lamented the unprecedented nature of lawmakers facing physical assaults and called for accountability from Police Director Gregory Coleman.
“This invasion of the Capitol constitutes a blatant violation of the separation of powers, undermining the very essence of our democracy,” McGill said.
“Such actions must not go unanswered. I am filing a formal complaint to the Senate Plenary, demanding a full-scale investigation to ensure justice is served and to prevent future violations.”
The political atmosphere in Liberia is increasingly fraught, with the clash between rebel lawmakers and supporters of the Speaker spotlighting the fragility of democratic institutions.
Observers are calling for a robust response to restore order and uphold the rule of law as tensions escalate, exacerbating fears of instability in a region already grappling with longstanding conflicts.
With President Joseph Boakai and his ruling Unity Party collaborating with renegade opposition lawmakers mainly of the Congress for Democratic Change fighting for control of Speakership, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the Capitol, where the future of governance is now teetering on the brink amidst claims of corruption, manipulation, and a desperate struggle for power.
