Tuesday, October 22, 2024, marked a significant day in Liberia’s political landscape as the ongoing conflict within the legislature intensified amid efforts to oust Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his position in the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature.
Both pro-Koffa and anti-Koffa factions convened separate sessions, highlighting the deepening divide among lawmakers. Notably, there was a slight increase in support for Speaker Koffafrom female lawmakers, with five women backing his leadership, compared to three who opposed him.
During the pro-Koffa session, several prominent female lawmakers were in attendance, including Moima Briggs-Mensahfrom Bong County District #6, Gbessie Sonii Feika from Grand Cape Mount County District #3, Ellen Attoh Wreh from MargibiCounty District #3, Bintu Massalay from Grand Cape Mount District #1, and Rugie Barry from Montserrado County District #1. Their presence underscored a growing coalition of support for Koffa amidst the ongoing power struggle.
Conversely, the anti-Koffa session saw three female representatives among a larger group of 40 male lawmakers. This faction included Marie Johnson from Grand Gedeh County District #2, Julie F. Wiah from Lofa County District #4, and Priscilla Cooper from Montserrado County District #5. Their participation in the anti-Koffa session reflects the ongoing dissent against the Speaker’s leadership.
The birth of lack of quorum:
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, a group of lawmakers supporting Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa was forced to suspend their session on Tuesday after failing to meet the required quorum to conduct official business. Despite the low turnout, the lawmakers, under Speaker Koffa’s leadership, voted on a motion to either hold a session on every scheduled day or seek legal advice to compel absent lawmakers to attend.
According to the roll call, only 30 lawmakers were present, short of the quorum needed to proceed. Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, who has been accused of co-masterminding the plan to remove Speaker Koffa, remained silent during the proceedings. Earlier in the day, a group of lawmakers opposed to Speaker Koffa held a session in the joint chamber of the Legislature. During their meeting, they voted on a motion to notify the Deputy Speaker that they held a majority and no longer supported Koffa’s speakership. They also wrote to the Deputy Speaker, Chief Clerk, along with her subordinates to appear before them in the next 48 hours.
The communication reads: “By directive of the majority members of the House of Representatives, we write to informyou of a Resolution signed by the majority of lawmakers, which affirms that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has lost the trust and confidence of the majority of House members. By our legislative duty as representatives of the Liberian people, the majority members have invoked the House’s Standing Rules #8 and W12, along with Article 33 of the Liberian Constitution, which states, “A simple majority of each house shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.”
It continues, “As such, a session of the House of Representatives has been duly convened in the Joint Chamber of the Legislature. In line with the mandate of the majority members in the legislative assembly, we hereby invite you to participate in this session to ensure the effective conduct of business on behalf of the Liberian people. Your prompt attendance and adherence to this directive are critical for upholding the constitutional process and ensuring the uninterrupted service of the House of Representatives.”
Speaker Koff’s removal brouhaha began Thursday, October 17, 2024, when some 47 legislators signed and read and resolution that seeks to have him removed as Speaker of the House. In the resolution, the legislators cited multiple allegations of misconduct, conflicts of interest, and administrative incompetence.
