– As Pro and Anti-Koffa Blocs Remain Adamant on Capitol Hill
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that its recent mediation efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis within Liberia’s House of Representatives have not resulted in a favorable conclusion. Despite successfully convening both the majority and minority blocs for negotiations, the parties were unable to reach an agreement within the timeframe of the mission.
In a statement released following their discussions, ECOWAS acknowledged the challenges faced during the mediation process. “Although it successfully brought both parties to the negotiating table and after several rounds of in-depth discussions with stakeholders on the contending issues, the parliamentary delegation notes that the parties were not able to arrive at a favorable conclusion,” the statement said.
The regional body acknowledged that the ongoing crisis within the House of Representatives has paralyzed the legislative branch of the Liberian Government, hindered the functioning of the Government as a whole, and caused genuine apprehension amongst the resilient people of Liberia.
However, the ECOWAS parliamentary delegation says it remains committed to addressing the issues at stake and will continue its engagement with both sides to facilitate a resolution. They emphasized the need for all involved parties to seek a solution within the legal framework established by the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives.
ECOWAS urged the Members of the House to prioritize the interests of the Liberian people, who have entrusted them with the responsibilities of law-making and oversight. “The Members should work together to unite the country and keep it on the path of peace, development, and progress,” the delegation stated.
The organization reiterated its stance against a political culture that undermines the rule of law, urging the parties, as custodians of the law, to adhere to due process. “While efforts are being made by the ECOWAS Community and its key partners to end this impasse, we express our solidarity with the good people of Liberia and encourage them to remain patient and calm during this challenging period,” the statement added.
Despite the lack of immediate progress, the parliamentary delegation says it remains optimistic about the willingness of the Members of the House to find an honorable resolution that serves the best interests of the Liberian people and the wider community.
ECOWAS Intervention:
In response to the ongoing parliamentary deadlock in Liberia’s House of Representatives, His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the current Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Nigeria, has initiated a mediation and diplomatic mission aimed at resolving the crisis.
Utilizing the mediation powers granted to it by the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of its Powers, President Tinubu tasked the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Right Honorable Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, with leading a delegation to engage with key stakeholders in Liberia. The mission, which took place from November 11 to 16, 2024, involved a team of ECOWAS parliamentarians, including Deputy Speaker Honourable Billay G. Tunkara and Members Honourable Nassirou Bako-Arifari and Honourable Califa Seidi.
Supported by Her Excellency Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, the delegation crafted a comprehensive work program. This included courtesy visits to prominent figures such as President Joseph N. Boakai Sr., Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti. Additionally, the delegation held discussions with key legislative leaders, including Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, representatives from both the “Minority Bloc” and “Majority Bloc” of the House, as well as the Liberian National Civil Society Council.
Throughout these engagements, the parliamentary delegation emphasized Liberia’s historical significance as one of Africa’s oldest parliamentary democracies. The country has shown remarkable resilience and progress in strengthening its democratic institutions, earning respect on the international stage. The recent peaceful transfer of executive power following the November 2023 presidential elections further highlights Liberia’s political maturity and commitment to the rule of law.
However, despite these positive developments, the delegation expressed serious concerns regarding the current state of the House of Representatives. ECOWAS believes that the ongoing impasse poses significant challenges to the legislative process and threatens the overall stability of the government, necessitating urgent and effective dialogue among all parties involved.
