ECOWAS is like a family; when one part is sick, the entire body suffers,” stated the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, during her visit to the Senate Pro-Tempore in Monrovia. Her visit was part of a mission to mediate the ongoing leadership crisis on Capitol Hill in Liberia. Hon. Ibrahima emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation within the ECOWAS community, highlighting that the regional body’s strength lies in its ability to support its members during times of difficulty. She reiterated ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering
dialogue and finding amicable solutions to internal conflicts, ensuring stability and progress for all member states.
The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, stated: “Today, I had the honor of hosting Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, and her delegation at my office in the Capitol Building, Monrovia.
The meeting was a crucial step in acquainting the Speaker and her team with the ongoing leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.
In attendance were distinguished Senators in leadership roles, including Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Senator Alex Tyler, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Senator Nathaniel McGill, Senator Prince Moye, Senator Momo Cyrus, Senator Dabah Varpilah, and Senator Thomas Yayah Nimely.
Speaking on the matter, the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker emphasized their impartial role in seeking clarity and facilitating mediation. ‘ECOWAS is like a family; when one part is sick, the entire body suffers. We are here with no favoritism, aiming to assist in resolving the issues.’
In response, I assured ECOWAS of the Senate’s cooperation and shared our ongoing efforts to help resolve the crisis while maintaining our role as separate governing bodies with distinct rules.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliamentary Delegation is scheduled to meet with the self-styled ‘majority bloc’ in the joint chambers on Thursday, November 14, 2024. A six-member ECOWAS Parliament delegation visiting Liberia concluded a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday. The delegation is in the country to mediate the leadership crisis that has engulfed the House of Representatives for almost a month now.
Briefing the leadership of the Senate, the head of the delegation and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatu Ibrahima, extended the warmest gratitude from the ECOWAS Parliament to the Liberian Senate for the hospitality accorded to the delegation since its arrival in Liberia. The ECOWAS Speaker, who spoke through an interpreter, said the presence of the delegation in Liberia is predicated upon a mandate from the ECOWAS Parliamentary body and the ECOWAS Commission.
The Speaker of the delegation is in Liberia to seek clarity about the conflict in the House of Representatives and to mediate between the two groups for an amicable solution to the long-standing crisis, which is the overall objective of the delegation.
In a special remark, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude. She informed the visiting delegation that although the Legislature is bicameral with separate rules, what affects the House of Representatives also affects the Senate Chambers, and thus, there is a need for peace in the House of Representatives.
She said the Liberian Senate also has a vested interest in the resolution of the impasse, as evidenced by a recent mediation committee set up by the Liberian Senate. Pro-Tempore Lawrence expressed hope that the committee will report on or before the end of this week.
Other members of the visiting delegation include Hon. Barau J Jibrin, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ballay G. Tunkara, Hon. Nassirou Bako Arifan, and Hon. K Bartin Some, among others.”
