A six-member ECOWAS Parliament delegation visiting Liberia today concluded a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate. 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 warmest gratitude from the ECOWAS Parliament to the Liberian Senate for the hospitality accorded 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 an overall objective of the delegation.
In a special remark, Senate Pro-tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to the delegation. She informed the visiting delegation that although the Legislature is a bi-camera one with separate rules, what affects the House of Representatives also affects the Senate Chambers, as such, there was a need for peace in the House of Representatives.
She said the Liberian Senate also attached similar interest in the resolution of the impasse as evidenced by a recent mediation Committee set up by the Liberian Senate. ProTempore Lawrence said she hopes 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, amongst others.
