– Liberian Women call for calm on Capitol Hill
By: Jerromie S. Walters & G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
A group of women under the banner of the “Women of Liberia” on Thursday, October 24, 2024, called on the House of Representatives to ensure that the peace of the nation is maintained. With fear of ruining the peace, the women stated that they are troubled about what is happening at the National Legislature. They called on the House of Representatives to ensure that peace rain. “We are troubled and dissatisfied about the manner and form in which things are proceeding at the National Legislature specifically, the House of Representatives.”
The group’s spokesperson, Betrace D. Johnson urged while interacting with the Speaker, “If someone is supposed to remain in their seat for some time, let them remain to lead and when their time is over to leave then they can leave. Violence is not our solution. Violence is not the solution to this thing that is happening today. Let us look at the past. We don’t want war, we want peace and we want it now.”
Speaking to the Women Voices Newspaper, Korpo K. Dennis stated that the House of Representatives is unfair to the ordinary people who suffered to help sustain and maintain peace. Dennis: “Other Countries are watching what is unfolding in Liberia and it is unfair to the ordinary people especially those who suffered to help sustain and maintain over 20 years of uninterrupted peace of the land.
Korpo K. Dennis stressed, “We expect them to set the example because they are the highest decision-making body of the Country but the way in which they are doing things, we are not pleased.” She asserted that the happenings in the Legislature may cause uncertainty over Liberia’s peace, and it may mainly affect the women and children something. She does not pray to happen due to the country’s ugly past.
In furtherance, she urged lawmakers who are opting to remove the Speaker to respect the laws and not to be involved in acts that have the propensity to cause violence amongst the people. She added that they will continue to advocate till the right thing is done for the future of every Liberian. “We will continue our advocacy until the right thing is done for our children. We beg them to govern us well and not to fight over power,” she emphasized.
Koffa lacked quorum again:
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, as Speaker J. Fonati Koffa was forced to adjourn the session for the second time due to a lack of quorum. With only 30 members present, the session could not proceed. Speaker Koffa assured that the leadership of the House would take steps to address the attendance issues affecting legislative business.
However, another legislator, Montserrado County District #10 Representative Representative Yekeh Kolubah indicated that the body (HoR) may seek intervention from the Supreme Court to resolve the ongoing quorum challenges. Among those present at the pro-Koffa legislative engagement was Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah who has been an Ultimatum.
Standing his ground:
House’s Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has vowed not to bow to what he described as “old tactics or maneuver of the removals of former Speakers”, by not resigning or recusing himself. He argued that he could only be removed by 49 lawmakers, the requisite number for the removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
This is consistent with Chapter Five, Article 49 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia which states that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other elected officers can be removed from office for cause by a resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of the House members. The current crisis has left the House divided with both the pro and anti-Koffa bloc hosting separate legislative engagements.
Some 47 members of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature on Thursday, October 17, 2024, read a resolution to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa from his position at the grounds of the Legislature. In the resolution, the legislators cited multiple allegations of misconduct, conflicts of interest, and administrative incompetence.
