MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The House of Representatives (HoR) remains entrenched in a leadership crisis as embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, now referred to as the former Speaker by the Majority Bloc, refuses to relinquish his claim to the Speakership. Despite the Majority Bloc’s assertion that Richard Nagbe Koon, Representative for Montserrado County District 11, is the legitimate Speaker, Koffa has continued to assert his authority, plunging the legislature into an escalating political impasse. The situation has garnered significant public attention, fueled by allegations of corruption, violent protests, and a shocking act of arson.
Koffa, representing Grand Kru County District 2, has vehemently denied allegations of conflicts of interest and corruption, which his colleagues in the Majority Bloc cite as grounds for his removal. Despite these claims, Koffa has vowed not to resign, emphasizing that only due process and legislative proceedings can remove him from office. To address what they perceive as unconstitutional actions by a faction of the House, Koffa and his allies petitioned the Supreme Court. The petition, filed on Thursday, was addressed to the full bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh.
The petition accuses Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and other lawmakers, including Representative Samuel Kogar, of convening unauthorized plenary sessions, suspending lawmakers without due process, unlawfully restructuring statutory committees, and seizing control of the 2025 draft national budget—all in alleged violation of Liberia’s Constitution and the House’s Standing Rules.
Koffa and his allies argue that the respondents convened plenary sessions without the Speaker, who is the constitutionally mandated presiding officer under Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution. According to the petitioners, these sessions undermine the Speaker’s authority and violate House Standing Rule 10, which grants the Speaker exclusive powers to call and preside over sessions.
Article 49 of the Liberian Constitution mandates that the House of Representatives shall elect, once every six years, a Speaker who shall serve as the presiding officer of the body, along with a Deputy Speaker and other necessary officers. The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other elected officers may be removed for cause through a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the House members. Rule 10.1 states that when the office of the Speaker becomes vacant due to removal, death, resignation, inability, or other disabilities, the Deputy Speaker shall act as Speaker until a new Speaker is elected within sixty days. When the Speaker is absent, the Deputy Speaker shall act in accordance with Rules 8.1 and 8.2. In the absence of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a member elected by the House shall preside as ‘Speaker Pro-Tempore.’
Koffa and his allies maintain that no vacancy exists in the Speaker’s office to warrant such actions, and that the Majority Bloc’s conduct undermines the established procedural framework of the House.
However, the Court did not rule in Koffa’s favor. When Koffa approached the Court, claiming that his opposing colleagues had violated the law following the election of Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker, the Court described the Majority Bloc’s actions as “ultra vires” (beyond the legal powers) for the parties involved in the conflict.
The situation became more complicated for Koffa when the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs requested an interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling from the Minister of Justice, Attorney General Oswald Tweh. The interpretation confirmed that the Majority Bloc’s actions did not violate the law or House rules, further weakening Koffa’s position.
The political wrangling has increased into public unrest. On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, a protest under the banner “Concerned Citizens for the Protection of the Constitution and Democracy and the Rule of Law,” led by Janjay Baikpah, stormed the Capitol Hill. The protest, primarily composed of supporters from the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Koffa’s followers, quickly turned violent, resulting in clashes between opposing groups and police.
In the aftermath of the protest, several individuals were arrested, including Sekou Kalasco Damaro, a former aide to ex-President George Weah. Those detained are currently under police investigation, adding to the public perception that Koffa is fueling unrest to maintain his grip on power.
The crisis reached a shocking peak on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, when the Capitol Building was set ablaze. The fire, which followed the violent protests, has deepened the crisis and raised questions about the security of the country’s legislative branch. Authorities are investigating the incident, though the perpetrators remain unidentified.
Meanwhile, the Majority Bloc, led by Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, has continued to assert its dominance. The bloc successfully passed the 2025 National Budget, which was later concurred by the Senate, further solidifying their control over the legislative agenda.
Koffa’s inability to convene sessions or secure a quorum has further weakened his position, with many questioning whether he remains the legitimate Speaker or if his tenure has effectively ended. The Majority Bloc’s ability to govern and conduct legislative business has shifted public perception, portraying Koffa as increasingly isolated.
The House of Representatives’ leadership crisis highlights the deeper divisions within Liberia’s political system, where constitutional legality clashes with political maneuvering. While Koffa emphasizes due process, his inability to counter the Majority Bloc’s legislative strength underscores the fragility of his claim to leadership.
As the country struggles with violent protests, arson, and an ongoing political standoff, the future of Liberia’s legislative governance remains uncertain. The question remains: will Koffa overcome these challenges and reclaim authority, choose to resign, or has the Majority Bloc effectively sidelined him for good?
