MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) National Executive Committee has issued a strong condemnation of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and other CDC lawmakers who have defied the party’s directives and aligned against House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. In a press release today, the CDC accused the lawmakers of acting under the influence of President Joseph Boakai’s administration, suggesting that this alliance is a calculated attempt to destabilize the CDC.
“These actions are clearly influenced by the Joseph Boakai government and are intended to destabilize the CDC. These schemes will fail, and the CDC will emerge stronger after all this,” the CDC National Executive Committee stated. Emphasizing its vigilance over the unfolding events, the committee warned that these moves by the anti-Koffa bloc highlight a broader threat to Liberia’s democratic framework.
According to the CDC, the administration’s alleged interference in the House of Representatives is an indication of a trend that undermines Liberia’s constitutional principles of checks and balances. “These developments speak to the wider threat to Liberian democracy, where an overbearing executive interferes with the functions of the other two branches, thereby undermining checks and balances,” the release asserted.
The CDC did not limit its criticisms to the present situation. The statement highlighted what the party describes as consistent undemocratic actions by the Boakai administration, pointing to examples like the disrespect of Supreme Court rulings, arbitrary dismissals of civil servants, human rights violations, and mistreatment of Liberian diplomats deployed during the CDC-led government. These, the CDC argued, are proof of an erosion of democratic norms and a violation of Liberia’s rule of law under the current administration.
Recognizing the limits of political party influence over elected legislators, the CDC acknowledged the challenges in holding its National Legislature members accountable once they assume office. “Under Liberian democratic practices, political parties have limited control over their members elected to the National Legislature, as suspensions or expulsions have no bearing on their seat in the Legislature,” the CDC noted. In light of this, the CDC has called for a national conversation on enhancing political party authority over their legislative members, a measure they say could ensure greater alignment with party policies and principles in the future.
As the party evaluates its next steps, the CDC has called on all partisans to “remain calm and collected” while consultations with stakeholders are ongoing. The committee reassured CDC supporters that the party remains resilient amid the political turmoil and determined to safeguard its place in Liberian politics.
The CDC’s statement comes in response to Fallah’s recent decision to join an opposition group within the Legislature, which has increased pressure on Speaker Koffa, accusing him of mismanagement and obstructing legislative processes. Fallah’s move, unprecedented among the CDC’s high-ranking legislative members, has exposed divisions within the party’s ranks, with some viewing it as a shift in the power dynamics at Capitol Hill under the current administration.
The CDC concluded by reaffirming its commitment to democracy, stating that, “As a party, we will consider our next steps carefully to ensure that our principles and the democratic process are protected. Our resilience in the face of these actions speaks to our dedication to Liberia’s future and the ongoing development of our democracy.”
