MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Deputy Speaker Thomas F. Fallah stands at the center of a growing political storm in Liberia’s House of Representatives as the Majority Bloc pushes to oust Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Today, Thursday, October 24, 2024, Fallah is expected to make a crucial decision on whether to join his colleagues in the effort to unseat Koffa, who has been accused of conflict of interest and faces a vote of no confidence.
The Majority Bloc, composed of rebel lawmakers, has called on Fallah—who, like Koffa, hails from the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)—to join them in their bid to remove the Speaker. To succeed, they need a two-thirds majority, or 49 votes, out of the 73 elected members of the House. On Tuesday, October 22, the group gathered 43 members in a separate chamber and voted to summon Fallah for today’s crucial session. They warned that if he fails to attend, they will move to remove him from his position as Deputy Speaker.
The showdown comes as Fallah faces immense pressure from both sides—his choice could tilt the balance of power in the House. With Speaker Koffa’s support dwindling to just 29 lawmakers, the outcome of today’s proceedings could mark a turning point in the leadership of Liberia’s legislature.
Fallah’s decision carries significant weight, as he has so far remained non-committal, creating uncertainty within both camps. His choice to either side with the Majority Bloc or remain aligned with Speaker Koffa could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the internal dynamics of the House but also for his political future within the CDC. Many observers believe that Fallah’s stance could either reinforce the growing dissent against Koffa’s leadership or provide the embattled Speaker a lifeline to maintain his position. With the stakes high, today’s session could set the stage for a major shift in Liberia’s legislative leadership.
