MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Liberian writer and social justice advocate, Madam Grace RK Guar, has expressed disappointment over developments within Liberia’s political and judicial systems. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. Oswald Tweh, she criticized his statement suggesting that the Supreme Court’s ruling aligns with the majority bloc, calling it a blow to his credibility.
In her letter dated December 11, 2024, Madam Guar wrote:
“Dear Justice Tweh,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Grace Guar, and I had the privilege of interning at Brumskine Law Firm in 1995, where I briefly worked alongside you before moving on to an internship at LEMASCO with Gyude Bryant. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with a colleague at Subbah/Belleh during that time. Although our paths crossed only briefly, I have always held a positive impression of you, recognizing your integrity and commitment to justice.
I am reaching out to express my disappointment regarding your recent statement suggesting that the ruling of the Supreme Court of Liberia aligns with the majority bloc. I believe this statement has affected your credibility among the common people, and I wonder if you felt compelled to make such a declaration for specific reasons.
As someone who stands with the citizens of Liberia who aspire for a better future, I want to convey my concerns. While I have written articles expressing my skepticism about Koffa’s leadership in the House, I believe the manner in which the majority bloc conducted the recent voting for a new Speaker of the House undermines our democracy.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective. I sincerely hope for a brighter future for Liberia and its people.”
Madam Guar also voiced her disapproval of the election process that led to Representative Richard Koon being recognized as Speaker of the House of Representatives. She emphasized that the decision lacked inclusivity and fairness, particularly because the faction led by Representative J. Fonati Koffa was excluded from the voting process.
“The majority bloc should have included Fonati Koffa’s faction in the voting process. This would have been a fair approach to satisfy the Liberian people. However, as it stands, we the people do not recognize Richard Koon as a legitimate speaker. PERIODTT!!” she stated categorically.
Guar argued that the exclusion of Koffa’s bloc from the process undermines the legitimacy of Koon’s leadership and raises serious concerns about the integrity of Liberia’s democratic governance.
“It’s very important for any legislative process to prioritize inclusivity and fairness. By excluding Fonati Koffa’s bloc from the voting process, the majority bloc undermines the legitimacy of Richard Koon’s role as speaker. This not only raises questions about the integrity of the decision-making process but also risks alienating segments of the population who expect their representatives to be part of a transparent and collaborative governance framework,” Guar asserted.
Madam Guar’s remarks reflect growing concerns among citizens who feel alienated by decisions made without broad-based participation. She called on Liberia’s leaders to prioritize inclusivity, fairness, and collaboration to ensure trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, the legal opinion provided by Minister Tweh, requested by the Executive Branch through the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, led by Hon. Sylvester M. Grigsby, has faced widespread criticism. Some political commentators, supporters, and followers, including some stalwarts of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), have denounced Tweh’s legal interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling as misleading. Notably, the embattled Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, who is at the center of the controversy, is a member of the CDC.
