MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Representative Musa Hassan Bility, a member of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s minority bloc, has issued a strong call for calm and adherence to the rule of law amid ongoing tensions in Liberia’s House of Representatives. In a statement released on Sunday, December 8, 2024, Rep. Bility expressed deep concern over reports that members of the Majority Bloc intend to defy the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the House’s leadership dispute.
“Such declarations not only undermine the authority of our judiciary but also threaten the fragile peace and democratic progress we have painstakingly built as a nation,” Bility stated. He emphasized that the rule of law is the cornerstone of democracy, warning that any failure by elected leaders to respect the Supreme Court’s decision would erode public trust in Liberia’s institutions and set a dangerous precedent.
Bility’s statement comes against the backdrop of an intensifying legislative crisis, with the Majority Bloc rejecting Koffa’s authority and pressing forward with budget hearings, despite Koffa’s insistence that such actions are unlawful. The Supreme Court ruled on December 6, 2024, in a case brought by Koffa, but conflicting interpretations of the ruling have deepened divisions in the House.
Addressing the Majority Bloc, Bility appealed for restraint and respect for legal processes. “Disregarding the court’s ruling may seem expedient in the moment, but it risks long-term instability and division that will harm us all,” he warned. “Liberia has endured too much in its history to allow personal or political interests to endanger the hard-won peace we now enjoy.”
Bility further emphasized the importance of constructive leadership during times of political tension. “Leadership is not about defiance for its own sake,” he noted. “It is about finding constructive ways to work within the system for the betterment of all. By respecting the rule of law and engaging in peaceful dialogue, you can set a powerful example for the nation.”
The legislator called on his colleagues to prioritize Liberia’s welfare above political disputes, urging them to preserve peace, strengthen democracy, and build a future where all Liberians can thrive. “History will judge our leaders not by their words but by their deeds in moments like these,” he concluded.
The current standoff in the House has generated widespread concern, with analysts warning that prolonged infighting could disrupt government operations and erode confidence in Liberia’s democratic institutions. Observers continue to urge dialogue and mediation to resolve the crisis and prevent further division.
