Capitol Hill, Monrovia: The leadership of the Liberian senate has setup a special committee to make reconciliatory intervention in the current leadership scuffle at the House of Representatives involving Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and other members of that august body who are opting to remove him.
According to Senate Pro-tempore Nyonblee Kargna Lawrence, the committee, known as the Senate’s Mediation Committee, will work with the opposing parties at the House of Representatives to find ways to end the impasse in the House of Representatives, which, according to her, could further stall national development if not promptly resolved.
Speaker’s removal saga
On October 17, 2024, 47 members of the House of Representative, calling themselves majority bloc, led by Nimba County District #5 representative, Samuel Kogar, affixed their signatures to a resolution calling for the removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa on multiple allegations, including bribery, conflict of interest and other financial improprieties while serving as Deputy Speaker to present.
Speaker Koffa has denied any wrongdoing. In a Spoon TV podcast, speaker Koffa challenged his aggrieved colleagues to return to session and use legislative proceedings to remove him.
The situation has since sparked thunderous political upheaval on capitol hill as the majority members have refused to sit under speaker Koffa’s gavel, thus forcing the speaker to adjourn session daily for lack of quorum, consistent with article 33 of the 1986 constitution of Liberia. According to article 33 of the constitution, “A simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members.”
The ongoing leadership fracas, according to Pro Tempore Karngar, needs to be quickly resolved to enable the legislature act on the pending 2025 fiscal budget and other critical national instruments.
