But ECOWAS lawmakers reject Koonโs recall of MPs says: โYou cannot command us.โ
Abuja, Nigeria – A communication from the Liberian House of Representatives on the replacement of Liberia’s representatives at the regional organization has been officially accepted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.
The new Representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament are Rep. Moima Briggs-Mensah, Rep. Samson Wiah, and Rep. Augustine Chiewolo, who were chosen by the House of Representatives plenary on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Rep. Moima Briggs-Mensah, Rep. Samuel Enders and Rep. Taa Wongbe, who were previously Liberia’s representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament, will be replaced by these newly elected members.
The Chief Clerk was directed by Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to formally inform the ECOWAS Parliament of the plenary’s decision. The ECOWAS Parliament verified receipt of the information through Hauwa Bello Aliyu. The recommendation has been sent to the Secretary-General for consideration, according to the ECOWAS Parliament’s Committee Clerk. The communication, which was sent on February 27, 2025, clarified that recognition alone does not mean approval. Before reaching a final conclusion, ECOWAS is anticipated to carry out a comprehensive legal assessment.
However, regional MPs have fiercely opposed Liberia’s bid to recall its ECOWAS Parliament representatives, calling the action undemocratic and illegitimate. Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon’s Majority Bloc’s action, according to critics, compromises legislative independence and creates a risky precedent for political meddling in the regional legislature.
During a contentious ECOWAS parliamentary session, Gambian MP Sheriff S. Sarr one of many MPs who became a prominent opponent of Liberia’s decision, bringing the matter to the forefront. Sarr questioned the recall’s validity and cautioned that it goes against the core tenets of democratic representation in the ECOWAS legislature. The removal of embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa, which he denounced as unconstitutional, was the subject of his strongest criticism.
The Speaker has been able to maintain their position pursuant of the Constitution. We should bring our own Speaker and begin hiring our own people if executive orders say no, we shouldn’t allow that here,” Sarr said. He emphasized that the ECOWAS Parliament must continue to function independently of power struggles within member states and warned against national political conflicts coming into the body.
Sarr also denounced Liberia’s effort to overthrow its current legislators by force, saying, “You say they should be out of ECOWAS Parliament based on what? They are elected MPs. It is possible to write for a replacement if they lose their seats. You can’t order ECOWAS to kick out sitting MPs, that’s not right, this is unfair. Fellow ECOWAS MPs have taken his argument, with many seeing the recall as an insult to parliamentary stability and democratic government.
Watch the lawmakers from ECOWAS debate whether to respect the members’ recall.
Video credit: The Liberian Investigator
