Monrovia, Liberia – As a concerning affront to Liberia’s democratic values, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) has voiced serious reservations over the Justice Minister’s purported misreading of the Supreme Court’s ruling. The ANC strongly condemned Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s recent dismissal, calling it an unlawful conduct that flagrantly violated the House of Representatives’ established procedures.
In a recent press release, the ANC expressed its displeasure with what it sees as a return to historical behaviors that ignored democratic standards in order to pursue narrow political goals. Although the dominant bloc in the legislature has the right to switch its leadership, the party pointed out that such acts must closely follow the rule of law and constitutional standards.
Since a number of legislators accused Speaker Koffa of corruption and conflict of interest in October, the House of Representatives has been involved in a leadership crisis, which he has denied. Referring to themselves as the “Majority Bloc,” legislators started meeting in the combined chamber instead of the main chamber. There, they elected Unity Party Representative Richard Koon as their Speaker and proclaimed the Speaker’s position open. The group dissolved every committee Speaker Koffa had set up and replaced them with new members, among other things.
The ANC also said that the government was planning the Speaker’s dismissal as part of a political revenge, a move that it says harms Liberia’s reputation internationally and calls into question the administration’s legitimacy.
Given its early pledges to save Liberia from bad governance, the ANC says the administration’s actions are especially concerning. The party called the occurrence careless and said that it might lead to a repeat of previous governance errors that have impeded Liberia’s advancement.
The ANC emphasized All well-meaning Liberians must condemn the mission this administration is undertaking. It emphasizes how urgently the three parts of government must be balanced. The ANC urged Liberians and important stakeholders to oppose these changes and promote a system of government based on accountability, fairness, and openness.
Speaker Koffa’s dismissal has generated a great deal of discussion and heightened worries about Liberia’s governance situation, with many wondering what it would mean for the nation’s democracy and institutional stability.
