Monrovia, Liberia – Prominent attorney and former presidential candidate Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe has criticized the conduct of a group of lawmakers who are trying to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, marking a worrying turn in Liberia’s political crisis. Their activities are unlawful and pose a major threat to the democratic stability of the nation, according to Cllr. Gongloe.
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, he issued a strongly worded statement criticizing the House of Representatives’ self-declared “majority block,” claiming that their attempts to remove Speaker Koffa without obtaining the necessary two-thirds majority are a clear violation of the Liberian Constitution.
In a motion that failed to garner the required 49 votes, the group elected a rival Speaker. The Supreme Court’s decision on parliamentary processes was flagrantly disregarded, according to Cllr. Gongloe.
Cllr. Gongloe emphasized that such imprudent conduct damages Liberia’s standing as Africa’s longest democracy, calling their actions unlawful, reckless, and an affront to the rule of law. He cautioned that if the situation is not addressed, it may create a risky precedent for governments in the future.
In addition to the constitutional dilemma, Cllr. Gongloe condemned the lawmakers for not interacting with ECOWAS delegates that were attempting to settle the conflict. He called their acts a national shame and condemned their treatment of esteemed African diplomat Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
“ECOWAS was instrumental in bringing peace back to Liberia. He remarked, “It is shameful for any group of lawmakers to treat its mediators with such disrespect and contempt.”
He also warned that the political impasse may make it more difficult for Liberia to gain a seat on the UN Security Council and accused the organization of eroding the country’s reputation abroad. According to Gongloe, the acts of a few careless politicians are endangering Liberia’s longstanding contributions to regional stability and international diplomacy.
Cllr. Gongloe is hopeful that Liberia may turn around in spite of the catastrophe that is developing. He urged people to oppose any efforts to undermine democratic values and demand accountability.
“Liberians cannot watch helplessly while the Constitution is violated. He emphasized, “We have battled too hard for our harsh democracy to let people who ought to be defending it destroy it.
