Monrovia, Liberia – Perplexed For the third consecutive session, the House of Representatives failed to meet a quorum, and House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has pledged to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Liberia. The group of lawmakers that support Speaker Koffa’s continued tenure in the top legislative position failed to reach a quorum on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Invoking Article 33 of the Liberian Constitution, he pledged to seek asylum at the Supreme Court of Liberia.
“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,” according to Article 33 of the Liberian Constitution. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives will preside over any joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In an attempt to remove Speaker Koffa, members of the House of Representatives have been holding separate sessions, while his supporters attend meetings under his leadership but without a quorum. Thirty Representatives backed Koffa as Speaker of the House as of Thursday, October 24, 2024. To carry out legislative work, he requires 37 representatives.
Speaker Koffa has adjourned the session for the last three sittings in roll because there was not a quorum to conduct the business of the Liberian people. Lawmakers from Speaker Koffa’s party, the previous ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), are among those involved in this conspiracy to remove him, which started while he was abroad.
Cllr. Koffa has appealed to the Supreme Court for help since he is unable to continue, asking for a writ of mandamus to force the 43 renegade Lawmakers to attend. Cllr. Koffa has presided over parliamentary sessions in which the anti-Koffa bloc has declined to participate.
The Speaker’s team, however, wants the court to step in and end the current political impasse. In order to restore order in the Legislature, the pro-Koffa group expects that the court would step in and stop the absent members from breaking this constitutional duty.
Despite this, the anti-Koffa bloc has stated that it would not give up. The dissident MPs maintain that since the court lacks jurisdiction over their case, they have no fear of it.
Representative James Kolleh of Bong County Electoral District #2 made a proposal during the rebel lawmakers’ meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, requesting that the positions of Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah be declared vacant.
If Fallah and Sayon fail to show up for the anti-Koffa parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Kolleh insisted that these vacancies be announced.
“I move that their seats be declared vacant if Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon do not show up and lead our Tuesday session,” Kolleh stated.
Both sides are engaged in a struggle for control of the House of Representatives, which has halted legislative activity at the Capitol. Supporters of Koffa are still mobilizing to keep the Speaker alive, while the majority group charges him with corruption and poor leadership.
However, the public believes that Speaker Koffa’s efforts to bring about change in the House by demanding an audit to increase openness are somewhat to blame for the majority of his colleagues’ disloyalty.
Little progress is made in Liberia’s ongoing battle against corruption due to opposition. However, the Legislature has protected itself from audits throughout the years. Legal support and political resolve are necessary for any attempt to end this infamous trend.
All eyes are on the Supreme Court to decide whether to step in and force the missing MPs to return and end the deadlock as both sides get ready for a pivotal confrontation on Tuesday.
Reported by: Bridgett Milton
