Published: February 4, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — Liberia’s House of Representatives plunged into another episode of open discord Tuesday after Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon abruptly adjourned a plenary session amid a heated dispute over a looming eviction around the Camp Ramrod military barracks in Monrovia’s 72nd Community.
The confrontation started when Montserrado County District No. 5 Rep. Priscillia A. Cooper formally petitioned the House for permission to summon senior officials of the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to explain a reported 14-day ultimatum issued to residents occupying land adjacent to the Camp Ramrod installation. The request touched a raw nerve in a Legislature already strained by internal divisions, unresolved questions of authority, and a pattern of disorderly sessions under Koon’s speakership.
Within minutes, the chamber devolved into sharp exchanges, with lawmakers split between those warning of national security sensitivities and those insisting that civilian property rights and legislative oversight could not be subordinated to executive fiat. As voices rose and order frayed, Koon struck the gavel and adjourned the sitting ahead of schedule, leaving Cooper’s communication unopened and the issue unresolved.
The decision immediately drew backlash from several lawmakers, who accused the Speaker of stifling debate whenever matters implicate the Executive Branch or the security sector.
Fear of Eviction, Demand for Clarity
In her communication, Cooper said residents in her district, many of them longtime occupants of the 72nd Community, had approached her with copies of deeds and other ownership documents, insisting their properties were acquired legally. According to Cooper, those residents are now living under the shadow of forced removal following notices allegedly linked to the expansion or reassertion of military control around Camp Ramrod, also known as the AFL’s Ramrod Barracks.
“Several residents of District No. 5 have expressed concern about their continued occupancy of lands near Camp Ramrod, which they maintain were acquired legally and in good faith,” Rep. Cooper told colleagues. “They are now facing the possibility of displacement, creating widespread anxiety among families who stand to lose their homes and livelihoods.”
Rep. Cooper argued that the Legislature has a constitutional duty to ensure transparency, particularly when citizens’ property rights intersect with national security interests. She proposed that the Minister of National Defense and the AFL Chief of Staff be invited to appear before plenary to clarify the legal status of the land, the basis for any eviction notices, and whether the government intends to invoke eminent domain.
Her appeal, however, was met with resistance from some lawmakers who cautioned against summoning security officials over what they described as a sensitive military matter. Others countered that shielding the security sector from legislative scrutiny undermines democratic accountability and leaves affected civilians without recourse.
Gavel Falls, Tempers Flare
As the back-and-forth intensified, Speaker Koon attempted to regain control but ultimately opted to adjourn the session. The move prompted audible frustration on the House floor and sharp remarks directed at the Speaker.
Bong County District No. 5 Rep. Eugene J.M. Kollie was among those who openly criticized Koon, accusing him of routinely using adjournment to suppress debate on issues involving the Executive.
“Now we understand why you referred to yourself as a regime Speaker,” Kollie was overheard saying during the heated exchanges. “Every time matters touching the Executive come up, the gavel is used to silence discussion. We were elected to represent our people, not to shield anyone from scrutiny.”
Other lawmakers echoed similar sentiments privately, suggesting that the Speaker’s action reinforced a perception that the House leadership is unwilling or unable to confront controversial issues — particularly those involving security agencies or politically sensitive land disputes.
Cooper: “This Was Not Political”
Speaking to reporters after the session, Rep. Cooper rejected suggestions that her motion was political or reckless. She said her intent was to ensure due process and prevent arbitrary displacement.
“I am part of this government,” Rep. Cooper said. “If the government intends to exercise eminent domain, there are clear steps under the law that must be followed. Even where land ownership is disputed, the process must be lawful, transparent and dignified.”
She noted that Tuesday marked the final day of the reported ultimatum and said the urgency of the situation compelled her to act.
“These are real people, real families,” she said. “Engaging the security apparatus in an open, respectful forum would help calm tensions and ensure that both national security and citizens’ rights are protected.”
She added that Speaker Koon later indicated a willingness to revisit the matter, though no timeline was given.
A Familiar Pattern of Disorder
Tuesday’s breakdown did not occur in isolation. It followed a series of turbulent House sessions that have raised concerns about Koon’s ability to maintain order and manage divisive debates.
Just months earlier, on Oct. 31, 2025, the House descended into chaos during a session marked by clashes over a controversial anti-homosexuality bill and disputes over stalled district development funds. That sitting also ended abruptly, with Koon struggling to restore order amid shouting matches and eventually expelling lawmakers from the chamber.
In that saga, River Gee County District No. 3 Rep. Johnson Williams petitioned plenary to discharge from committee a bill titled the “Anti-Homosexuality Law of Liberia 2024,” which seeks to significantly expand penalties for same-sex conduct and related advocacy. Koon’s decision to defer the communication ignited fury among proponents of the bill, who accused him of blocking debate on what they framed as a moral issue.
“The House is a place for open debate, not suppression,” Maryland County District No. 2 Rep. Anthony Williams shouted across the floor as lawmakers crowded around the Speaker’s chair.
Despite repeated banging of the gavel, order collapsed. Rep. Williams was ordered out of the chamber, later accusing Koon of silencing elected representatives. “This is the people’s House, not a private office,” he said afterward.
That same session was further inflamed by demands for transparency over district development funds administered by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment. Montserrado County District No. 9 Rep. Frank Saah Foko and District No. 10 Rep. Yekeh Kolubah were both expelled after pressing the issue, turning the chamber into what legislative aides later described as a scene of dysfunction.
Leadership Under Strain
Taken together, the episodes paint a picture of a fragile speakership under sustained pressure.
Koon was elected Speaker in May 2025 with 43 votes, defeating rivals in a contest meant to end months of leadership turmoil following the resignation of former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. At the time, Koon promised unity, discipline and a restoration of the Legislature’s credibility.
Since then, he has floated reformist ideas, including reserved legislative seats for women and persons with disabilities, and has engaged the diplomatic community to rebrand the House as a responsible partner in governance. But critics say those gestures have yet to translate into consistent leadership on the House floor.
Legislative staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Liberian Investigator that structural problems, poor sound systems, and lax enforcement of rules have compounded tensions.
“Every session ends in confusion,” one aide said. “Lawmakers are often yelling across the floor. It’s embarrassing and reflects weak leadership.”
Another staffer said selective handling of issues has bred resentment. “When some topics are fast-tracked and others are shut down, it creates the impression of bias. That frustration explodes on the floor.”
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