Published: November 20, 2024
MONROVIA – A faction within the House of Representatives, which has pledged not to sit under the gavel of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, has taken possession of the draft national budget for 2025 and is forming parallel committees to conduct budget hearings independently of existing committees.
In an unusual move on Monday, the Executive Branch addressed the draft national budget to the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives—who was absent—and directed the Senate’s copy to the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate. The Deputy Clerk received the draft budget on behalf of the Chief Clerk and subsequently presented it to the breakaway faction.
The FY2025 draft national budget was due for submission on October 31, 2024, in line with the Public Finance Management Law. However, the Executive sought and was granted an extension until November 8. On November 6, the Executive informed the Chief Clerk that it was seeking legal advice on submitting the budget, citing the ongoing impasse in the House of Representatives. The deadlock has resulted in a majority bloc of lawmakers holding separate sessions and demanding Speaker Koffa’s resignation. Notably, this group includes the Deputy Speaker.
The President’s decision drew criticism from Senator Augustine Chea, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chea argued that bypassing Speaker Koffa and addressing communication to the Clerk undermined the Speaker’s authority. “The Presidency is now directly involved in a constitutional conflict by overlooking the Speaker’s authority,” he asserted. “Not submitting the budget to Speaker Koffa is a direct affront to the rule of law.”
Speaker Koffa, facing mounting pressure from the “majority bloc,” firmly stated on Monday that he would not resign. Addressing legislative staff and the press at the Capitol Building, Koffa maintained that his tenure is governed solely by the Constitution and the rules of the House.
“The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia and the rules of the House of Representatives will guide all our proceedings in this matter,” Koffa declared. He dismissed the calls for his resignation as politically motivated and unconstitutional. Criticizing the bloc, he characterized their actions as “non-legislative” and described their gatherings in the joint chamber as mere exercises in freedom of association. “Resignation is a voluntary act, and rest assured, I will not yield to any majority bloc,” Koffa said. “This nonsense where groups of people, either under inducement or otherwise, make unconstitutional demands must stop.”
Meanwhile, the breakaway lawmakers have appointed new leaders to key legislative committees. Representative Mike Jurry of Maryland County District #1 has replaced ousted Representative Dixon Seboe as Acting Chair of Ways, Means, and Finance. Representative James Kolleh of Bong County District #2 now serves as Acting Chair on Rules, Order, and Administration, taking over from Marvin Cole. Additionally, Representative Prince Koniah of Bong County District #1 has assumed the role of Acting Co-Chair of the Public Accounts and Audit Committee, replacing Representative Dorwon Gleekia.
The majority bloc has also suspended three lawmakers—Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edward P. Flomo, District #14 Representative Abu Kamara, and Bong County District #3 Representative Marvin Cole—citing alleged misconduct. These lawmakers, who are supporters of Speaker Koffa, face a 30-day suspension that includes forfeiture of salaries and legislative benefits. The suspension decision, made unanimously by the majority bloc with three abstentions, also prohibits them from accessing Capitol grounds during this period. The bloc has since welcomed two new members into its fold.
Legal experts are divided over the President’s handling of the situation. Some argue that Speaker Koffa remains the legitimate Speaker until constitutionally removed, and the President’s actions were a misstep. Others contend that the breakaway group, as the majority, possesses the quorum needed to conduct legislative business.
Reacting to the developments, the House Leadership, under Speaker Koffa, issued a strongly worded statement: “It is not surprising that the absentee lawmakers, constituting themselves as a so-called majority, with the aid and comfort of the Executive, have engaged in a series of unlawful measures. The reconstitution of Ways, Means, and Finance is a violation of Rules 54.1 and 54.2. The arbitrary and callous suspension of members who were duly elected is a violation of Rule 9, as interpreted by the Supreme Court (see Isaac Nyenabo v. Senate and reinforced in Kolubah v. House of Representatives). The House is now proceeding on a dangerous, slippery slope, buoyed by the artless acquiescence of the Executive. A sad day for Liberia.”
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