Monrovia – The ongoing legislative stalemate in Liberia took a new turn this week as the Rule of Law Caucus, a minority bloc of the 55th House of Representatives, announced its decision to return to legislative sessions despite unresolved disputes. Led by Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility, the caucus said they will uphold the rule of law while seeking resolutions to the issues that have deeply divided the legislative body.
In a press statement, Representative Bility said the caucus had waited in vain for clarity from the Supreme Court regarding its recent rulings on the legislative crisis, prompting the decision to return to sessions. “We have waited for the Supreme Court to clarify its last ruling, but to no avail. Thus, we must take a different approach to resolve our differences through legislative interactions,” he stated.
The Rule of Law Caucus has vowed to address several key issues on the House floor. Chief among them is the contentious election of Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard Koon as Speaker, which the caucus insists is unconstitutional and contravenes established House rules. They also decried punitive actions, including the suspension of minority lawmakers and the withholding of their salaries, as well as the reconstitution of committees without due process. Additionally, the caucus accused the majority bloc of withholding benefits owed to its members despite confirmation that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning had already transferred the funds to the House’s accounts.
Bility reiterated the caucus’ resolve to pursue both legal and legislative measures to restore what they term “constitutional order.” “We remain steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law, which includes taking further legal actions alongside seeking legislative resolutions,” he said. Bility also extended gratitude to the Liberian people for their support, assuring them of the caucus’ dedication to defending the Constitution.
The decision to rejoin legislative sessions comes against the backdrop of a months-long crisis that began in October 2024. The leadership conflict heightened after Speaker Fonati Koffa was accused of financial misconduct, including allegations that his law firm represented entities under the House’s oversight and that he overspent his 2023 office budget by $3 million. The accusations sparked a contentious bid to remove Koffa, with allegations of bribery and procedural irregularities among those who sought to remove him. The anti-Koffa bloc, which now forms the majority, subsequently elected Koon as Speaker, bypassing constitutional and procedural requirements. The Supreme Court’s December 5, 2024, ruling on the matter offered little clarity, with both factions claiming victory and the Executive and Senate aligning with Koon’s leadership.
Adding to the chaos, seven minority lawmakers loyal to Koffa were suspended last month for allegedly undermining the House’s operations blocking those wanting to unseat Koffa access to the House’s main chamber. The suspended legislators—Frank Saah Foko, Eugene Kollie, Zinnah Norman, Alex Sonnyboy Noah, Marvin Cole, Abu Kamara, and Edward Papay Flomo—have since become a focal point of the minority bloc’s grievances. On Monday, January 6, during the closure of a special session, the majority bloc rejected a plea to lift their suspension and reinstate their salaries. The plea, submitted by Montserrado County District #8 Representative Prince Toles, was countered by Margibi County District #5 Representative Clarence Gahr, whose motion led to the outright dismissal of the request.
Monday’s session also witnessed appeals for reconciliation, with Representatives Sekou Kanneh and Thomas Romeo Quiah urging their colleagues to prioritize unity. However, the majority bloc maintained its firm stance, citing the importance of upholding disciplinary measures. The suspended lawmakers are now expected to be excluded from legislative proceedings when the House resumes its regular session on January 13.
Observers note that the decision by the Rule of Law Caucus to return to the Capitol signals a potential opportunity for dialogue, though tensions remain high. Bility, in his first statement as leader of the caucus, expressed hope for a resolution but acknowledged the challenges ahead. “While it is true that we, the 28 members, have not been able to attain quorum to conduct regular legislative business, our colleagues, on the other hand, have also been unable to secure the requisite number of members needed to remove the Speaker or reconstitute committees legally. These actions have been taken without fulfilling the proper legal requirements,” he said.
Bility, upon his election to lead the caucus, struck a conciliatory tone, urging all lawmakers to prioritize national interests over personal agendas. “A crisis in one branch of government weakens the entire system,” he said. “The people of Liberia deserve a government that works in harmony to address their needs and move the country forward. My colleagues have entrusted me with the task of ending this impasse. I pledge to work tirelessly to find a solution without compromising the rule of law. But I cannot do it alone. I ask for your cooperation, patriotism, and love for our country. Let us restore democracy, normalcy, and the people’s confidence in their government.”
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