Liberia’s political crisis has taken a troubling turn, with prominent lawyer and former presidential candidate Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe condemning the actions of a group of lawmakers attempting to oust House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Gongloe described their actions as unconstitutional and a serious threat to the country’s democratic stability.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, he criticized the self-proclaimed “majority block” in the House of Representatives, arguing that their efforts to remove Speaker Koffa without securing the required two-thirds majority directly violate the Liberian Constitution. Despite failing to obtain the necessary 49 votes, the group proceeded to elect a rival Speaker in a move Gongloe called a clear defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling on legislative procedures.
“Their conduct is illegal, irresponsible, and an insult to the rule of law,” Gongloe declared, stressing that such reckless behavior tarnishes Liberia’s reputation as Africa’s oldest democracy. He warned that the crisis, if left unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent for future governments.
Beyond the constitutional crisis, Gongloe also criticized the lawmakers’ refusal to engage with ECOWAS delegations seeking to mediate the dispute. He denounced their treatment of respected African diplomat Professor Ibrahim Gambari, calling their actions a national embarrassment. “ECOWAS played a key role in restoring peace to Liberia. It is disgraceful for any group of lawmakers to disregard its mediators in such a rude and dismissive manner,” he said.
He further accused the group of undermining Liberia’s standing in international affairs, warning that the political standoff could weaken the country’s chances of securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council. According to Gongloe, Liberia’s long-standing contributions to global diplomacy and regional stability are being put at risk by the actions of a few reckless politicians.
Despite the unfolding crisis, he remains optimistic that Liberia can correct its course. He called on citizens to demand accountability and reject any attempts to erode democratic norms. “Liberians must not stand idly by while the Constitution is trampled upon. We have fought too for our hard democracy to allow it to be dismantled by those who should be upholding it,” he urged.
