A high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met with Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 25, to discuss recent developments at the Capitol Building, particularly the leadership transition following a prolonged impasse.
During the meeting, Speaker Koon and lawmakers presented a detailed file outlining the procedural steps that led to the removal of former Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, who represents Grand Kru County’s Electoral District 2. The file also included records of the dissolution and reconstitution of House committees and other legislative actions undertaken since the change in leadership.
The ECOWAS delegation, led by Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, clarified that its visit was not intended to mediate in Liberia’s internal political matters. Prof. Gambari emphasized that Liberia’s challenges could only be resolved by its own people and that external intervention alone could not impose solutions without local commitment.
The delegation also included Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, and Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of Democracy and Good Governance at the ECOWAS Commission, among other officials.
Speaker Koon reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration with all members of the Legislature. He stressed the importance of resolving the legislative impasse to ensure stability and effective governance. He also appreciated ECOWAS’s role in promoting peaceful dialogue and underscored the need for unity among lawmakers to facilitate smooth legislative operations.
The meeting in the Speaker’s office at the Capitol Building reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ dedication to upholding diplomatic protocols and maintaining strong relations with regional and international partners, including ECOWAS, in the interest of good governance and legislative harmony.
