Capitol Building – Days after his formal resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, Representative of Grand Kru County Electoral District #2, has officially informed the plenary of his intention to take a medical leave and conduct constituency engagement for a period of two months.
In a letter submitted during the 2nd day sitting of the 2nd quarter of the 55th Legislature, Koffa requested to be excused from legislative sessions during the period of his absence. He cited medical reasons and the need to reconnect with his constituents following the political crisis that engulfed the House over the past several months.
The request comes on the heels of Koffa’s active participation in the 1st day sitting of the 2nd quarter, where he attended the session that elected Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as the new Speaker. That election followed weeks of legislative paralysis and controversy, with Koffa at the center of a constitutional standoff between rival blocs in the House.
Koffa’s resignation brought an end to a fierce power struggle that began with an unsuccessful impeachment effort in late 2024. Though the Supreme Court ruled in December that the impeachment attempt was unconstitutional and reaffirmed Koffa’s position, political tensions continued to mount, worsened by President Joseph Boakai’s alignment with the Majority Bloc.
In his final days as Speaker, Koffa emphasized his commitment to peace and institutional stability. His resignation came with specific conditions, including the full restoration of salaries and benefits for lawmakers and staff whose compensation had been withheld during the standoff. He also agreed to step down in accordance with House rules, paving the way for Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah to temporarily assume leadership and preside over the speakership election.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf played a behind-the-scenes role in mediating the impasse, using her diplomatic influence to bring both sides to the table. Her involvement was key in facilitating Koffa’s peaceful exit and the orderly transition that followed.
Koffa cited several reasons for stepping down, including the executive’s failure to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling, the potential for legislative instability, and the personal toll the crisis had taken on his staff and constituents.
As he now takes a two-month break, both for health and to reconnect with the people of Grand Kru, Koffa’s future political intentions remain unclear. However, his decision to step away from national leadership for now marks a reflective pause after a turbulent chapter in Liberia’s legislative history.
