Jefferson Koijee, Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), on Thursday, January 9, 2025, extended his congratulations to Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County District #7 following his election as Chair of the Rule of Law Caucus in the House of Representatives. In a statement, Koijee lauded Rep. Bility’s leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the challenges ahead for Liberia’s legislative body.
“I extend heartfelt congratulations to Honorable Musa Bility on his election as Chair of the Rule of Law Caucus, comprising 28 distinguished members of the House of Representatives. His election reflects his colleagues’ trust and confidence in his leadership and commitment to justice, governance, and the democratic progress of Liberia,” Koijee said. He further reaffirmed the CDC’s commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to strengthen the rule of law and wished Rep. Bility success in his important new role.
Rep. Bility’s election on January 4, 2025, followed a recommendation by Speaker Fonati Koffa and marked a pivotal moment for the House of Representatives, which has been embroiled in political division and legislative gridlock. His selection has been seen as a hopeful step toward unity and order in an intense political impasse.
In his acceptance speech, Rep. Bility expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and acknowledged the significant challenges ahead. He emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional principles, ensuring transparency, and fostering a collective vision to address the issues facing Liberia’s legislature.
“The House leadership is at a crossroads, and we must prioritize our constitutional responsibilities above partisan interests. The ongoing impasse is detrimental to the people we represent,” Bility stated. He pledged to lead with integrity and called for reconciliation between opposing factions in the House for the nation’s greater good.
The House of Representatives has been paralyzed by deep divisions, with neither faction able to meet the quorum needed to conduct regular legislative business. This stalemate has hindered governance, weakened oversight functions, and eroded public confidence in the legislature.
Rep. Bility criticized the opposing bloc for failing to meet legal requirements for actions such as removing the Speaker or reconstituting committees. He called for immediate efforts to resolve the divide and restore the House’s functionality.
“The legislative gridlock has left the executive branch unchecked for the past three months, compromising accountability and governance. This crisis must end now for the benefit of the Liberian people,” Bility declared.
Bility also called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and his administration to engage constructively in resolving the crisis. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to meet the nation’s needs and uphold democratic principles.
Koijee, meanwhile, condemned actions that undermine Liberia’s Constitution and democratic processes. He called on CDC-affiliated lawmakers to boycott the upcoming State of the Nation Address, which he described as being organized under the auspices of a “self-imposed Speaker” from the Unity Party.
“We urge the Supreme Court to reject any engagement with Honorable Richard Nagbe Koon, who has unlawfully declared himself Speaker of the House. This undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions,” Koijee asserted.
Koijee appealed to the international community, notably the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, to avoid supporting unconstitutional actions.
Rep. Bility’s election as Chair of the Rule of Law Caucus is crucial to restoring order in the House of Representatives. With his focus on reconciliation, transparency, and adherence to constitutional principles, Bility aims to steer the legislative body toward addressing the pressing issues facing Liberia. As the nation watches closely, his leadership will be tested in resolving one of the most significant legislative crises in the country’s recent history.
