The Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) has expressed support for the Supreme Court of Liberia’s ruling calling for a return to the status quo in the ongoing dispute between the Majority and Minority blocs of the House of Representatives.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 23, PAL acknowledged the growing concerns over the prolonged standoff in the National Legislature, which has paralyzed legislative functions and impacted the governance of the state. “The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice in the land, and as such, calls on all parties to respect the decision of the Supreme Court and the rule of law,” the statement emphasized.
As the Association of Leading Newspapers in Liberia, PAL further urged its members and all media institutions to exercise caution in their reporting. The Association warned that inflammatory rhetoric could exacerbate the already fragile situation, undermining the security of the state and Liberia’s delicate democracy.
Earlier that day, the Supreme Court of Liberia issued a stay order directing the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives to halt all actions and return to the status quo. At the same time, the Court reviews a petition filed by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and his allies.
In a writ issued on Friday, the Court ordered the Minister of Justice and the lawmakers involved in the dispute to submit their responses by November 26, 2024. The Majority Bloc, led by Montserrado County Representative Richard Koon, was instructed to cease all actions until adjudicated.
The injunction also mandated Brigadier General Amos B. Kesseh Dickson, Sr., Marshal of the Supreme Court, or his deputy, to notify the Minister of Justice and the referenced lawmakers to file their official responses. The parties must appear before the Full Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., to determine whether the petition should be granted.
The order instructed the parties to “Return to status quo ante and stay all further proceedings or actions pending the determination of the matter.”
The ongoing leadership crisis within the House of Representatives has intensified, with the Majority Bloc accusing Speaker Koffa of corruption, conflict of interest, and poor leadership. Allegations surfaced that Koffa had ignored lawmakers’ concerns, leading to a division within the House.
The Majority Bloc, comprising many lawmakers, left the main chamber and began holding sessions in the joint chamber. On November 21, 2024, they declared the Speaker’s seat vacant and elected Representative Koon as the new Speaker. They also dissolved committees formed under Speaker Koffa and appointed new ones.
Speaker Koffa and members of the Minority Bloc strongly condemned these actions, arguing that no legitimate vacancy existed in the Speaker’s office to justify the Majority Bloc’s moves. In response, Koffa and his allies filed a petition to the Supreme Court, claiming that the Majority Bloc’s actions violated the procedural framework of the House.
The Supreme Court’s intervention marks a critical point in this ongoing leadership crisis, with the Court set to decide the legality of the Majority Bloc’s actions. This dispute has further deepened divisions within the House, raising concerns about its ability to function effectively amid the political turmoil.
