As the House’s power play deepened daily, the Liberian people witnessed what could be considered an unprecedented split. Two factions of lawmakers, the pro-speaker bloc and the anti-speaker bloc, held separate sessions within the Capitol Building on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
This prevailing power play highlights the deepening political crisis that has engulfed the House. Speaker Fonati Koffa’s leadership and legitimacy continue to face a grim challenge amid the consistent push for his removal by anti-Koffa lawmakers.
Tuesday’s height of the House confusion heightened when Speaker Fonati Koffa’s bloc postponed its session in the main chamber after failing to meet a quorum.
“…By directive of the majority members of the House of Representatives, we write to inform you of a resolution signed by the majority of lawmakers which affirms that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has lost the trust and confidence of the majority of the House’s members. In accordance with our legislative duties and representatives of the Liberian people, the majority members of the House have evoked the House’s Standing Rules 8 and 12 along with Article 33 of the 1986 Constitution that states: a simple majority of the House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business…” Mr. James Toubie, Acting Chief Clerk, Anti-Speaker Bloc
“Call the number that is here. We will instruct our legal side and consult with other outside counsels…That Plenary will instruct us to be able to compel members who are not in session to attend by the next available session day. We can use the Court to compel them. Resignation is not an option. The law guides us. If they have a simple majority, they can have the gavel. If they cannot have a simple majority, they cannot have the gavel.” Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa
With only 30 members present, short of the 37 required for official business, Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah were in attendance, along with minority members loyal to the embattled Speaker.
Nimba County Representative Musa Hassan Bility filed a motion during the sitting, seeking to compel absent lawmakers to attend the next session, scheduled for Thursday, October 24.
The body unanimously voted to favor the motion, signaling their intent to rally for a stronger showing at the next sitting.
However, while this session struggled to convene for official business in the main chamber, a rival group of lawmakers held their own separate meeting in the joint chambers of the National Legislature. This group, which has been pushing for Speaker Koffa’s removal, moved forward with their own legislative agenda in the absence of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
During their session, the anti-Koffa bloc filed a motion to summon Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah to appear before their body on Thursday to answer for his refusal to attend their sitting.
With both factions now issuing competing motions to compel attendance and summon critical figures, the situation on Capitol Hill has reached a boiling point. It remains unclear what will unfold during the next session on Thursday, but the current state of the House of Representatives suggests that the political crisis will continue to escalate.
A power struggle over the speakership drives this division within the House of Representatives, raising important legal and political questions. Speaker Koffa’s fate hangs in the balance as his opponents seek to oust him through legal and procedural means.
Speaker Koffa’s leadership has come under fire from 43 of the 73 representatives, who signed a resolution calling for his removal on grounds of corruption, conflict of interest, and influence peddling. Despite these accusations, the group does not have the two-thirds majority required by law to remove him from office. According to Article 49 of the 1986 Constitution, 49 representatives are needed to pass such a resolution.
The House of Representatives requires a simple majority of 37 members to form a quorum and conduct official business. Speaker Koffa’s bloc fell short, with only 30 members attending the Tuesday session, undermining his ability to preside and raising questions about his leadership’s legitimacy.
The faction opposing Speaker Koffa claims to have enough members to conduct business under a “simple majority” principle.
According to Article 33 of the Constitution, a quorum is necessary for any legislative business, and the anti-Koffa group, with 43 members, has more than enough to proceed without him.
The unprecedented scenario of co-occurring two sessions highlights the House’s fragmented state. Both groups are now issuing motions to compel attendance and summon key figures, including Deputy Speaker Fallah, further entrenching the divide.
The current political impasse raises several critical questions: Can Speaker Koffa Be Removed?
While the anti-Koffa bloc does not yet have the two-thirds majority required to remove him formally, they can continue to hold their sessions, potentially weakening his position.
If they gain more support, Koffa’s removal could become inevitable.
While either side could pursue legal avenues, the judiciary would unlikely intervene due to the principle of separation of powers. The crisis remains primarily political, and the resolution will likely come through legislative negotiations or shifts in support.
Thursday, the day before their next session, will be critical in determining the future of the House of Representatives.
If the anti-Koffa bloc continues to convene and issue motions, the Speaker’s leadership could be further undermined, potentially leading to a leadership change.
The current internal crises in the House of Representatives have created a divided legislative body with clashing factions holding separate sessions.
Speaker Fonati Koffa’s leadership is under significant threat, and the next few days will be pivotal in determining whether he can hold onto his position. As both sides prepare for Thursday’s session, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown on Capitol Hill.
