By: Barclay Karnley Jr
MONROVIA: A five-member parliamentary delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) visiting Liberia on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, held a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Liberian Senate in ascertaining information regarding the current stalemate in he House of Representatives.
The ECOWAS Parliamentary delegation is in the Country to mediate and find solution in the leadership crisis that has engulfed the House of Representatives for at least a Month.
On October 17, 2024, a group of Lawmakers of the Lower House signed a resolution, calling for the removal of House Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
Since the signing of the resolution by the ‘Majority bloc,’ at least Forty-three (43) Representatives have been conducting separate sessions in the Joint Chamber of the Legislature.
The House Speaker has since maintained that he will not bow to pressure from individuals demanding his resignation until he is accorded due process in keeping with the law of the Country.
The current stalemate in the House of Representatives has claimed the attention of the sub-regional body for its intervention in addressing the situation and to find an amicable solution.
The ECOWAS visiting delegation to the Liberian Senate include, Deputy Speaker Barau J. Jibrin, Ballay G. Tunkara, Nassirou Bako Arifan and K Bartin
The head of delegation and speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Madam Memounatu Ibrahima who briefed the Leadership of the Liberian Senate extended warmest gratitude from the ECOWAS Parliament to the Liberian Senate for the hospitality accorded them since their arrival in the country.
The ECOWAS Parliament Speaker who spoke through an interpreter during the consultative meeting said, the present of the delegation in Liberia is predicated upon a mandate from the ECOWAS Parliamentary body and the ECOWAS Commission to intervene in the Leadership crisis at the House of Representatives.
The ECOWAS Parliament Speaker stressed that the delegation is also in Liberia to seek clarity about the conflict in the House of Representatives and to mediate between the two groups in finding an amicable solution to address the longstanding crisis at the House of Representatives which is an overall objective of the delegation.
Also Speaking during the meeting, Senate Pro-Tempore and Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, welcomed the delegation to the Senate and expressed gratitude to the delegation for their intervention in seeking clarity to resolve the Leadership crisis at the House of Representatives.
Madam Senate Pro-Tempore further informed the visiting ECOWAS delegation that although the Legislature is a bi-camera one with separate rules, what affects the House of Representatives equally affects the Senate Chambers, and as such there is a need to ensure peace reins at the House of Representatives.
She further disclosed that the Liberian Senate also attached similar interest to the resolution of the conflict at the House of Representatives evidenced by a recent mediation Committee set up by the Liberian Senate, stressing that, she hopes that the committee will report on or before the end of this week.
Members of the Liberian Senate who formed part of the ECOWAS consultative meeting on Tuesday November 12, 2024, included Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence of Grand Bassa County; Montserrado County Senator and Senate Chair on Foreign Affairs Senator Abraham Darius Dillon; and Senator Prince Moye of Bong County, who is also Senate Committee Chair on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget.
Others include Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe and Senator Alex Jeneka Tyler of Bomi County, Senate Representatives to the ECOWAS; Senator Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County and Senate Committee Chair on Education; and Senator Augustine Chea, Senate Committee Chair on Judiciary among others.
It is expected that the ECOWAS Parliamentary delegation will engage other key stakeholders before departing Liberia.
