Liberia

On Monday, January 27, the Supreme Court of Liberia found itself noticeably absent from a pivotal moment in the political arena: President Joseph Boakai's constitutionally mandated annual address. As he spoke, the seats reserved for the five justices sat barren, a striking tableau that raised eyebrows and sparked a whirlwind of speculation. Did they choose to stay away to avoid giving a nod of legitimacy to the executive branch's recognition of Richard Nagbe Koon, the ruling Unity Party's pick for Speaker of the House of…

In a surprising twist that’s stirred the political waters in Liberia, the leadership of the Liberian National Police has identified several lawmakers, including the embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa, as "persons of interest" in the troubling investigation surrounding the recent fire at the Capitol Building—home to the nation’s legislative activities. The Capitol, once a proud symbol of democracy, now bears the scars of controversy that threaten to engulf its inhabitants. In a formal communication directed to the House of…

The Senate of Liberia has agreed to the draft budget for 2025 put forth by a faction within the House of Representatives, identifying themselves as the "majority Bloc." However, this move hasn't come without its share of controversy. Analysts, including the beleaguered Speaker Fonati Koffa and a former Supreme Court justice, have raised eyebrows about the legitimacy of this financial document. They point to ongoing tensions between the Speaker's supporters and those seeking to remove him from office. This hefty budget,…

A faction of lawmakers determined to unseat Speaker Fonati Koffa has stirred up some serious debate by electing a new Speaker, all while a legal battle unfolds at the Supreme Court of Liberia. On November 21, 2024, this group declared Koffa’s position as Speaker vacant and subsequently selected Richard Koon from the ruling Unity Party as his replacement. Facing this upheaval, Speaker Koffa stands firm, arguing that this breakaway faction is not constitutionally empowered to remove him. “Nothing has happened,” he asserted on…

In an intriguing turn of events, the ECOWAS Parliament has decided to send a delegation to Monrovia. Their mission? To tackle the ongoing political gridlock surrounding attempts by certain lawmakers to unseat Fonati Koffa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now, it's worth noting that while those aiming to displace the Speaker haven't managed to muster the necessary 49 votes as mandated by law, their actions have nonetheless halted legislative activities. They've effectively disrupted the usual proceedings by…

The Supreme Court of Liberia has made it clear that lawmakers attempting to oust House Speaker Fonati Koffa must respect the legal procedures in place. This ruling came in response to a petition urging the court to intervene and stop the various factions of legislators who have been conducting their own sessions aimed at unseating the Speaker. In the midst of this political frenzy, Speaker Koffa remains steadfast, declaring that he has no intention of stepping down, despite calls for his resignation. Instead, he has called…

A multitude of lawmakers aiming to unseat House Speaker Fonatii Koffa remain resolute in their intentions, disregarding a directive from the Supreme Court that called for a suspension of their activities. This order springs from a formal appeal made by Speaker Koffa himself, intended to halt any proceedings concerning his potential ousting until a scheduled meeting between both factions on November 4. The faction opposing the Speaker, which boasts more than 40 representatives from the House, identifies itself as the…

The government of Liberia has unveiled plans to revoke multiple diplomatic appointments at its overseas missions. Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah revealed that President Joseph Boakai made this decision to "synchronize the roles with the governance demands and diplomatic strategy of the nation." This move is seen as a strategic alignment with the prevailing needs of the country, steering clear of prior engagements that no longer resonate with Liberia's evolving foreign policy. Piah emphasized that the process of…

The Capitol Building, the heart of Liberia's legislative activities, became a hotspot for political unrest recently. This past Thursday, a faction within the Lower House attempted to unseat Speaker Fonati Koffa. However, their scheme unraveled when Koffa's loyal supporters, despite his absence abroad, intervened spectacularly, closing the Chamber doors and halting the coup attempt. Reportedly, those lawmakers who endorsed the resolution to oust the Speaker believed they were promised a hefty payday of U.S. $25,000 each.…

Bishop Samuel J. Quire, the prominent leader of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, has recently expressed deep concerns regarding reports of several congregations pondering a split from the denomination. Their contemplation of such a move stems from the heated discussions surrounding the acceptance of same-sex marriage within the church. Quire firmly emphasized that no congregation under the Methodist banner is entitled to sever ties, highlighting that those contemplating such a decision are straying from the…