Lost Battle? Koffa Resigns, Cites Loss of Strong Bloc Supporters

By: Laymah Kollie

What had become a drawn-out and highly publicized standoff at the Liberian
House of Representatives reached its climax on Monday, May 12, as embattled
Speaker J. Fonati Koffa officially resigned from his post.

The impasse, which began on October 17, 2024, sparked intense division among
lawmakers, resulting in a series of protests, the alleged arson attack on the
Capitol Building, and challenges to international recognition of the
Speakership.

Koffa had previously vowed not to resign unless his opponents within the
House could gather the two-thirds majority required to oust him, as stipulated
under Rule 9 of the House of Representatives Standing Rules. The rule provides
that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and other officers may only be removed by a
resolution backed by a two-thirds majority vote.

Despite intervention attempts by national and international bodies,
including two separate visits from ECOWAS representatives, the deadlock
remained unresolved.

During the height of the impasse, Koffa remained defiant, asserting that he
would not step down. However, his stance began to weaken as key members of his
political bloc defected to the opposition.

“You see Fonati Koffa, but you don’t see people standing behind Fonati
Koffa. We lost most of our strong men,” the Grand Kru County lawmaker
admitted in a press statement.

Koffa noted that without the support needed to secure a quorum, his ability
to uphold the rule of law and preside over House sessions became unattainable.

He also revealed that part of the resolution involved negotiations between
his bloc and the Liberian Government to ensure that salaries and benefits for
the suspended lawmakers in his camp would be settled. “We had a meeting.
My colleagues will be paid,” he stated.

The Legislature is set to resume on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following its
first quarter break. The second session of the 55th National Legislature began
on January 15 and adjourned on March 20, 2025. The upcoming quarter will run
for the next three months.