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Liberia: Majority Bloc Snubs ECOWAS Delegation at Capitol Over Protocol Dispute
Political Tensions Escalate as House Leadership Rejects Mediation Efforts
Monrovia – A tense standoff unfolded at Liberia’s Capitol Building on Monday, March 24, when members of the House of Representatives’ Majority Bloc refused to engage with an ECOWAS mediation team over a protocol dispute involving their leader, Richard Koon.
ECOWAS Mediation Efforts Meet Resistance
The ECOWAS delegation, arriving in Liberia on Sunday, aimed to mediate the ongoing leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. This marks the regional body’s second attempt at intervention following unsuccessful efforts earlier in 2024.
The high-profile delegation included:
- Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, former UN Under-Secretary-General
- Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs
- Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of Democracy and Good Governance at ECOWAS
Protocol Dispute Sparks Boycott
The confrontation erupted when ECOWAS officials addressed Rep. Koon as “Honorable Koon” rather than “Speaker Koon” – a title the Majority Bloc considers non-negotiable for proper protocol.
“We cannot accept this,” declared one Majority Bloc member. “No prior notification was made to the Speaker’s office. This disrespects the House’s authority, and we demand postponement until proper procedures are followed.”
ECOWAS Parliament Rejects Member Replacements
The tension follows ECOWAS Parliament’s recent rejection of Liberia’s request to replace three House members:
- Samuel R. Enders, Sr.
- Moima Briggs-Mensah
- Taa Z. Wongbe
ECOWAS maintained the legislators remained within their mandates, stating: “Their replacement cannot be affected… they will continue serving until mandate expiration.”
Behind-the-Scenes Developments
While initial reports suggested a complete boycott, House communications later clarified the Majority Bloc was reviewing the situation internally. Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa’s Rule of Law Caucus met separately with ECOWAS representatives.
Speaker Koffa expressed optimism after the closed-door meeting: “ECOWAS’ involvement underscores regional stability needs. Their support will guide us toward solutions ensuring Liberia’s stability and unity.”
Political Uncertainty Looms
With the Majority Bloc resisting external intervention and Supreme Court hearings scheduled for March 26 regarding Speaker Koffa’s Bill of Information, political observers warn Liberia’s legislative crisis remains unresolved.
As one bloc member warned: “We’re not children for ECOWAS to decide for us. We’ve been making new regional friends.” This stance suggests continuing challenges for mediation efforts.
This report summarizes original coverage by FrontPageAfrica. For complete details, read the full article at FrontPageAfrica.
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