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MONROVIA, April 23, 2025-Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa has extended an olive branch to his fellow lawmakers from the majority bloc who removed him from his position as speaker.
His statement followed a judgment from the supreme court of Liberia which recognized his leadership as legitimate. In a short video conference on Wednesday, he said he was prepared to sit with his colleagues to move forward.
Speaker Koffa was removed by some lawmakers after declaring a vote of no confidence in him over half a year.
Koffa , a lawyer by profession challenged his removal ,saying it was unconstitutional and needed for the rule of law to be followed.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh said rendering her opinion in the case said: “Any action or sitting of the majority bloc in which the elected Speaker is not presiding—despite being present and neither absent nor incapacitated—is unconstitutional. The actions of the self-styled ‘Majority Bloc’ are in total disregard for the rule of law.”
So, Speaker Koffa said this: “Today, the Supreme Court of Liberia reaffirmed and upheld the rule of law in what has been termed a legislative impasse. As we have always pledged, the ruling of the Court is our final bus stop. The Court has ruled—effectively recognizing that our leadership holds the constitutional mandate of the first branch of government, and we welcome that decision.”
He added: “I will reach out to deputy speaker Thomas Fallah and honorable (who was elected by the majority bloc as speaker) Richard Koon so that we establish a joint reconciliation and transitional committee.”
He said, “I am not unmindful that reconciliation and progress will require that I make the ultimate sacrifice. And I am not unwilling to pay the that price. But please lest us show this nation how democracies are built.”
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.