ECOWAS Parliamentary Mediation Mission visiting Liberia says it met with scores of Liverian officials in an attempt to address the Political Impasse in Liberia’s House of Representatives.
In a concerted effort to resolve the ongoing parliamentary impasse within the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dispatched a mediation and diplomacy mission to Monrovia.
This initiative, authorized by His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Nigeria, aims to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the political deadlock affecting the legislative body.
The mission, led by Rt. Hon. Speaker Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima of the ECOWAS Parliament, included key members such as Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, 4th Deputy Speaker; Hon. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, Member; and Hon. Califa Seidi, Member. They were supported by Her Excellency Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia.
During their visit from November 11 to 16, the delegation engaged in a series of courtesy visits and discussions with prominent Liberian officials, including President Joseph N. Boakai, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, and Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti. The team also met with key figures in the legislative branch, including Sen. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Counsellor J. Fonati Koffa, Speaker of the House, as well as representatives from both the “Minority Bloc” and “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives, and the Liberian National Civil Society Council.
The delegation commended Liberia’s longstanding tradition as one of Africa’s oldest parliamentary democracies and praised the peaceful transfer of power that followed the November 2023 presidential elections, highlighting the country’s political maturity.
However, they expressed deep concerns over the legislative paralysis resulting from the ongoing impasse, which has significantly impeded government operations and heightened public anxiety.
Despite facilitating dialogue and organizing several rounds of discussions among the parties involved, the ECOWAS mission was unable to reach a resolution within the allotted timeframe. Nevertheless, the delegation says it remains committed to fostering further engagement and dialogue among all stakeholders, urging adherence to Liberia’s 1986 Constitution and the House of Representatives’ Rules of Procedure. In their concluding remarks, the delegation emphasized the necessity for Members of the House to prioritize the best interests of the Liberian people, advocating for unity, peace, and development. They called on all parties to respect due process and uphold the rule of law to effectively resolve the impasse.
The ECOWAS parliamentary delegation expressed solidarity with the citizens of Liberia, encouraging patience and calm during this challenging period. They remain hopeful that a resolution will be achieved in favor of the Liberian people and the broader ECOWAS community.
The mission concluded its work on November 16, 2024, with a commitment to continue supporting Liberia in its quest for democratic governance.
