It can be recalled that on the 17th of October, A.D. 2024, forty-seven (47) members of the 55th House of Representatives of the Legislature of Liberia signed a Resolution consistent with Article 49 and Article 33 of the 1986Constitution of Liberia. The essence of the resolution was to cast a vote of no confidence in the Speaker of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia and to subsequently request his immediate and unconditional removal in keeping with due process. Due to obstruction of the Chamber by the Chairman on Rules, Order and Administration and other members, by shutting down the chamber, the Majority Members signed a resolution declaring the Joint Chamber as a Chamber to conduct business. Additionally, six members of the 55th House of Representatives including Alex J. Grant, Johnson Williams, Prince Toles, Samuel N. Brown Sr., Anthony Williams and Samuel G. Kogar thus expressing that the Speaker has been involved with a number of issues which grossly contravened the Standing Rules and Procedures of the HOR, which brings him into conflict with the 1986 Constitution and the Organic Laws and statutes of the Republic. As a means of intervention, a high-power mediation delegation headed by Rt. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima arrived in Liberia and hosted several meetings with the parties of the conflict to include, the Majority and Minority Members of the House of Representatives, both in the Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building and the Boulevard Palace Hotel respectively. At the finality of the meetings, the following conversations that were already executed by the Majority Members were similarly proffered by the Ecowas Mediation Team for consideration by the parties:
- The official complaint against the Speaker will be disattended to the office of the honorable Speaker with immediate effect by the Majority Members. 2. The honorable Speaker shall respond to the complaint in writing recusing himself from the presiding over the House during the period of the investigation. 3. Members of the 55th legislature, shall resume Plenary sittings in the main chambers of the House of Representatives. 4. The Deputy Speaker shall preside over the Plenary during the period of the Investigation into the charges against the Speaker. 5. The duration of the investigation shall not exceed two weeks 6. The security and safety of the members of the House will be assured by both parties in order to maintain decorum. Conclusion: Wherefore and in lieu of the foregoing, the Majority Members of the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature of Liberia have resolved to the following to wit: 1. Except for Count (3), of the Conversations, the remaining Five Counts ofthe Six Counts Conversations as proffered by the ECOWAS mediation team has been officially tabled before Plenary through an official complaint against the Speaker which was tested legislatively through motion proffered on Tuesday, the 12th of November, 2024 by Honorable Steve Tequah, Representative of electoral District #2, Rivercess County, which was passed by Plenary (IN SESSION) with the following stated in the motion: a. that the official complaint be served on the Speaker with a return thereof, that the Speaker recuses himself and subject himself to the ark Ty investigation through a Special Committee that was established by Plenary, C. that the Speaker be accorded due process through an investigation which should last for two weeks d. that the Deputy Speaker, should preside over the Plenary whilst the investigation is ongoing. e. That an official report of the Special Committee be submitted to Plenary consistent with the constitution and the Rules and Procedures of the House of Representatives. 2. Reference to Count #3, the Supreme Court of Liberia, the highest arbiter of justice in Liberia, consistent with Article 66, has recognized the legitimacy of the sitting of Majority Members in the joint chamber.
The Majority Members appreciate the efforts of the ECOWAS Mediation Team thus far. We look forward to a continuous working relation to promote peace, harmony, and the rule of law within the sub-region.