President Joseph Boakai has formally recognized the majority bloc of the House of Representatives as the legitimate faction following the executive’s review of a recent Supreme Court ruling.
This decision enables the executive branch to conduct official business exclusively with the majority members and acknowledges Montserrado County Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as the new Speaker of the House.
The endorsement comes after a legal review by Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald Tweh, who concluded that the majority bloc holds the constitutional authority to act on behalf of the House. Minister Tweh emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision validated the majority bloc’s actions, affirming their right to hold sessions and make binding decisions.
“My reading of the Court’s opinion and analysis leads me to conclude that the majority members of the House of Representatives have met the constitutional requirements to convene and take decisions in accordance with the laws of Liberia and the House’s Rules,” Minister Tweh stated.
The Liberian Senate has also voted to uphold the Justice Minister’s opinion and formally recognize Richard Nagbe Koon as the legitimate Speaker of the House. Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence announced that the decision was reached during a consultative meeting of the Senate.
However, the decision has sparked divisions within the Senate. Senator Nathaniel McGill has openly opposed the resolution, while Sinoe County Senator and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cllr. Augustine S. Chea, has also voiced his disagreement.
In a strongly worded statement, Senator Chea criticized the Justice Minister’s interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling and accused the Court of failing to provide clarity in its opinion.
“I respectfully disagree with my friend, former classmate, and learned colleague, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. His interpretation of the Supreme Court’s opinion in the House of Representatives’ case misrepresents the letter and spirit of the Apex Court’s decision as well as Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution of Liberia,” Senator Chea stated.
He further lamented the Senate’s reliance on the Justice Minister’s opinion and President Boakai’s endorsement as the basis for recognizing the majority bloc, calling it “a very sad day for the rule of law.” Chea also criticized the Supreme Court, stating, “The Court’s failure to be direct and straightforward in its opinion makes it susceptible to all sorts of interpretations. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives’ crisis lingers.”
The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership impasse following disputes over the legitimacy of decisions under former Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The Supreme Court’s ruling and the subsequent actions by the executive and Senate mark critical steps in addressing the stalemate, though lingering disagreements highlight ongoing divisions among Liberia’s lawmakers.