Monrovia, Liberia — December 9, 2024: The Supreme Court of Liberia’s recent decision on the actions of some members of the House of Representatives has sparked public criticism and confusion. Many Liberians are questioning the Court’s ability to resolve issues fairly and clearly.
The ruling, announced on December 5, was supposed to settle disputes within the House but has instead worsened divisions.
Both the Majority Bloc and the Minority Bloc are claiming victory, deepening the rift in the Legislature. This has left many citizens disappointed and worried about the effectiveness of the Supreme Court.
Critics say the ruling failed to address how to deal with lawmakers who refuse to attend sessions. This gap has allowed both sides in the House to interpret the decision in their favor, making the situation worse.
“The Court was ambiguous. Though the Court interpreted parts of the Constitution, it ran away from clearly stating which “bloc” acted constitutional or unconstitutional. The Court created more conflict.” Renowned Activist Martin KN Kollie posted on his official Facebook page.
In response to the opinion from the court, renowned human rights lawyer, Cllr. Tiawon Saye Gongloe, submitted a petition to the Supreme Court of Liberia, seeking its intervention through Amicus Curiaeassistance to address the growing constitutional uncertainties within the legislature.
Amicus Curiae, a Latin term meaning “friend of the court,” refers to a person or organization that is not a party to a case but is invited or allowed by the court to provide insights, expertise, or perspectives to assist in deciding the matter at hand. Such contributions are meant to clarify complex legal or constitutional issues
His petition challenges the recent actions of the “Majority Block” in the House of Representatives, including the removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa, his replacement by Representative Koon, and the suspension of Representatives Edward Flomo, Abu Kamara, and Marvin Cole.
Cllr. Gongloe argues that these actions were executed without adherence to Articles 33 and 49 of Liberia’s Constitution, which govern the legislative process and quorum requirements.
In his plea, Cllr. Gongloe calls on the Court to declare the leadership restructuring unconstitutional and order the suspended lawmakers to resume their duties.
He also requests that the Supreme Court reinforce the constitutional provisions mandating a quorum for legislative sessions.
Through this petition, Cllr. Gongloe emphasizes the importance of judicial oversight in resolving political disputes, ensuring that the supremacy of the Constitution is upheld above partisan interests.
Another lawyer who begged for anonymity expressed frustration: “How can the Court leave such an important issue unresolved? This ruling is only causing more problems.”
The ongoing disagreement in the House may delay important decisions for the country. Some experts are calling on lawmakers to create clear rules to handle these kinds of issues in the future. For now, the nation waits anxiously for a solution that can restore trust in its democratic system.
