The protracted speakership dispute within Liberia’s House of Representatives, which had drawn regional attention and concern, has finally reached a resolution, according to Senator Edwin Snowe, head of the Liberian delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament. In an official communication addressed to ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima, Senator Snowe confirmed that the impasse had been resolved through legal and democratic processes within Liberia, restoring constitutional leadership to both chambers of the legislature. This resolution marks the culmination of a period of political uncertainty and underscores Liberia’s commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.
The speakership crisis began some time prior, prompting the ECOWAS Parliament, under the directive of then-ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State Chairman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, to intervene. Recognizing the fragility of the political landscape, exacerbated by recent coups in neighboring countries, President Tinubu tasked the ECOWAS Parliament with facilitating a swift resolution to the Liberian legislative crisis. An initial mediation team was dispatched to Monrovia, but their efforts proved unsuccessful in bridging the divide between the contending parties.
A second attempt at mediation was initiated by ECOWAS in March 2025, led by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs. This mission included high-ranking officials from various regional and international bodies, including the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the Guinea-Bissau Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS. Despite the stature and expertise of the delegation, the second mediation attempt also failed to yield a resolution, further deepening the political stalemate.
The persistence of the impasse prompted concern within the ECOWAS community, as it posed a potential threat to stability not only in Liberia but also in the wider region. The protracted nature of the dispute highlighted the challenges of internal political conflicts and underlined the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. The repeated calls for peace and adherence to legal processes from ECOWAS emphasized the regional body’s commitment to fostering stability and good governance within its member states.
The eventual breakthrough came through the intervention of the Supreme Court of Liberia, a pivotal development that paved the way for the resignation of former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. Following his resignation, the House of Representatives convened a regular session and conducted an election, resulting in the peaceful ascension of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as the new Speaker. This marked a significant turning point, restoring full constitutional leadership to both chambers of the Liberian legislature.
Senator Snowe, in his communication to Speaker Ibrahima, expressed Liberia’s profound gratitude for the solidarity and support extended by the ECOWAS Parliament during the challenging period. He emphasized that the resolution of the impasse not only strengthens parliamentary function and representation at both national and regional levels but also reaffirms Liberia’s commitment to democratic principles and regional cooperation. The peaceful resolution of the dispute signifies a positive step towards consolidating stability and promoting good governance in Liberia, setting a precedent for resolving future political impasses through legal and constitutional means.
