CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – The Rule of Law Caucus has issued a scathing condemnation of the violent assault on Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, which occurred during a session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a strongly worded press statement, the Caucus described the incident as an egregious violation of Liberia’s democratic principles and a grave assault on the rule of law.
“This unprecedented attack on Hon. Kolubah during today’s session of the House of Representatives marks a dangerous turning point in our democratic journey,” the statement read. “It is an affront not only to an individual but to the core values of our democratic system.”
The political deadlock within the House of Representatives has taken a new turn as members of the Rule of Law Caucus opted to attend sessions under the gavel of Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, fearing retribution if they stayed away. However, rather than fostering unity as the public had hoped, their presence is deepening divisions.
A majority of the Rule of Law Caucus members still refuse to recognize Koung as the legitimate Speaker, a stance that has intensified tensions. On Tuesday, Speaker Koon ordered the House Sergeant-at-Arms and doormen to remove Rep. Yekeh Kolubah from the chamber after he refused to acknowledge Koon’s authority.
“Richard Koon is not the Speaker. I only recognize Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah,” Kolubah declared, triggering heated reactions from Koon’s allies in the chamber.
Supporters of Koon, including River Gee District #3 Representative Johnson S.N. Williams and Montserrado District #8 Representative Prince Toles, accused Kolubah of disrupting the session and showing blatant disrespect to the leadership of the Majority Bloc.
Citing Kolubah’s conduct as unacceptable, Speaker Koon instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove him from the chamber. The situation briefly escalated as Kolubah resisted, but he was eventually pushed out of session by a group of doormen while repeating his rejection of Koon’s authority.
Outside the chamber, Kolubah remained defiant, telling reporters, “Koon is desperate. He is not the Speaker, and I will never recognize him as such. As far as I’m concerned, Fonati Koffa is the only legitimate Speaker of the House.”
Kolubah went on to accuse the Boakai administration of orchestrating what he described as “an illegal leadership structure” in the legislature. He argued that Koon’s election was undemocratic and indicative of the administration’s alleged attempts to consolidate power.
Constitutional Violations and Democratic Erosion
The Rule of Law Caucus emphasized that the Liberian Constitution guarantees lawmakers the right to freely and responsibly express themselves without fear of harm or intimidation. It warned that the violent expulsion of Rep. Kolubah from the House floor sets a perilous precedent, undermining the independence of the legislature and eroding democratic norms.
“This assault transcends an attack on one individual; it reflects a disturbing willingness to employ violence to suppress dissenting voices,” said Rep. Musa Hassan Bility, Chairman of the Caucus. “Such actions are intolerable and will be met with unwavering resistance.”
Action Plan and Call for Unity
In response to the incident, the Rule of Law Caucus outlined a three-point action plan including Accountability: The Caucus vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to hold those responsible for the assault accountable, including House members and external actors; Legislative Security: It pledged to implement measures to ensure the safety of lawmakers and the sanctity of the legislative process and National Mobilization: The Caucus called on civil society, the media, and citizens to unite in defense of democracy and reject violence and lawlessness.
“Today’s assault serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our democracy. We must unite to reaffirm our commitment to justice, equality, and accountability,” the statement urged.
A Message to the Government
The Caucus also directed strong words at the government, reminding leaders that their authority derives from the people and that they are duty-bound to uphold the Constitution. “Your actions today will define your legacy in the annals of our nation’s history,” the Caucus warned.
National Outrage
The attack on Hon. Kolubah has sparked outrage across Liberia, with many viewing it as a troubling sign of growing political tensions and declining respect for democratic norms. Civil society groups and human rights advocates have echoed the Caucus’s calls for accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents.
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