CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – In a bid to strengthen Liberia’s relations with the international community, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, along with select members of the Legislature, held a high-level meeting with members of the diplomatic corps accredited near Monrovia.

The gathering, which took place in the main chambers of the House of Representatives, marked Speaker Koon’s first major diplomatic engagement since formally assuming leadership of the 55th Legislature, following a protracted leadership crisis.

Although the meeting was held behind closed doors, Speaker Koon later addressed the media, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability—principles he described as central to the House’s legislative and oversight priorities.

He emphasized the crucial role international partners continue to play in strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions and pledged the Legislature’s full cooperation in working with them for the betterment of the country.

“This meeting was to reaffirm that we are prepared to work with them. We recommit ourselves to engaging with the international community. Since the impasse, there have been different perceptions about us, so this is part of an effort to rekindle those relationships and foster national development,” Speaker Koon said.

He revealed that the meeting, held on Friday, June 20, 2025, lasted several hours and surpassed expectations, with several key dignitaries in attendance. According to him, both sides exchanged cordial diplomatic messages and addressed critical issues relating to the Legislature’s work and Liberia’s progress.

“Now that Liberia has secured a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, our responsibility has increased. Strengthening communication with our international partners is vital to maximizing the benefits of this global platform,” Speaker Koon explained.

When asked whether the meeting was convened in response to any specific concern, he said it was prompted by several issues, including development, human rights, and national security.

He added that the meeting was a strong signal of his leadership’s readiness to work in the interest of the Liberian people, describing it as the first major engagement between the Legislature and the diplomatic community under his tenure.

“One of the major issues discussed was electoral integrity. We talked about the need to fast-track electoral reforms and validate the national population census results to enable the creation of additional legislative seats. These are essential steps toward ensuring the country moves in the right direction,” Koon noted, responding to a question on whether the meeting touched on Liberia’s political climate, diplomacy, and the rule of law.

Speaker Koon expressed optimism that such engagements would continue, laying the foundation for a stronger partnership between the Legislature and Liberia’s international allies.

The meeting comes in the wake of a prolonged leadership dispute within the House of Representatives. The crisis began when a group of lawmakers under the banner of the “Majority Bloc” declared the Speaker’s post vacant and installed Koon as their leader. After nearly six months of contention, the Supreme Court ruled that Koon’s initial election and related actions by the bloc were illegal. A subsequent election saw Koon legitimately elected as Speaker.

Since then, Speaker Koon has intensified engagements with both domestic and international stakeholders—moves observers interpret as efforts to restore confidence and rebuild trust in the Legislature.

Monrovia – After months of legal and political turmoil, Representative J. Fonati Koffa has officially resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives. In his resignation address on Monday, Koffa was frank about his reasons, citing what he called the Executive Branch’s failure to honor a Supreme Court ruling affirming his speakership.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

“The Supreme Court made a clarification. I think even the smallest child in school could understand what the Court said. It said Fonati is the Speaker. Any other thing that happened was illegal,” Koffa stated. “Then the rules of the game shifted when the President said he would go back to his original posture, which was to deal with a majority bloc. Once that changed, we had to assess our own participation in what is going on.”

President Joseph Boakai has faced growing criticism for his perceived role in the prolonged impasse within the House. Many expected him to fully implement the Supreme Court’s ruling and extend all privileges and immunities to Speaker Koffa, including security. Instead, Boakai responded by stating he would work with a functional quorum—effectively endorsing the Majority Bloc that refused to recognize the Court’s decision.

Koffa said the situation had become untenable, especially after intelligence of potential violence at the Capitol and increasing militarization within the Legislature.

“Our choice was to either go tomorrow to the Capitol and risk a repeat of violence or to avoid that. One of the things we try to do is avoid it,” Koffa said.

Majority Bloc has suffered sharp criticism for flouting the Supreme Court ruling, citing Rep. Richard Koon’s open defiance and Rep. James Kollie’s threat to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Justices. The Bloc also withheld the salaries and benefits of lawmakers it had suspended—actions the Supreme Court later ruled as illegal.

“How long can I ask my 60 employees, who have not been paid for six months, to stay on?” Koffa asked. “How can I ask my colleagues, who have endured this battle, to keep going—especially when we began losing some of our most committed members after the President’s statement?”

Addressing rumors that he was paid to step down, Koffa strongly denied any financial inducement.

“If I wanted to take money for this, that would’ve happened before the ruling, when it would’ve been more valuable. We’ve gone six, seven months with no pay, no gas, nothing. S,o at the end of all this, it’s unfair to say we took money. The only thing we want is for our legitimate benefits and salaries to be restored.”

He confirmed that discussions were held prior to his resignation concerning the reinstatement of his suspended colleagues.

“Yes, we had discussions. I indicated my intent to resign and requested that the salaries and benefits of my colleagues be paid. That led to another meeting, during which they received assurances that this would happen.”

Regarding staff members still detained in connection to the Capitol Building fire, Koffa called for international investigators to take over the probe.

“We’ve always said this: I cannot negotiate a criminal matter in a political settlement. It suggests I’m guilty. Because this case has been so politicized, I’m calling on international investigators to handle it. Whatever their findings are, we’ll accept.”

Asked whether his resignation was part of a deal for a new Speaker to be elected, he responded:

“I can’t negotiate the law. Once I resign, a vacancy is created. And by law, a new Speaker must be elected. That’s the constitutional mandate.”

On what lies ahead for him, Koffa revealed plans to publish a book titled “From 1 to 73: The Conspiracy at the Capitol”, chronicling his ordeal.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has acknowledged receipt of Koffa’s resignation and announced plans to hold a fresh election today, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. In a statement issued by Press and Public Affairs Director Robert Benjamin Haynes, the House confirmed the session would begin at 10:00 AM to elect a new Speaker in accordance with the Constitution and House Rules.

“The House remains committed to upholding democratic values and working diligently in service to the Liberian people,” the statement concluded.

Although the Majority Bloc previously ignored the Supreme Court’s verdict affirming Koffa’s position, observers say this development presents Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah with an opportunity to restore credibility and order to the House by presiding over a fair and transparent election within the 60-day period required by law.

Potential Contenders Emerge

Meanwhile, following the announcement, two names have emerged as possible contenders for the speakership: Musa Bility and Richard Koon.

Bility’s bid: A test of Opposition Unity

Representative Musa Bility, Chairman of the House Minority under the Rule of Law Caucus, is positioning himself as a unifier of lawmakers disillusioned by recent political developments, particularly the controversial distribution of legislative committees during Koon’s interim leadership. His bloc remained largely intact throughout the seven-month stalemate that eventually forced Koffa’s resignation.

Bility has received a key endorsement from Koffa himself, and analysts believe this may help him draw support from disgruntled members of the Majority Bloc.

However, Bility’s path to the speakership faces a significant hurdle: the Executive’s reported interest in having a Speaker aligned with its agenda. This political pressure, backed by potential financial incentives, could sway undecided lawmakers to back Koon.

Koon’s Candidacy: Executive Backing, but Internal Doubts

Representative Koon, considered the leading figure of the pro-Executive Majority Bloc, is widely viewed as the favorite in Tuesday’s election. He reportedly enjoys the backing of 47 lawmakers who have reaffirmed their support ahead of the vote.

Koon’s greatest strength lies in his alignment with the Executive, which has made it clear that it seeks a more cooperative legislature.

Yet, internal concerns persist. Some members of the Majority Bloc are reportedly uneasy about how legislative committees were apportioned and may reconsider their loyalties. Furthermore, several of Koon’s supporters were formerly aligned with Bility’s Rule of Law Caucus, raising questions about their long-term commitment.

A Divided House Braces for Key Vote

With the House still deeply divided and the Executive’s influence looming large, Tuesday’s election is expected to be closely contested. Lawmakers on both sides have been engaged in intense negotiations, with lobbying efforts intensifying behind the scenes.

The outcome will not only determine who leads the House but may also shape the balance of power between the Legislature and the Executive for the foreseeable future.

Monrovia – The escalating leadership crisis in the House of Representatives is no longer just a matter of legality or parliamentary rules — it is a vivid display of the interplay between political ambition, committee influence, and the persistent tug-of-war for institutional dominance.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

At the center of the impasse is the status of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon. Though he was elected by the Majority Bloc following the removal of Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, his legitimacy is being contested in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling. 

The Court questioned the procedures surrounding Koffa’s removal, prompting renewed negotiations between the rival blocs.

FrontPage Africa has learned that behind closed doors, talks are underway between Koon’s Majority Bloc and Koffa’s loyalists in the Minority Bloc. According to sources, Koffa has conditionally agreed to step down — but only if the suspension of Minority Bloc members is lifted and all their seized benefits, including salaries, fuel, and scratch cards, are fully restored.

Despite this opening for a possible resolution, discussions have hit a wall over one core issue relating to the Majority Bloc’s firm stance that Koon remains the legitimate Speaker, thereby leaving no room for new elections or interim leadership.

“The Majority Bloc believes that its decision to elect Koon stands, and cannot be reversed,” a source familiar with the negotiations told FrontPage Africa.

However, this assertion is being directly challenged by the Rule of Law Caucus, led by Nimba County Representative Musa Hassan Bility. Bility pushed back forcefully, stating: “You can’t eat your cake and have it too. You cannot be calling for Koffa’s resignation while at the same time referring to Koon as Speaker. The whole country is calling for Koffa to resign—that, in itself, acknowledges that he remains the Speaker. A resignation can only happen if someone occupies the position.”

To help resolve the crisis, Bility and his caucus submitted a proposal —channeled through former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf — that calls for Koffa’s resignation and a new, transparent election for Speaker. According to the caucus, this is the only way to restore public confidence and reinforce democratic norms in the legislature.

Nonetheless, the Majority Bloc refuses to concede the point. They maintain that there is no vacancy, and as such, no need for elections. A member of the Bloc, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that while talks continue, the sides remain divided on Koon’s status. Still, they expressed hope that a resolution could be reached before the House reconvenes.

Adding to the anxiety within the Majority Bloc are internal fears that if a new election is held, Koon may not retain his position. Several members currently chairing lucrative and strategic committees — such as Ways, Means and Finance; Public Accounts; and Rules, Order and Administration — worry that a different Speaker could sideline them.

A Majority Bloc lawmaker confided to FrontPage Africa: “They are trying to create the impression that we now have the 49 votes needed to remove Koffa. But we are not convinced they are truly committed to Koon if a new Speakership election takes place.”

That skepticism is magnified by reports that Rep. Bility may run for the Speakership himself, potentially using substantial financial resources to sway votes from the Majority Bloc. Such a shift could strip existing committee heads of their posts and upend the internal power structure.

Meanwhile, Speaker Koffa has issued a pointed rebuttal to growing speculation that he is preparing to resign in exchange for political or financial inducements. In a public statement, he said: “I have become aware of statements circulating on social and other media platforms insinuating my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives. While I am deeply touched by the concern for my well-being and the integrity of the office I hold, I wish to address these matters with clarity and transparency.”

Koffa continued: “I have not resigned. I am actively engaged in discussions with stakeholders across the country, including colleagues from all sides in the legislature, to determine the appropriate path forward. I urge all citizens to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims that may cause confusion or division.”

As Liberia’s legislature teeters on the edge of a prolonged standoff, the current situation underscores how governance can become entangled with individual power plays. 

Monrovia – Angeline Mamie Worloh Koon, the wife of Majority Bloc’s Speaker Richard N. Koon, has filed a lawsuit in the Commercial Court, seeking a proper accounting of the income generated from their joint property. 

By Victoria G Wesseh, victoriag.wesseh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Mrs. Koon claims that her husband, who manages the property, has failed to provide her with details regarding the proceeds from rental income for over a decade.

Mrs. Koon and Majority Bloc’s Speaker Koon have been married for 25 years, since 2000, and they jointly acquired the property in March 2004, located in the Unity Conference Center Community, Hotel Africa Road, Virginia, Montserrado County, Liberia. 

The property was registered in April 2004 with both of their names listed in the archives.

The couple developed the property in 2005, constructing five duplexes, each with two apartments, totaling ten apartments. In 2007, they agreed to rent out the units to generate income for their family. 

However, according to Mrs. Koon’s lawsuit, Speaker Koon has not provided her with any information regarding the rental proceeds, despite managing the property himself.

The lawsuit states that, although Mr. Koon initially provided an income estimate of $5,110.00 for the first year of rentals (2007), Mrs. Koon has not been given any updates on the income generated in the years since. She claims that the speaker has failed to account for the rent proceeds, and despite their joint ownership, he has made decisions about tenants, collected rents, and managed the apartments without her knowledge or involvement.

Mrs. Koon alleges that efforts to obtain information about the property income have been met with resistance, and that Mr. Koon has even instructed tenants not to engage with her regarding rental matters. 

This issue, she claims, has been a source of ongoing contention, with a heated argument in 2015 where Mr. Koon told her to go to the apartments and ask tenants for receipts. Since then, she says she has been excluded from any involvement in the management of the property.

In her petition, Mrs. Koon is asking the court to compel her husband to provide a proper accounting of the rental income and grant her the 50% share she is entitled to as a co-owner of the property.

Monrovia – In response to persistent mobile network issues in Liberia, Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon has appointed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the role of telecommunications regulators and service providers. The committee, led by Margibi County District #2 Representative Ivar Jones, will examine the technical challenges behind the widespread network problems, particularly in the southeastern region of the country.

By Francis G. Boayue, francis.boayue@frontpageafricaonlie.com

The committee, which includes five other lawmakers, is tasked with working alongside GSM companies for the next two weeks to assess the status of network improvements in Maryland and other southeastern counties. The findings will be presented to the plenary for further action.

The investigation follows a session on Tuesday, where Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Commissioner Clarence Massaquoi, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sekou Kromah, and executives from Lonestar MTN, Orange Liberia, and LIBTELCO were summoned before the Majority Bloc. The meeting was convened to discuss solutions to the ongoing network disruptions that have plagued parts of the country.

The decision to call the telecommunications companies to account came after two separate communications from Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony F. Williams and District #3 Representative Austin B. Taylor. During the fourth-day sitting of the first quarter of the second legislative session, the two lawmakers raised concerns about the severe network problems in the southeastern region, which they said have negatively impacted the daily lives of citizens.

Both Representatives Williams and Taylor detailed how poor network coverage has hindered economic activities, disrupted business operations, and caused significant hardship for residents. The lack of reliable communication services has particularly affected traders and entrepreneurs who depend on mobile networks for transactions and coordination, including mobile money services.

The lawmakers have expressed serious concern over the ongoing issue, especially in Liberia’s leeward counties, and are seeking a detailed explanation of the technical factors behind the network failures, as well as the measures being taken to address the problem.

With the growing frustration over poor telecommunications infrastructure, the ad-hoc committee’s work is seen as a critical step toward ensuring accountability and improving network services for Liberians across the country.