Following the election of a speaker after months of power struggle within Liberia’s House of Representatives, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) is calling on members of that august body to reconcile their differing issues.
The House, after eight months of turbulence, elected Montserrado County Electoral District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker—the second of the 55th Legislature.
Rep. Koon, who had served as Speaker of the “Majority Bloc” over the last six months, barely two months into the political stalemate on Capitol Hill, obtained 46 votes, while his opponent, Nimba County Electoral District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility, got 26 votes.
The election followed the resignation of Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, whom the Supreme Court legitimized in its ruling of a bill of information filed by him (Fonati) on April 23. Upon the resignation, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah presided over the House and organized the process a day later.
In a statement issued Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (National Unification Day), the CSO Council, chaired by Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, extolled all members of the House for the peaceful and well-organized process.
However, the council urges all members to unite under one umbrella to work in the interest of the Liberian people, who have cast their confidence in them.
NCSCL observes that the long-standing political brouhaha has to a large extent delayed and stalled several developmental initiatives that would have benefited the country.
“This is a time to embrace each other and thank God that they have begun the first step. If we must change this country for the better, the change must start now and from our first branch of government, specifically the House of Representatives,” reads the statement.
The council indicates that the need for reconciliation is imperative because decisions made at the legislature are crucial to shifting the destiny of this country in a more positive way.
“As we observe this National Unification Day, we reiterate our call to members of the House of Representatives to lead the way to national healing and reconciliation because they are the direct representatives of the over five million Liberians,” added the statement from NCSCL.
