Under the guise of "political decisions," Liberia's democratic institutions are being eroded by a series of alarming constitutional violations, with the latest incident involving the unlawful storming and vandalization of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa's office. This brazen act, led by Representative Kolleh and his allies, is emblematic of a troubling trend in Liberian governance: the increasing use of political justifications to flout the rule of law. Such actions not only undermine Liberia's fragile democracy but also set a dangerous precedent for lawlessness within the nation's highest legislative body [1][5].
The Liberian Constitution provides clear mechanisms for resolving disputes within government institutions, yet these procedures are being ignored in favor of arbitrary and forceful actions. By bypassing legal channels, lawmakers are effectively dismantling the very democratic principles they were elected to uphold [6].
This incident is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of constitutional abuses that have plagued Liberia over the past year. Violations of Supreme Court orders, unauthorized alterations to the national budget, arbitrary removal of public officials, and violent crackdowns on protesters have become disturbingly common [6][3]. These actions reveal a systematic erosion of accountability and an alarming shift toward impunity among Liberia's political elite.
The timing of this latest act is particularly symbolic. On Armed Forces Day—a day meant to honor national unity—and during a state visit by Sierra Leone's Head of State, such lawlessness sends a troubling message. It undermines Liberia's image as a country striving for democratic stability and instead paints it as a nation riddled with political chaos [3].
Amid the latest turmoil, the Rule of Law Caucus has rightly called on President Boakai to intervene decisively. His response—or lack thereof—will be pivotal in determining whether Liberia can restore faith in its democratic institutions or continue down a path of instability.
Equally important is the role of the Minister of Justice in addressing this crisis. The suggestion that Representative Kolleh and his allies acted with assurances of impunity raises serious concerns about the integrity of Liberia's justice system. The Minister must demonstrate that no one is above the law. Sadly, he has been one of the main influencers of these actions.[5].
This incident also brings to light a deeper cultural issue within Liberia's political landscape: the misuse of "political decisions" to justify unconstitutional actions. Such rhetoric has been weaponized to shield politicians from accountability, creating an environment where laws are arbitrarily applied or outright ignored. This dangerous trend not only weakens public trust in government institutions but also emboldens further acts of lawlessness [1][6].
The Capitol building, as a symbol of democracy, has now been desecrated twice in recent months—first by fire and now by vandalism—raising questions about whether these acts are politically motivated attempts to destabilize governance [2][3].
The Rule of Law Caucus's appeal to civil society, religious leaders, and international partners is both timely and necessary. Restoring order will require collective action from all stakeholders committed to upholding democratic principles in Liberia. This includes ensuring that political disputes are resolved through legal channels rather than through force or intimidation [1][7].
This latest act of lawlessness is not just an attack on Speaker Koffa but an assault on Liberia's democracy itself. It reflects a growing culture of impunity among political elites who prioritize personal or factional interests over national stability and constitutional order. To prevent further erosion of democratic governance, Liberia must urgently reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law by holding those responsible accountable and ensuring that such actions are never repeated [1][6][8].
_________________________________________________________________
Get Involved
Do you have additional facts to add to this insight or an opinion you would like to express?
Email Us
References
[1] https://thenewdawnliberia.com/house-to-forcibly-remove-embattled-speaker-koffa/
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp31dw4q253o
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/26/parliament-blaze-and-a-deadlock-why-is-liberia-in-a-political-crisis
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx8zj8qvvxo
[5] https://allafrica.com/stories/202501310166.html.Another Lawlessness at the Capitol
[6] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/breaking-news/liberia-speaker-koffa-allies-petition-supreme-court-over-alleged-constitutional-violations-by-house-majority-bloc/
Comments