Liberia: ECOWAS Conflict Resolution Success Story: Mediation In War Time, Mediation In Peace Time
PHOTO: Parliament Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima from Togo, the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, meeting in plenary during the 2024 Second Session
By Our Staff Writer
the delegation mission will focus on gathering information about the causes of the impasse, its implications for stability in Liberia, and proposing recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority and the Liberian government.
Monrovia- The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) is leaving no stone unturned to prevent one of its success stories in conflict resolution, Liberia from slipping back into violent conflict, as a five-member delegation of the ECOWAS parliament is in the country to mediate in the protracted leadership crisis in the lower House of the Legislature, the House of Representative.
ECOWAS, which took the lead in brokering peace to end Liberia’s 14 years brutal civil was that officially ended in 2003, sent the mission to Monrovia, November 11, 2004 upon the directive of the current Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed TINUBU, And the mission of the sub-regional parliament comes as the struggle by the “majority bloc” headed by Deputy Speaker thomas Fallah intensifies with reports of simmering violence and threats of violence at the Captiol.
“I humbly request a working visit with you during our mission to engage in constructive discussions that can help us collectively find a resolution to this pressing issue,” ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima from Togo stated in her communication to the Liberian authorities.
The Parliamentary Mediation Mission of the ECOWAS Parliament is led by Hadja Memounatou IBRAHIMA, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, is in Liberia on a week-long working visit to resolve the political impasse, which officials say could threaten Liberia’s security and stability and that of the sub-region if it goies out of hand.
President TINUBU says the current mediation mission is in line with ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, and by virtue of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, adopted on 17th December 2016 by the ECOWAS Authority.
The delegation includes two Deputy Speakers and two Representatives and aims to address the underlying causes of the political stalemate while fostering dialogue among key stakeholders.
The ongoing standoff at the first branch of the Liberian government has virtually paralyze normal Legislative functions at the bi-cameral Legislature, with the Executive branch of government unable to submit the 2025 draft national budget since financial instruments must begin from the House as stipulated in the country’s constitution.
Article 34 d of the Liberian constitution says: “all revenue bills, whether subsidies, charges, imports, duties or taxes, and other financial bills, shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills. No other financial charge shall be established, fixed, laid or levied on any individual, community or locality under any pretext whatsoever except by the expressed consent of the individual, community or locality. In all such cases, a true and correct account of funds collected shall be made to the community or locality;”
According to an official communication, the mediation mission will focus on gathering information about the causes of the impasse, its implications for stability in Liberia, and proposing recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority and the Liberian government.
The Mission will seek to gather the root causes of the impasse and its implications on the stability of the state and engage with key stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution that strengthens the democratic credentials of Liberia. The Mission will also propose concrete recommendations to the ECOWAS Authority, Liberian authorities and stakeholders in maintaining Liberia’s impressive benchmarks of democratic systems with a view to maintaining peace.
It appears that by judging from past experiences in the West African sub-region, ECOWAS is determined to invest enough of its resources in conflict resolution and prevention.
Liberia’s embattled Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa has vowed that he will not resign and that if his colleagues who are bent on removing him must go session and test strength in plenary. But they claim they have a “popular majority” of 48-49 to oust him from his post in the 73-member House of Representatives.