MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh has launched a blistering critique of the House of Representatives following the controversial expulsion of Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah, describing the move as a “dangerous erosion of due process” and a troubling sign that Liberia’s democracy may be slipping into what he calls “political theater.”
In a strongly worded commentary issued just hours after the April 17 vote, Senator Konneh questioned whether Liberia’s democratic system is genuinely anchored in the rule of law or merely a façade masking deeper power dynamics.
“Is Liberia’s democracy truly about voice and due process, or is it just theater?” Konneh asked pointedly, setting the tone for a sweeping indictment of the Legislature’s actions.
Due Process ‘Abandoned’
At the heart of Konneh’s argument is the claim that the House violated constitutional safeguards in its handling of Kolubah’s case. Citing Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution, the senator stressed that expelling a sitting lawmaker requires strict adherence to due process, including notice, investigation, and the right to a defense.
According to him, those standards were not met.
“Due process under our law is not optional; it is inherent,” Konneh asserted. “Yet in the case of Representative Yekeh Kolubah, we are witnessing a troubling departure.”
He referenced reports that Kolubah’s legal team was denied the opportunity to adequately defend him before the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, a claim that, if substantiated, raises serious constitutional concerns.
‘Treason Is Not a Political Slogan’
Konneh also took aim at what he described as reckless attempts to frame Kolubah’s actions as treasonous, warning that such rhetoric dangerously misrepresents the law.
“Treason is not a political slogan. It is one of the most serious offenses under our law,” he cautioned. “Is Liberia at war? Is the Republic of Guinea Liberia’s enemy in that war?”
He emphasized that the Legislature has no constitutional authority to investigate or prosecute criminal offenses such as treason, noting that such powers rest with the Executive branch through law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies.
“The Legislature is not a criminal court. It is not a prosecutorial body. What we are witnessing is a dangerous blurring of constitutional boundaries.”
Echoes of the Past
Drawing parallels to the controversial 2019 impeachment of former Chief Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, Konneh warned that Liberia risks repeating past mistakes where legislative power was perceived to have been abused.
“Today, the same patterns appear to be reemerging with different actors following the same script,” he said, referencing widespread criticism of that episode, including a ruling by the ECOWAS Court that was ultimately ignored.
Dissent vs. Discipline
While distancing himself from Kolubah’s remarks on the Liberia–Guinea border issue, Konneh maintained that dissent, even when controversial, must be protected in a democracy.
“Criticism is not a crime. Dissent is not treason,” he declared. “Silencing a critic… does not strengthen democracy. It weakens it.”
He warned that the expulsion effectively disenfranchises the people of District #10, stripping them of a voice they democratically elected.
Voices from the Streets
To underscore the public sentiment, Konneh recounted encounters with ordinary Liberians who expressed disillusionment over the decision.
One elderly woman in Duala reportedly told him during the 2023 elections, “I vote because it is the only time anyone pretends to listen to me.”
Another young woman at the Capitol lamented Kolubah’s removal, saying: “I don’t always agree with Yekeh, but at least he says what we are afraid to say.”
Konneh argued that such views highlight a deeper democratic principle: that democracy must protect not only agreeable voices, but also dissenting ones.
‘Misplaced Priorities’ Amid Economic Strain
The senator further criticized lawmakers for focusing on political infighting while pressing national issues remain unresolved.
He pointed to rising costs of living and ongoing economic pressures, alongside President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s push for legislative approval of new banknotes and a proposed $45 million supplemental budget.
“These are serious national matters that require transparency, deliberation, and public trust, not procedural shortcuts that raise suspicion of ulterior motives,” Konneh argued.
Judiciary Steps In
In a dramatic twist, Konneh noted that the Judiciary has already intervened, issuing an injunction halting further proceedings and summoning House leadership to a conference scheduled for April 20.
“Are we now saying the Supreme Court is not relevant in the dispensation of due process?” he asked.
Call for Reinstatement
Concluding his commentary with an urgent appeal, Konneh described the House’s action as not merely political miscalculation but a fundamental breakdown of governance norms.
“What happened in the House is not politics. It is madness,” he declared. “Reinstate Honorable Yekeh Kolubah immediately!”
A Test for Liberia’s Democracy
As the controversy deepens, Konneh’s intervention adds significant weight to growing concerns about constitutional order, separation of powers, and the protection of dissent in Liberia.
Whether the House will revisit its decision or stand its ground may now depend not only on political will but also on the outcome of the pending judicial review.
For many observers, the unfolding saga is shaping into a defining moment for Liberia’s democracy, one that will test whether the rule of law prevails over the impulses of power.