ANC’s Cummings Speaks to Stalemate in House Crisis -Wants Quarreling Parties Put Country First, Heed Rule of Law

MONROVIA – For the first time since political firefights erupted at the House of Representatives between two seemingly grimly determined factions – a group of mutinying lawmakers calling themselves ‘majority bloc’ on the one hand and House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and supporters on the other – one of Liberia’s prominent political leaders, Alexander B. Cummings, has spoken. In a statement issued in Monrovia yesterday, the Collaborating Political Parties former standard-bearer, sent out some “diplomatically strong” words for protagonists on Capitol Hill, amongst other things, asking them to put Liberia’s interest first, and to follow the rule of law process. The Analyst reports.

The continued stalemate between power-contending parties in the House of Representatives of the 55^th National Legislature has been attracting reactions nationally and internationally, with various institutions and eminent persons calling for amicable settlement and return to normal.

The latest individual adding words of wisdom is Alternative National Congress’ standard-bearer Alexander B. Cummings who November 11 issued his version of perspective on the imbroglio, essentially urging all parties to the conflict “to put the interest of the Country and the Liberian people high above any and all other considerations by seeking recourse through the Constitution and laws which they have sworn an oath to uphold and defend”.

The prominent Liberian politician and businessman said in a statement that the crisis in the House of Representatives also requires a deep reflection on the part of our other Branches of Government as they discharge their duties and responsibilities under the Constitutional doctrine of ‘separate but coordinate’.

He said it behooves both Branches of the Executive and Judiciary to act to resolve and not complicate the current crisis, as they owe it to the Liberian people and to posterity to do so.

“It must never be lost on all concerned that we live in a rapidly changing and competitive interconnected world,” Cummings said. “The actions or inactions of any one branch have serious implications for the perception of our shared determination and commitment to building a society governed by the rule of law.”

According to him, the speedy resolution of the current stalemate in the first Branch of Government will not only demonstrate leadership at home but will project a positive image abroad that Liberians are a responsible member of the comity of nations capable of resolving our governance challenges without external intervention.

He added: “We will continue to encourage honest dialogue and negotiation, on all sides, within the perimeters of the rule of law. We must continue to give our citizens hope that change is possible and progress is possible. We cannot continue to do the same things over and again and expect different results.”

He expressed alarm that for about a month now, Liberia has been engulfed in a looming political and Constitutional Crisis which has serious negative implications for the country’s fledgling democracy and the socio-economic development of the Liberian people.

The ANC leader reflect on the fact that the House of Representatives has been locked in what appears to be an internal power struggle that have potentially placed the entire legislative function of the Government in a state of “operational paralysis”.

“At one end of the divide, some aggrieved members of the House are seeking the removal of their elected Speaker, while at the other end some members are resisting what they described as the violation of the Speaker’s Constitutional rights to Due Process and the Rules of the House,” he noted.

He wondered why is it that despite the advice of the Supreme Court, through a Conference of the parties held recently in the Chamber of Justice Yemie Gbeisay to amicably resolve the crisis in keeping with Due Process, both sides remained adamant and dug-in their respective positions.

The situation has created an impasse which requires bold, honest, and sincere intervention and mediation to avoid further deterioration.

Cummings further observed that the stalemate in the House of Representatives has posed the most serious challenge to Constitutional order and a threat to Liberia’s nascent democracy, asserting, “While we acknowledge the right of each side to pursue their legitimate concerns, it is important to emphasize that all actions must be carried out within the confines of the rule of law and Constitutional order.”

He reminded parties in the conflict that rule of law and constitutional order are cornerstones of democracy and economic development which cannot and must not be sacrificed in the name of politics.

“Without respect for the Constitution and rule of law,” he added, “the nation cannot claim to have stability.

“This in turn will make it difficult to attract foreign direct investment, boost donors’ confidence, and reassure citizens and residence of protection under the Constitution and laws of Liberia. It goes without saying that politics without guidance of the law will only invite chaos and undermine development.”