MONROVIA – Those who had thought Grand Kru Representative J. Fonati Koffa – whose House Speakership was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of Liberia after he was purportedly ousted by some of his colleagues and humiliated – would have reacted to the Court’s ruling militantly and arrogantly might be disappointed. It seems his “Kruly” fight, upheld by the High Court, won’t go beyond the final edict, not only proposing some kind of transition for his “honorable” exit, but also pledging in his victory speech that “the ruling of the Court will be our last bus stop”. The Analyst reports.
Many exuberant and radical persons would have decided, if being in Fonati Koffa’s shoes, to hold on with the Speakership of the House of Representatives for as longer his term would last, having heard the Supreme Court of Liberia ruling in their favor, as a deviant and not-illegal move to settle scores with those who over threw him and subjected him and his followers to excruciating political treatments.
But, apparently, this is not how the Kru man is proceeding. It seems he has grounded arms, sketching a softer landing and stretching arms of friendship to his crucifiers.
Responding to Supreme Court judgement upholding his speakership Wednesday, April 23, the House Speaker said: “Today the Supreme Court of Liberia reaffirmed and upheld the rule of law in what has term as legislative impasse. As w pledged the ruling of the court will be our last bus stop and the court has rule effectively recognizing that our leadership hold the constitutional mandate of the first branch of government and we welcome that ruling.”
He saluted and gave credit to his colleagues who have stood up for the rule of law at great peril to their political and financial lives.
“My sincere salute,” he said in a press conference immediately after the Supreme Court gave its judgement in the bill of information he filed regarding an earlier ruling of the Court.
“Society become great when ordinary men and women rise up to do extraordinary things. Today, you walk into history with the wings at your back and the thanks of a grateful nation,” Koffa said.
Continuing, he said: “To the hundreds of thousands of Liberians here and around the world whose unbending needs prayed with us tested the words of encouragement, held us up lest we fall, and believe in us, we are truly grateful. Without you, this advancement in our democracy would not have been possible. We will always remember. We will always be proud. And we will always be your servant.”
Koffa also had reconciliatory words for his opponents. He said: “To our colleagues on the other side, we identify with your just grievances and call on you to join us and end the stalemate at Capitol Hill. Come let us reason together.”
Quoting US President John F. Kennedy, who said, “Remembering on both sides that civility is not sign of weakness. And sincerity is always subject to prove,” the Speaker of the House emphasized the need to negotiate, in his words, “Let us not negotiate out of fear, but let us not fear to negotiate.”
The promised to reach out to Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Richard Koon so that “we can establish a joint reconciliation and transitional committee”.
The Speaker said he was not unmindful that reconciliation and progress will require that he make the ultimate scarifies, “and I am not unwilling to pay that price”.
“But please let us show this nation how democracies are built,” he stressed.
Comments are closed.