Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Deputy Speaker Thomas Paingor Fallah finds himself at the center of a growing political storm as members of the “majority bloc” within the House of Representatives issue an ultimatum for him to appear before them or face replacement. In a meeting on Thursday, the bloc adopted a motion compelling Fallah to report by next Tuesday, or risk his position being declared vacant.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The rising tensions stem from ongoing internal struggles within the House of Representatives, where a divide between two opposing factions—one aligned with Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and the other, the “majority bloc,” increasingly dissatisfied with Koffa’s leadership—has paralyzed legislative operations. Deputy Speaker Fallah has now become the focal point of these tensions, with both sides looking to him for decisive action.
The Majority Bloc, which has been critical of Koffa’s leadership, has made it clear that if Fallah fails to appear, they will push for a vote to replace both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Ultimatum and Threats of Replacement
A motion filed by Rep. Ivar Jones (CDC, Margibi District #2) called out Fallah for failing to respond to an earlier communication from the majority bloc. “With no response from the Deputy Speaker after being written to appear before us, the majority members of the 55th Legislature have convened to do the people’s business. We will write to him again, and if he fails to show up by Tuesday, we will have no option but to declare his position vacant,” Rep. Jones declared.
Additionally, the bloc adopted a motion instructing the Chief Clerk and her staff to join them in session by Tuesday of next week. Citing the House’s rules, the group asserted that as the majority, they had a quorum to conduct business and could elect a Speaker Pro Tempore to guide them through the election of new leadership.
House Rules and the Path Forward
The Majority Bloc referenced Rule 10 of the House’s rules, which outlines the succession of leadership in the event of a vacancy. Rule 10.1 states that in the event of the Speaker’s removal, resignation, or other disability, the Deputy Speaker shall act as Speaker until a new Speaker is elected within sixty days. In the absence of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the House may elect a “Speaker Pro-Tempore” to preside over the body.
On the other hand, the pro-Koffa faction, which failed to convene for session on Tuesday, also invoked House rules to justify their actions. They referenced Rule 12, which requires a simple majority of members for a quorum. Their session, presided over by Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Fallah, reportedly had 30 members in attendance, falling short of the quorum.
Fallah’s Political Crossroads
As the longest-serving members of the House, Deputy Speaker Fallah has witnessed the removal of two previous Speakers—Senators Edwin Melvin Snowe and Alex Tyler, both of Bomi County. With his deep experience in the legislature, political analysts says that Fallah is well aware of the stakes involved in the current crisis.
However, this moment represents perhaps the most significant test of his political career. Initially accused of being one of the masterminds behind the plot to remove Speaker Koffa, Fallah denied the allegations, publicly declaring his support for the Speaker, a fellow member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Nonetheless, when pressed to choose sides, Fallah indicated that he stood with the majority, leaving his ultimate loyalties unclear.
The CDC, led by former President George Weah, has since intervened, urging Fallah to stand with Speaker Koffa. Thus far, Fallah has heeded the party’s advice, but questions remain about how long he will continue to hold this position as the stalemate drags on.
Former Speaker Edwin Melvin Snowe, a longtime associate of Fallah, emphasized the Deputy Speaker’s critical role in determining Koffa’s fate. “[17] Seventeen years ago, Hon. Thomas P. Fallah stood behind me during the battle for democracy and the Speakership, as he is today,” Snowe wrote on Facebook, highlighting Fallah’s influence in the legislature.
Calls for Resolution
The standoff has attracted attention beyond the legislature. The Women in Peace Building Network (WIPNet), dressed in their iconic white and blue attire, gathered at the Capitol on Thursday, calling on both sides to follow the rule of law and protect Liberia’s hard-won peace. External pressure continues to mount for both factions to negotiate and find a solution.
Uncertain Future
As the deadlock drags on, both Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Fallah face an uncertain future. The Majority Bloc shows no sign of backing down, and observers believe that if Fallah were to abandon Koffa and side with the majority, it would deal a significant blow to the Speaker’s leadership. However, such a move could brand Fallah a traitor, fueling suspicions that he was behind the plot to remove Koffa all along.
For now, the House remains in a stalemate, with legislative business effectively at a standstill. As the pressure mounts, all eyes are on Deputy Speaker Fallah, whose next moves could determine not only his political fate but also the broader stability of Liberia’s House of Representatives, and by extension the 55th Legislature.