Unproven, No record that ECOWAS Parliament Decline Recall Request for Liberian Representatives
Claim: “Ecowas Parliament Declines Recall Request for Liberian Representatives.”
Source: Independent Probe News
Verdict: Unproven; no record that the ECOWAS parliament declined the recall request for Liberian Representatives.
Full Text: On Monday, February 17, 2025, The Independent Probe News, an online newspaper, published an article claiming that the ECOWAS Parliament has declined the recall request for Liberian Representatives.
It further said that Ecowas Parliament has reportedly decided not to comply with a request from the majority bloc of the Liberian House of Representatives to recall three of its members.
Independent Probe News claimed that the majority bloc’s request has raised significant questions about legitimacy and power dynamics in the Liberian legislature.
It concluded that sources indicate that the decision stems from the ECOWAS Parliament’s refusal to recognize the leadership of the majority bloc, led by the illegally elected speaker Richard Koon and supported by President Joseph Boakai.
The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the institutions of ECOWAS.
It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community serving as a forum for dialogue, consultation, and consensus for representatives of the people of West Africa to promote integration. It was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993
Verification: To verify this claim, TSM first visited the official Facebook page of the House of Representatives and found this communication.
"The house of representatives has taken steps to recall its representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament, citing concerns over the selection process and adherence to ECOWAS protocols."
"The house of representatives has taken steps to recall its representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament, citing concerns over the selection process and adherence to ECOWAS protocols."
The Stage Media, however, contacted the Independent Probe News through its managing editor, Chester Smith for detailed clarity on the claim.
Smith told our fact-checker that “unfortunately that article was earlier published by another outlet known as LIBdailymonitornews, which has closed ties with the majority bloc speaker Richard Koon.”
We also contacted Robert Haynes, director of press at the House of Representatives, on the claim. In response, Haynes said the plenary of the House of Representatives conducted elections next Tuesday, February 25, 2025, for the three positions to replace the current Representatives.
The elections brought forth incumbent members of ECOWAS, Moima Briggs-Mensah (Independent Candidate),. Augustine B. Chiewolo (Unity Party), and Samson Q. Wiah of the Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
The elections brought forth incumbent members of ECOWAS, Moima Briggs-Mensah (Independent Candidate),. Augustine B. Chiewolo (Unity Party), and Samson Q. Wiah of the Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
The election was held on Tuesday, the 11th day of the first quarter of the second session. Each candidate was elected unopposed because their colleagues trusted their leadership by voting for them on white ballots.
The newly elected members replaced Montserrado County District #6 Representative Samuel Enders and Nimba County District #9 Representative Taa Wongbe, but Briggs-Mensah was retained.
The newly elected members replaced Montserrado County District #6 Representative Samuel Enders and Nimba County District #9 Representative Taa Wongbe, but Briggs-Mensah was retained.
Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe, head of a delegation to the Ecowas Parliament, appeared on a live radio talk show 'Ok Morning Rush (2:13:35).' and was heard saying that the current Speaker, Richard Koon, can not recall Representatives from the Ecowas Parliament.
Snowe claimed that the decision by the House of Representatives will not be accepted by the ECOWAS Parliament, stressing that the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives should refrain from using internal disputes as grounds for recalling lawmakers and emphasized that such matters should be resolved within Liberia.
He also appealed to President Joseph Boakai, calling on him to remain neutral and avoid involvement in what he described as an unconstitutional recall.
Atty. Saidu Vasco Nyei said the election on Tuesday is in consonance with Article 8 of the ECOWAS charter on the Community Parliament, citing Article 7 (i) and (ii) of the charter on the election of members to the Community Parliament.
"Article 7 mandates that members shall be elected by universal suffrage of citizens or in the absence of universal suffrage, members of the Community Parliament shall be elected by members of the House of Assemblies of member states of the Community."
Snowe claimed that the decision by the House of Representatives will not be accepted by the ECOWAS Parliament, stressing that the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives should refrain from using internal disputes as grounds for recalling lawmakers and emphasized that such matters should be resolved within Liberia.
He also appealed to President Joseph Boakai, calling on him to remain neutral and avoid involvement in what he described as an unconstitutional recall.
Atty. Saidu Vasco Nyei said the election on Tuesday is in consonance with Article 8 of the ECOWAS charter on the Community Parliament, citing Article 7 (i) and (ii) of the charter on the election of members to the Community Parliament.
"Article 7 mandates that members shall be elected by universal suffrage of citizens or in the absence of universal suffrage, members of the Community Parliament shall be elected by members of the House of Assemblies of member states of the Community."
Another legal expert, Atty Sekou Karmon, agreed with Atty. Nyei said there is no community membership without national nomination. "ECOWAS can only reject the nomination if it believes the group taking such a decision is not the legitimate authority to act on behalf of the national parliament. I’m not sure ECOWAS wants to get embroiled in that."
Conclusion: Based on our research, we conclude that the claim made by the Independent Probe News Paper is unproven. There is no record that the ECOWAS parliament declined the recall request for Liberian Representatives
