Barely a week after junta-style Speaker Richard N. Koon’s leadership replaced Representatives Taa Wongbe and Samuel Enders at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, pictures were seen on Monday, March 1, 2025, showing the lawmakers attending the opening of first Extraordinary Session in Nigeria.
It appears that Koon’s instruction to Chief Clerk Mildred Siryon to inform the ECOWAS Parliament of the replacement was rejected because replaced lawmakers are still participating in the Parliament’s session.
According to Rule 5 of the ECOWAS Parliament, no member can be replaced while serving as an active member of parliament, except due to death, resignation or incapacity.
Representative Taa Wongbe in a Facebook post stated that: “Here at ECOWAS Parliament with colleagues for the 1st Extraordinary Session for ECOWAS. 48 Laws of Power/Law #9.”
Representative Wongbe was seen in the picture with Liberia delegation, including Senator Edwin M. Snowe, Senator Alex Tyler, Representative Moima B. Mensah and Representative Samuel Enders at parliament.
From all indications, Senator Edwin M. Snowe’s statement that each member of the Liberian ECOWAS Delegation was serving a four-year tenure and cannot be replaced until their tenure is over was correct.
It can be recalled on February 25, 2025, the House of Representatives conducted an election per its established rules and procedures, replacing Montserrado County District #6 Representative Samuel Enders, Nimba County District #9 Representative Taa Wongbe, while retaining Bong County District #6 Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah, who had previously represented Liberia at the ECOWAS Parliament.
This decision for the recall of the lawmakers at the ECOWAS Parliament was due to concerns raised over the selection process and adherence to ECOWAS protocols.
The request came from Representatives James Kolleh and Johnson Williams, calling for an immediate withdrawal of Liberia’s representatives in the regional legislative body.
The election was conducted on a white ballot to elect Representative Augustine Cheawolo, Representative Samson Q. Weah, and retain Briggs-Mensah as the new delegation to represent the House of Representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament. However, this action may have taken no effect.
