Monrovia — Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has raised serious concerns over the state of Liberia’s democracy, warning that recent actions by the House of Representatives in the case of expelled lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah could undermine constitutional order and due process.
In a strongly worded statement, Konneh questioned whether Liberia’s democratic system genuinely reflects the will and voice of the people or has devolved into what he described as “theater,” where decisions are shaped by emotion, fear, and political influence rather than law and reason.
Reflecting on Liberia’s electoral culture, the senator argued that while voting remains a powerful symbol of participation, many citizens feel unheard outside election cycles. He recounted conversations with ordinary Liberians who expressed frustration that their voices are only acknowledged during elections, suggesting that democratic processes are sometimes used to manage public discontent rather than address it.
Konneh’s remarks come in the wake of the controversial expulsion of Montserrado County District 10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, a move he believes raises significant constitutional questions. He pointed to Article 38 of the 1986 Constitution, emphasizing that any expulsion of a lawmaker must strictly adhere to due process, including proper notice, investigation, and the right to defense.
According to Konneh, reports that Kolubah’s legal team was denied the opportunity to fully represent him, along with broader concerns from legal analysts, indicate a potential breach of these constitutional guarantees.
The senator also pushed back against suggestions that Kolubah’s actions could amount to treason, describing such claims as legally unfounded and politically dangerous. He stressed that treason is narrowly defined under Liberian law and falls strictly within the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch through law enforcement and prosecutorial institutions, not the Legislature.
“The Legislature is not a criminal court,” Konneh noted, warning that any attempt by lawmakers to assume prosecutorial functions risks blurring the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
Drawing parallels to past controversies, Konneh referenced the 2019 impeachment of former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, which was widely criticized and later ruled against by the ECOWAS Court. He cautioned that similar patterns of legislative overreach may be reemerging, potentially eroding public trust in governance.
While acknowledging that Kolubah’s statements on the Liberia–Guinea border issue may have been “reckless and uninformed,” Konneh maintained that dissent should not be criminalized. He argued that silencing controversial voices weakens democracy and disenfranchises constituents who elected them.
The senator further criticized what he described as misplaced national priorities, noting that pressing economic challenges, including rising prices of basic commodities, are being overshadowed by political disputes. He also highlighted ongoing legislative considerations, such as a proposed $45 million supplemental budget and plans to print new banknotes, calling for transparency and careful deliberation on such critical matters.
Konneh’s statement also referenced a reported intervention by the Judiciary, indicating that the Supreme Court has issued an injunction halting further proceedings related to Kolubah and has summoned House leadership to a conference scheduled for April 20, 2026. He questioned whether the authority of the Court is being respected in the unfolding situation.
Concluding his remarks, the Gbarpolu lawmaker described the developments in the House as deeply troubling and called for the immediate reinstatement of Representative Kolubah, urging a return to constitutional order, respect for due process, and a renewed focus on governance that serves the Liberian people.
