By Florence Joshua
The growing political storm in Liberia has deepened with an outspoken lawmaker, Representative Yekeh Kolubah being expelled over comments he made concerning a disputed border territory between Liberia and Guinea.
The decision has sharply divided the Liberia’s political class and triggered wider debate across the sub-region about nationalism, freedom of speech, and the limits of parliamentary authority.
Speaking during deliberations at the ECOWAS Parliament, Liberian lawmaker Moima Dabah Briggs-Mensah defended the controversial move, insisting she had “no regrets” supporting Kolubah’s expulsion.
The issue stems from escalating tensions in Liberia’s Foya District in Lofa County, near the Guinean border, where residents reportedly fled their homes following disputes over territorial ownership. During the crisis, Kolubah publicly suggested that the contested land belonged to Guinea — a statement many Liberian lawmakers viewed as undermining national sovereignty.
According to Briggs-Mensah, Kolubah’s remarks came at a highly sensitive moment when Liberia’s government was attempting to calm tensions diplomatically.
“There was a serious land dispute that made our people flee from their homes,” she said. “While the President and citizens were concerned about the situation, Hon. Kolubah went on media platforms and claimed Guinea was right.”
Liberia’s House of Representatives subsequently summoned Kolubah before a parliamentary committee to defend his statements. Briggs-Mensah said the lawmaker appeared with legal representation, something she argued violated parliamentary procedure because legislative hearings are not conventional court proceedings.
She accused him of refusing to cooperate with lawmakers before walking out of the proceedings, an act she described as disrespectful to the plenary.
The fallout eventually led to a decisive vote by lawmakers to remove him from Parliament.
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