MONROVIA, Montserrado – Speaker Alex Tyler has finally recused himself from proceedings at the House of Representatives.

He made the announcement on Thursday during a press conference on the grounds of the Capitol Building.

Some members of the House of Representatives had asked Tyler to recuse himself from presiding over the body until cleared of charges he is facing related to a Global Witness report accusing him and several others of bribery.

The report accused Tyler and others, including Senator Varney Sherman, of receiving money to change a portion of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission law to allow British-based Sable Mining to gain mining rights over the Wologisi Mountain in Lofa.

The so-called anti-Tyler lawmakers have since refused to have Tyler preside over them, and they have been conducting separate sessions in the Joint Chambers of the Legislature, under the leadership of Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue.

Tyler said he was recusing himself because he recognized that the citizens’ interest and welfare should reign supreme above the interest of any individual, something he said all national leaders must know.

“If my recusal is the ultimate sacrifice that will move our country forward and end this current quagmire, I am herewith recusing myself from presiding over the plenary of the House of Representatives so that the business of the Liberian people can be fully addressed,” he said. “It must be noted that indictment is not a guilty verdict and it is indeed unfortunate that some of our colleagues have chosen to effectively and glaringly exploit and politicize what is purely a legal matter.”

For more than two months, normal proceedings at the House of Representatives have been paralyzed. Hearings into the draft national budget had also been stalled even though the fiscal year officially began on July 1.

As August 31 was the constitutional end of the fifth session of the 53^rd national legislature, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has since signed a certificate extending the session by one month, following a resolution by some members of both houses of the legislature.

Tyler praised representatives and senators who “boldly defended the constitution” by being on his side. “We remain extremely grateful to all those who have shown solidarity and support for our cause in defense of the laws of our land, and wish to assure them that we will do nothing to betray our collective commitment to justice and the rule of law,” he added.

Tyler characterized the move against him not as one driven by morality, as some of his fellow representatives have been claiming, but as an attempt by Sirleaf to further her agenda. He said he was informed by the Bomi County Legislative Caucus, who met with the president, that she accused him of undermining the country’s development agenda by refusing to pass certain legislations, which include financing agreements.

“At those meetings, she stated that she wants me removed as speaker on grounds that she cannot work with me any longer and asked them to convey same to me and this was directly communicated,” he noted.

But Tyler defended his work in the legislature. “For over ten years, when we ratified several agreements and passed key legislations, we did so in the best interest of the country. Equally so, when we deem certain legislations not suitable for the country, the necessary interventions were made and in some cases, we painstakingly rejected. It is unfortunate and at best regrettable that the president would now see our latter action as being uncooperative and undermining,” he said.

“Let it be emphasized that the Legislature should always maintain its independence and uphold its constitutionally assigned duties and responsibilities now and in the future.”

Tyler’s refusal to accede to calls for his recusal was causing rifts in civil society and in various parts of the government, with different bodies choosing sides.

Sirleaf had responded to a communication from Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue recognizing him as presiding officer of the House and committed the executive branch’s support. Meanwhile, 12 of the 30 senators signed a resolution affirming the senate’s commitment to do business with Tyler as the constitutionally elected Speaker.

The judicial branch also weighed in on the matter in a case brought on by Tyler where the court refused to sanction anti-Tyler lawmakers. The National Traditional Council of Liberia had also called on Tyler to step down from the speakership.

Moreover, as early as Tuesday, August 30, hundreds of women under the umbrella of Women in Peace Building Network gathered at the Capitol Building to petition lawmakers to resolve their disputes.

Cecelia Daniworlee, a member of the group said the crisis at the House was affecting the country and needed to be resolved.

“Liberia is facing a disgrace to the outside world due to the situation at the House,” Daniworlee said.

Grand Bassa’s third district representative, Gabriel Smith, has described Tyler’s recusal as belated. A member of the anti-Tyler lawmakers, Smith has promised that they would now return to a single session in the Chambers of the House of Representatives.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly characterized Tyler’s move as a resignation, rather than a recusal from presiding over proceedings. Tyler will still maintain all the privileges and title of the speakership except presiding over the plenary during proceedings.

Featured photo by Liberian Legislature