By: Mark N. Mengonfia mmenginfia@gmail.com
MONROVIA-Despite the political rigmarole which has for some time running worn out the cohesiveness of the unity-wrecked Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) once solely determined to make President George M. Weah a one-term president, which to some extent, made many Liberians hopeful that the coming together of four political parties would have resulted into unseating the current President, indeed, the camel’s back is finally broken with the Unity Party (UP) divorcing the CPP, and is now on its own.
This was long coming in spite of the writing being crystal clear on the wall, as the parties have in recent times had sour relationship which landed into court over the alteration of the original framework document reportedly by ANC political leader Alexander B. Cummings by ALP political leader Benoni Urey, since then, CPP’s woes kept deepening with the trading of accusation and denial.
They have been in court Suring a counter Suring each other.
Urey was the first to have taken Cummings to court over the original marriage certificate (framework documents).
It was not too long when LP embattled political leader, Musa Bility dragged Abraham Darious Dillon to court as well for calling him (Bility) a criminal.
The ups and downs have persisted and the public has condemned them on public radios for their action of the in-house fight, a situation which the citizens have termed as unfortunate.
Recently, Urey was again the first to have threatened his withdrawal from the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) but he was slow in his action when yesterday, February 16, 2022 former Vices President of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai took a giant step out of the agreement (CPP).
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 in Monrovia, Mr. Boakai said, “…..may I say that after so much demand from our partisans, the leadership, and even the Executive Committee of the Unity Party, the UP has finally resolved to withdraw from the CPP”.
He said, “We all agreed that this is not only disheartening but equally disappointing and this has distracted us from our responsibilities to the Liberian people.”
He said, “Many of you have been very concerned and even worried over the way CPP, which was touted as a beacon of hope for Liberia, has been embroiled in seemingly ceaseless internal wrangling.”
READ FULL SPEECH BELOW
Political leaders, members of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP);
Our massive supporters wherever they may be;
Sympathizers, fellow Liberians.
Many of you have been very concerned and even worried over the way CPP, which was touted as a beacon of hope for Liberia, has been embroiled in seemingly ceaseless internal wrangling. We all agree that this is not only disheartening but equally disappointing and this has distracted us from our responsibilities to the Liberian people.
The Unity Party took over the rotational leadership of the CPP on October 15th, 2021, making it exactly half the period of our tenure yesterday. Today, I would like to give you a brief report of our stewardship as follows:
- We took over the CPP leadership with a good feeling of an opportunity to reconcile the already fractured collaboration and repair relations over the alleged altered framework document, as per our colleague, the ALP Political Leader. Already a committee report of all parties had resulted in bedlam, with the public fully engaged.
- You would recall that I personally attended all previous leadership turnovers, events, and meetings of the CPP in a show of support for every leadership and the desire to work together. I even campaigned with all collaboration Party leaders. You would also recall that during the turnover to me, all but the ANC leader and members attended, even though I had called Mr. Cummings personally the day before, and he responded by saying he was already in the United States to attend a meeting.
- The first meeting of the National Advisory Council, the highest decision-making organ of the CPP, could not hold because ANC had refused to attend. Under our rules, the absence of a single party from the four constituent parties constitutes no quorum because there must be at least a member from each Party to constitute a quorum to conduct business. The excuse then was that there was no agenda and no framework document to cause a meeting, even though a citation was sent way beforehand.
- The only meeting to have been held on December 2, 2021 ended in an uproar. It was there and then that I asked for an exclusive meeting with the three other political leaders to discuss and proffer a way forward for the CPP.
- That meeting was held on December 6, 2021. At the meeting, the Political Leader of ALP, Mr. Urey, asked the Political Leader of ANC, Mr. Cummings, to accept responsibility for the altered Framework Document as a way forward because the said alteration occurred during his leadership. Urey proposed that so as to bring the stalemate to a close. Mr. Cummings refused and proposed another committee as a response to my request for a way forward. So another meeting was scheduled. On the day set for that meeting, Cummings told me that he was scheduled to leave for the United States. Another opportunity was again missed.
- The much-talked-about trip to Ghana was a further manifestation of our pursuit to reconcile the CPP. The exacerbation of the conflict in the Liberty Party on the day of my return further deepened the conflict within the CPP.
- Fellow Liberians, partisans, supporters, we appreciate your desire to see a unified CPP. We are grateful for your massive support of our candidates in the December 8, 2020, Special Senatorial election. Let me assure you that all is not lost, Liberia will be redeemed. God is in control.
We have since held consultations with eminent persons, religious leaders, CPP Political leaders, our legal team for a way forward but none yielded favorable results in order to solve the problem.
Fellow Liberians, partisans, supporters, and sympathizers, you are all aware that political disagreements are resolved through negotiations or consensus. Our willingness to continue a CPP depended largely on our honest interactions and cooperation. Sadly, as of now, we see no way forward and so we have all decided to go our separate ways.
Many of you have told us how disappointed you are, and we understand your feeling of loss. Do not despair. Even though the CPP did not work out, the Unity Party is working with other political parties and individuals, and we can assure our supporters that there will be a more formidable and respectable partnership that will ensure president Weah is a one-term president. This we can assure you that your hopes and the hopes of all Liberians will be restored.
In closing, may I say that after so much demand from our partisans, the leadership, and even the Executive Committee of the Unity Party, the UP has finally resolved to withdraw from the CPP.
May God guide our decisions and save Liberia.
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