CDCians Reflect As They Celebrate 17th Anniversary -Draws Resolution including Increased Women Participation

When a group of Liberians—most of them then unknown and claiming grassroots orientation—here in Liberia and abroad, principally the United States, first toyed with the idea of prospecting the political environment in 2005, they were dismissed as misfits and thugs. But the characteristic failure of past “career” politicians to transform Liberia, and the attending unpopularity that came with the failure, made the Congress for Democratic Change the melting point and centripetal force around which the disenchanted majority of Liberians gravitated. In no time the CDC beat all the oldest political parties in terms of popularity that was further fueled by the standard-bearer, a soccer magnet of high international repute. And it was not long when the young party ascended to state leadership. There have been challenges attracting enormous public cynicisms. Amid all that, the Congress for Democratic Change, the pioneering member of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, is reflecting on 17 years of trials, tribulations and national leadership. The Analyst reports.   

A founding member of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), is celebrating 17 years of its existence, an existence marred by enormous challenges, failures, as well as victories.

In commemorating the day, the National Chairperson, Mulbah Morlue, issued a statement, a copy shared with The Analyst.

    The statement issued on the 27 of May, stated: “Today marks the 17th anniversary of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), which came into existence as a full-fledged political party on May 27, 2005 after being officially certificated by the National Elections Commission of Liberia.”

As part of activities accompanying the anniversary celebration, 22 newly-built modern shops/housing units located at the party’s Headquarters, will also be dedicated and turned over by the President to small business owners to enhance their economic capacities, the statement said, adding: “Nevertheless, as the party’s Standard-bearer H.E. George M. Weah leads a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Munah Pelham-Youngblood Institute Of Vocational And Technical Studies, the official commemoration event will now take place on June 17, 2022 at the National Headquarters of the Coalition for Democratic Change in Congo Town.

The CDC Chairman said, in anticipation of the event, a recently-held meeting of all organizational structures across the party has set the basis for a continuous mobilization activity in preparation for this important event. The party’s leader and Standard-bearer, President George M. Weah, will deliver the NEC statement, giving marching orders for the year ahead.

He statement said further: “In pursuit of this befitting celebration of glorious revolutionary history, the relentless sacrifices of our fighting forces impose upon us a duty to convey congratulatory messages and gratitude to the CDC founding ideologues, heroes and heroines; distinguished fathers and mothers, members, supporters, voters and young volunteers for contributing to the sustenance and remarkable growth and development of this vast democratic infrastructure.”

Though our movement is not a perfect one, but it is a proud mass-based architecture, a unique diversification of ordinary, yet dedicated and organized people from all walk of life who has come to meet and overcome obstacles even giants feared and avoided for decades before it,” Mr. Morlue.

“CDCians are a people of great history and have always accomplished the unthinkable in unity, love for one another and respect for all; this is why even in the face of monumental challenges, we have prevailed. We have traversed many hurdles and can do it again if we come together, knowing that our avoidable defeat will always lie in the disunity we must strive to prevent today, not tomorrow. It’s time to rise above the things that divide us as we continue to champion and serve the aspirations of the most important actors of our movement, THE PEOPLE.”

He acknowledge what he called the undisputed achievements of this great party and government under His Excellency George M. Weah, “we cannot also ignore the colossal challenges affecting thousands of our people. Hence, in coming months, collective efforts must continue to be accelerated to address the people’s and ‘Militants’ sustainable needs while working toward an equitable, just and non-sexist society for all.”

CDC Adopts 40 Percent Women Quota

The history of the CDC goes hand-in-hand with the party’s historic support for women rights, especially its distinctive women empowerment policy, which became the bedrock of the rise of many prominent women in Liberian politics.  As early as June 2005, the party had adopted Liberia’s first 30% gender quota, holding itself accountable to its scrupulous implementation. This feat inspired almost 28% rise in women candidature across the country during the 2005 General and presidential elections.

After 17 years, the National Executive Committee of the Congress for Democratic Change, meeting over the weekend, unanimously adopted a resolution requiring 40 percent Political Participation for Women throughout its leadership structures and parliamentary seats in pending general elections. This policy-decision henceforth, must be considered in the party’s internal and external democratic processes.

In furtherance, the National Executive Committee of the CDC, in addition to women already occupying several key positions, encourage the President to appoint more qualified women to significant positions in government as a necessary step to close the gender gap.

Meanwhile, the CDC is calling on all Partisans to reactivate the duties and obligations required of a member, by meeting needs, standing up for what is just and equitable, and protecting women, the weak and vulnerable, regardless of sex, tribe or religion.

Lastly, the CDC calls on all partisans to celebrate in peace, respect the rule of law at all times and remain tolerant to the rights, privileges and political views of others.