MONROVIA: The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has got the biggest boost yet in its build-up to the November 14 runoff. Despite its questionable poor showing in the first round, the Collaborating Political Party (CPP) is widely believed to be one of the most formidable opposition political parties with entrenched national membership and impressive manpower and economic wherewithal. Following the first round, the CDC and former ruling Unity Party made overtures and advances to get the CPP on their respective sides during the runoff. Now, the CPP finally decided, and during the weekend, its Executive Committee delivered its endorsement statement favouring CDC and its President, George Manneh Weah. As The Analyst reports, the party says it exhaustive all internal debates and mechanisms after which they voted unanimously to join the ruling party in the runoff.
The Collaborating Political Parties of businessman-turned politician, Alexander B. Cummings, has finally found its line in the pending crucial runoff slated for November 14, 2023.
At a colourful program held by the party in Monrovia on Friday, 3 November 2023, and attended by a swarms of partisans, including top officials, the party said officials of its constituent members –the Alternative National Congress (ANC) and the Liberty Party (LP) “deliberated and, and having considered all other things, voted for one party”—the CDC.
“On account of the mandate of the executive committees of LP and ANC, it is my distinguished honor to announce that the partisans and executives of the CPP have endorsed and will support the re-election of President George Manneh Weah and Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC),” Cllr. Aloysius Toe, Secretary General of the CPP declared.
In an official endorsement statement read and delivered by Cllr. Toe, the CPP said its decision to choose one of the parties in the runoff was not “easy and comfortable” because members of the CCP had consistently criticized and differed with the current ruling party (CDC) on the issues of governance and management of the country’s resources and consistently voiced and held skepticism for the former ruling Unity Party’s ability to institute good governance and prudent management of the economy.
“These drawbacks on both sides made the decision to choose and prefer either party, a very tedious and uncomforting experience,” the CPP said, adding however it settled down for the ruling party.
The party said based on the demands of partisans to pick a side, the Standard Bearer of the CPP, Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, set up a team of five persons, headed by Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, to engage in meaningful discussions with the two parties going into the runoff to inform their final decision.
The desire to hold discussions with both parties was very important to us, Cllr Toe said, adding: “It was important to us because we promised the Liberian people that we would work to change the system to the benefit of all Liberians. Although we did not win the election, we also believe that our support to any party must be driven by a desire for change and that party’s commitment to our change agenda.”
It can be recalled that the CPP placed before the its two political suiters an agenda for discussions. It’s preconditions were multiple.
- Commitment to gender equality. We must prioritize the passage of the minimum 30% law for women participation and membership in the Legislature. We must also seek the appointment of women to the cabinet with a view to achieving, at least 40% inclusion of women in the cabinet.
- Commitment to establish a National Youth Service Program to address improving social cohesion, empowerment, employability and civic duties.
- Commitment to provide preferential loans and business development support programs to Liberian entrepreneurs, especially for women and youth.
- Commitment to Establish a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. We must end the culture of impunity in our country, and seriously seek to reconcile and unite our people under the rule of law.
- Commitment to undertake a review of the Liberian Constitution with a view toward strengthening democratic governance and the unity of the Liberian people.
- Commitment to Judicial Reform. We must improve access and affordability to justice, seek a review of lengthy litigations merely on procedural grounds, establish a claims court, and take steps to improve and strengthen the independence of the judiciary, as well as the capacity of investigatory agencies.
- Commitment to Decentralize Public Administration. We will not sustainably develop Liberia until we ensure the provision of basic service delivery to Liberians across the country.
- Commitment to continuous audits with a view toward implementing recommendations therein as well as the strengthening of internal audit systems across ministries, agencies and public institutions, enforcing the declaration of assets, and auditing the legislature.
- Commitment to simplify the tax code and rules and regulations for establishing businesses to make it business-friendly and accommodating to Liberian entrepreneurship.
- Commitment to end drug peddling and trafficking. Nothing is threatening Liberia’s future more than the drug epidemic.
- Commitment to Electoral Reform to avoid the repeat of electoral fraud.
- Commitment to Religious Tolerance to ensure an inclusive Liberia.
“After several meetings and intensive discussions with both parties, both CDC and the UP agreed to all that the CPP requested,” Cllr Toe continued. “The ultimate decision to choose and support one party then fell the executive committees of the Liberty Party and the ANC.
“The LP and ANC executive committees deliberated and, and having considered all other things, voted for one party. On account of the mandate of the executive committees of LP and ANC, it is my distinguished honor to announce that the partisans and executives of the CPP have endorsed and will support the re-election of President George Manneh Weah and Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).”