THE COLLABORATING POLITICAL Parties (CPP)—Unity Party (UP), Liberty Party (LP), All Liberian Party (ALP) and Alternative National Congress (ANC)—is clearly in consolidation trouble as the opposition’s alternative to President George Manneh Weah’s administration come the 2023 general and presidential elections, although the political leaders of the collaboration do not see things that way. On Friday, September 10, 2021, the ANC Political Leader, Alexander B. Cummings, walked out of the CPP’s meeting in protest over what he perceives as the decision of the political leaders of the collaboration against the framework document.
ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021, ANC Cummings informed the public in a press conference that his opposition to issues within the CPP does not in any way means he has left the CPP. He reaffirmed his commitment to remaining with the CPP, but urged his colleagues to respect the framework document. The disagreement and, possibly conflict, in the CPP therefore revolves around the framework document, the document on which the consolidation survives or the individual members go their separate ways.
ACCORDING TO ANC Cummings, the decision of the political leaders to extend the tenure of the CPP Chairperson, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, for one month is completely against the framework document of the CPP. He explained that there is no section of the framework document that calls for the extension of tenure of the collaboration chairperson and, therefore, allowing it is a complete violation of the framework document.
IN SPITE OF the sensitive nature of the developing scenario within the CPP, the ANC, in a communication to CPP Chairperson, Senator Lawrence, on Friday after his walkout action, said the decision of their political leader does not in any way suggest that the ANC is leaving the collaboration. The letter further indicated that the decision of the political leader walking out of the meeting is aimed at protecting the framework document.
CONTINUING IN THE perception that the situation in the CPP is not in anyway threatening, Senator Lawrence told reporters on Friday after the failed meeting that her office as chairperson will apply all effort to bring back Cummings to conclude on the discussion. She said Cummings’ decision to walk out is part of democracy, and will be resolved.
CPP CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE’S observation however appears repudiated by what looks like a deepening situation. The Political Leader of the All Liberia Party (ALP), Benoni W. Urey, has accused Cummings of tempering with the very CPP framework agreement he walked out of the meeting to protect, which indicates the development of acrimony. The Alternative National Congress (ANC) has however debunked the accusation, with Cummings underscoring the need for full adherence of the CPP framework agreement by signatories of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) as 2023 general and presidential elections draw nearer in Liberia.