Editorial: Cummings Rallies Opposition Consolidation

THE LEADER OF the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, has called on the opposition community to close ranks in holding the government of Joseph Nyuma Boakai accountable for upholding the rule of law, in a fair and transparent manner, and for managing and distributing national resources in ways that benefit all—not just the privileged few. “Our strength lies in opposition solidarity. The ANC, CDC, CMC, MPC, NPP, LPP, ALP, and all opposition parties together can create the change we seek for Liberia,” he added.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER of the Congress for Democratic Change’s 22^nd anniversary accused the Unity Party government of allowing Liberia to regress into dangerous tribal cleavages and partisan extremism instead of building bridges across ethnic and political lines, thereby deepening the cracks that already existed. “We are being reduced to tribesmen and partisans, rather than citizens bound by a common destiny,” Cummings observed.

CUMMINGS SAID THIS betrayal of leadership by the Unity Party government is unacceptable, noting that true leadership demands setting new standards, meeting higher goals, and taking responsibility—not hiding behind the failures of past regimes.

SPEAKING ON THREE cardinal points that have been the hallmark of the failure to change the country for the better, Cummings said the Liberian government has been a “a government of the few”. “We have failed because what should be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has become a government for the few. Governments in and governments out have prioritized only a few.

“POLITICAL TENSION AND civil strife in Liberia have always been rooted in unequal access to the nation’s wealth, and the deliberate exclusion of citizens from national decision-making. It is even more rife under this Unity Party government, which is no different. This cannot be excused as just a policy gap. Rather, it is a profound failure of past and current leadership,” he noted.

CUMMINGS OBSERVED THAT, at every stage of development, bold and visionary decisions are required to ensure fair distribution of resources and to foster reconciliation. “Yet our leaders have consistently chosen the path of division over unity; favoritism over fairness; and expediency over justice,” he said.

HE THEN TOLD all those aspiring for leadership that Liberia cannot afford leaders who excuse incompetence. “We need leaders who embrace accountability, drive social cohesion, and champion inclusive socio-economic development as the foundation of lasting peace, prosperity, and change.”