THE COLLABORATING POLITICAL Parties (CPP), by its name, had a single intent: the consolidation of the opposition in Liberia to face the enormously popular incumbent President, George Manneh Weah, at the 2023 polls as no individual member of the opposition could face such a herculean task. At its inception, therefore, the CPP was purposeful, clearly defined, and appeared the commitment of its four member-parties—Unity Party (UP), Liberty Party (LP), Alternative National Congress (ANC) and All Liberian Party (ALP)—and the aspiration of the Liberian public. All of that, however, now seems to be a dream that did not see the light of day.
THE POLITICAL LEADER of the All Liberian Party (ALP), Benoni Wilfred Urey, was the first to go separate way. Urey’s battle with the leader of the ANC, Alexander Benedict Cummings, over accusation of Cummings altering the Framework Document of the CPP, was the primary reason for his departure. Now the Unity Party has followed. On Wednesday, February 16, 2022 the Chair of the CPP, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, called a press conference and parted with the collaboration, stating that he saw no way forward in the partnership.
“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.”
BOAKAI PROCEEDED TO reinvigorate hope in a public that had anticipated the CPP at the 2023 polls. “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.”
BUT BOAKAI’S EFFORT to redeem the moment has not gone down well with the Alternative National Congress (ANC), one of the architects of the collaboration. Responding to the UP exit, the ANC, in a two-page statement, said, “Based on recent actions, conspiratorial silence and inactions, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) is not surprised by the announcement of Former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, withdrawing his Unity Party (UP) from the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), for which, until today, he was chair. Not only is this withdrawal a breaking of the promise that Ambassador Boakai made to unite and reconcile the CPP when he assumed the rotational Chair, but also it is a failure of leadership. The withdrawal announcement also breaks the UP’s promise made to the people of Liberia that the CPP will remain the vehicle through which the bad leadership of Pres. George Weah will be replaced, and their hopes and aspiration for a better Liberia will be realized.”
