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Liberia: Sawyer Criticizes Political Parties
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
19 March 2008
Posted to the web 19 March 2008
Jimmey C. Fahngon
Monrovia
Former Interim President Dr. Amos C. Sawyer has criticized political parties in Liberia, saying they lack institutional organization or structure to operate as vibrant political institutions.
Dr. Sawyer said unless political parties can organize themselves in order to truly function as political entities, the attainment of multi-party democracy in Liberia would not be realized.
He said some of the political parties were only active or functional during electioneering period but ceased to exist when they lost the election simply because, institutionally, they are not organized to function as expected.
Dr. Sawyer spoke Tuesday at a two-day workshop held on the main campus of the University of Liberia. The workshop was organized by the Liberia office of the International Republican Institute (IRI/L) in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), for political parties and civil society organizations, under the theme: "Strengthening Political Party System in Liberia."
He stated that during past elections, some political parties were established only to get positions, adding "this is not healthy for the multi-party democracy system we want to build."
Dr. Sawyer said political parties must demonstrate the capability that they can govern Liberia by demonstrating such within their parties.
Dr. Sawyer, who is Chairman of the Governance Commission, said political parties must re-group to see what they can do to sustain multi-party democracy in Liberia adding, "you need to be creative."
He said political parties must consist of people who are organized with a set of ideas that will promote and seek the interest of the society rather than seeking their own interest.
Dr. Sawyer then called for a reform in the legal system of political governance to reflect present day reality.
Earlier, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Liberia, Henrietta Mensu-Bonsu said it was important for political parties to behave as government in waiting by engaging in activities similarly carried out by government.
She also said it was necessary that political parties work towards building bridges and improving relations among political parties on one hand, and political parties and other branches of government on the other hand.
Mrs. Mensu-Bonsu also stressed the need for an effective linkage between political parties in Monrovia and their representatives in other parts of the country.
For his part, IRI Resident Country Director Monte McMurchy said the sustenance of democracy depends on Liberians themselves, as such, political parties must do all they can to help sustain democracy in Liberia.
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Over 100 participants from political parties, civil society organizations, among others, are attending the workshop.
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