J. Edwood N. Dennis
31 December 2008
The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced the holding of its second national congress to prepare the ground work for its participation in the ensuing 2011 general and presidential elections.
The Chairman of the National Congress Organizing Committee, Nathaniel R. Patray, II told a news conference at the party's 9th Street headquarters Tuesday that the second national congress which is arranged under theme:
"Preparing for the challenges of future governance" will take place at the party headquarters in Sinkor, and will consider for discussion key national issues including the problem of inflation, responsibility and prevention of the economy and the danger of electoral fraud in an involving democracy.
According to him, the congress will run from January 4-7, 2009, and that there will be a symposium to be addressed by partisans J. Milton Teajey, he (Nathaniel R. Patray), and a Liberian economist, Lawrence M. Yates.
Besides that, the organizing chairman said the congress will pave the way for the holding of election for every position in the party, except for the standard-bearership, which is being occupied by Ambassador George Weah.
Partray said the second national congress will bring together partisans of the CDC as well as guests from the Liberian government, the diplomatic corps, representatives of political parties and the National Elections Commission (NEC), and that they use the time to settle the long standing leadership rift.
According to him, the party has already resolved to work with the leadership of Madam Geraldine Doe Sheriff as opposed to her rival Jushua Sackie, but observed that the national congress of CDC will harmonize the leadership dispute.
Mr. Patray noted that CDC as a strong political institution is concerned about the trend of developments, especially the wave of inflation, saying, "Therefore, the party has taken keen interest as it is making significant strides to find a solution before it holds on to state power in the country."
During the occasion, he said Monrovia City Mayoress, Ophelia Hoff Saytumah will welcome the anticipated 300 delegates to the City of Monrovia while Ambassador George Manneh Weah, first partisan of CDC, will make remarks.
He however felt short at disclosing the name of who will be the keynote speaker on grounds that arrangements were still being made.
This is the second time partisans will converge in a congress in keeping with their constitution to elect leaders and expound on other national issues. The party's first national congress was held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
However, Josiah Sackie, one of those claiming the chairmanship of the CDC, has issued a statement calling for the arrangement of an interim leadership to lead the party to convention.
According to him, the decision of the Geraldine Doe Sheriff faction of the CDC, perhaps the largest and influential group, was unacceptable since her leadership lacks the constitutional authority to hold the convention.
He furthered in the release that in an effort to end the nine month old leadership crisis within the party, a three man meeting was held with Amb. George Weah at which time he ( Sackie) claimed to have told Ambassador Weah that the best way forward to resolving the crisis was to set up an interim leadership that will lead the party to convention.
He has therefore threatened the use of every mean possible in with both the party and the Liberian constitution to stop the convention that start on Sunday.
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bravo bravo bravo to you my young man, i think you are one that only point out some points inorder for that party to go on smoothly.once again i appreciate stament. kam4
I agree with brother for so many reasons. firstly of all these guys must come to know that a party doesn't belong to a single person.secondly, Liberians have had more than experience so we expect people by now to see conflict resolution as the very first step.CDC hac come very close in that it has the suport of the people.what so ever they do now is going to reflect either positively or negatively on the party.once more i personally appreciate your comment.
It very undemocratic for any political institution to functioning with a democratic society to refuse to hold primary for its standard bearer position. The decision of CDC not to hold election for standard bearer position is another acts of dictatorhip that has long since hunted Mr Weah from the days of Lone Star. Mr Weah must committ to the democratic process by allowing a primary for the Standard bearer position. this action is not in the best interest of a man who want to be president of a democratic republic. I call on the leaderhip of CDC to fully follow the principles of Democracy for which we have sacrifice so much for then reverse it.
Twehsunday N Torbor Jr Groton, CT, USA
I agreed with you whole heartedly on the issue. This is the problem we have in Liberia. Political institutions in our country are only built around only few individuals and when those individual are absense from the political arena the institution don't survive as a viable political entity. Samuel Doe's NDPL and Charles Taylor's NPP are good example. CDC is another. What is the essence of having a political party without following the party's constitution. CDC constitution say that the standbearer and vice standardbearer should be elected as well as other party leaders. So why George Weah is trying to marginalize the whole process? Is it because he have the money? This is evidence that Weah is indeed a dictator.
My brother,I agree with you that dictorship is still breeding in the African Society. But sometimes we have to allow certain people to lead the way at certain time. Why can't the monkey claim the kingship title in the jungle? The monkey can say he is untouchable by any other animal because he is always up in trees. The fact of the matter is that the monkey in not strong and also not important in the jungle. Politics is some times built on personality and wealth. Had it not been for President Ellen J. Sirleaf,do you think the U.P. would'h won? Please keep Ambassador Weah in the front.
Mr. Sackie I don't know you.But I think I don't have to know you ,before I can talk to you. My point here,is concerning your CDC Party. This is a Party that many in Liberia have come to Love and trust, next after President Ellen Johnson's Unity Party. Do not kill the spirit of the Party and the Trust of the Liberian People,by creating In-House Power struggle among yourselves. Let me remind you that the Liberian People are very sensitive.If they continue to see the Party members in confussion, it will suggest to them that in Governance you will do the same,which will make them to loose hope in your Party. Stop it! Go and settle your problems in-house and not by seeking the Constitutional means.Convention must go on!!!