Four opposition political parties here have finally signed an official document, cementing their commitment to collaborate in pending elections, including the 2020 Special Senatorial election and the 2023 Presidential and Representative elections, respectively.
The All Liberian Party (ALP) of businessman-turned politician Benoni Urey, Alternative National Congress (ANC) of former corporate executive Alexander Cummings, Liberty Party (LP) of Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, and the former ruling Unity Party headed by former Vice President Joseph Boakai seem very determined to engage President George Manneh Weah and his governing Coalition for Democratic Change on governance issues.
At a formal signing ceremony Thursday, 21 February held at the headquarters of the former ruling Unity Party in Cong Town, the parties agreed among others, to commit to forging, branding and/or rebranding, and supporting a common national interest upon which the opposition may collaborate.
They vow to keep focus on the welfare of the people, and not allowing their political differences and personal ambitions to derail the cooperation, and to openly and consistently engage and collaborate on various issues of concern to the people whom they represent, as well as establish common national positions.
According to the agreement, the collaborating political parties are convinced that a fair, transparent and competitive democratic process is vital to Liberia’s long-term prosperity and security; recognizing the role of political parties as indispensable partners in national development and the strengthening of the country’s young democracy.
It says the parties are aware of the weight and strength of political leaders’ collaborative and collective opinions on matters of national leadership, rule of law, and accountability, as pillars of good governance; recognizing the sacred responsibility always entrusted in national leaders by citizens to represent their interests, and to commit and contribute at all levels of national engagement and development, being cognizant that Liberia’s political process needs a selfless approach that subordinates individual aspirations and ambitions to the national good.
The document says the parties are determined to work together for the survival of Liberia, sustainability of peace and prosperity which are of utmost priority, while acknowledging individual and collective responsibility to reverse the deteriorating situation in the nation.
The parties also acknowledge the importance of multi-party democracy, struggle for national inclusiveness, and invite all other parties and/or actors with similar values and principles to come onboard.
Meanwhile, the parties continue that their respective National Executive Committees will move expeditiously to establish and endorse frameworks and modalities of the collaboration.
By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor –Editing by Jonathan Browne
