Monrovia, Liberia – May 29, 2024 – In a measured and thoughtful appeal, We the People, a devoted group of partisans within the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), have issued a statement calling for significant reforms within the party’s leadership. This call follows the CDC’s recent electoral loss and a period of introspection among its members. The group, headed by Jerome Saydee, Vice Chairman of the National Youth League of the Congress for Democratic Change, emphasizes the need for accountability and renewed strategic direction.
A Call for Accountability
In the wake of the recent electoral defeat, the CDC has entered a period of reflection. Supporters have voiced concerns over the party’s silence and the lack of accountability from those responsible for managing the campaign. We the People emphasize the need for transparency regarding the use of campaign funds and a clear strategic direction to restore trust and morale among dedicated supporters.
Need for Leadership Renewal
We the People, led by Jerome Saydee, have calmly and respectfully called for an urgent convention to be held by August 31, 2024, to elect new leaders capable of revitalizing the party. They believe that fresh leadership is necessary to effectively challenge the Boakai administration on critical national issues and to uphold the interests of the CDC and the people of Liberia.
Encouraging Active Participation
The group also addresses the role of CDC lawmakers, encouraging them to actively engage with and challenge the current administration on behalf of their constituents. They believe that active participation and representation are vital to maintaining the party’s role as a leading political force in Liberia. The call is made with a spirit of encouragement rather than condemnation, aiming to inspire lawmakers to fulfill their responsibilities.
A Path Forward: Convention and Unity
We the People underscore the importance of holding a democratic convention where grassroots members can choose the party’s new leaders. They highlight that this process will ensure that leadership is aligned with the party’s values and principles. The call for a convention is seen not as a threat, but as a constructive step towards rebuilding and strengthening the CDC.
Commitment to Collaboration
Despite the challenges, We the People reaffirm their commitment to working alongside President George Weah and any new leadership chosen through the convention. They express a readiness to support efforts to restore the CDC’s integrity, accountability, and strategic direction. The group believes that unity and collaboration are essential to overcoming current difficulties and achieving long-term success.
Invitation to Supporters
We the People invite all loyal CDC partisans to join them in advocating for these necessary reforms. They emphasize that the future of the party and the nation depends on their ability to address current challenges with a united and focused approach. The call is made with a sense of calm determination and optimism for a brighter future.
Read Full Press Release below:
Press Statement from We the People
For Immediate Release
Monrovia, Liberia – May 29, 2024 – We the People, dedicated partisans of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), stand united in unwavering support of our founder and eternal leader, President George Weah. We have sacrificed everything for this party and remain committed to its principles and vision. However, we are deeply concerned about the current course of the party and the urgent need for decisive action to address critical issues that threaten our unity and effectiveness.
Post-Electoral Silence and Accountability
Since our recent electoral defeat, the party of the people has fallen disturbingly silent. This silence is not only disheartening but also damaging to the morale and trust of our dedicated supporters. Those responsible for our defeat have yet to take responsibility for their actions, and there has been no transparency or accountability regarding the mismanagement of campaign funds. The current party leadership lacks any strategic direction, leaving us adrift in a time when strong, decisive leadership is more critical than ever.
We, the loyal partisans who have tirelessly worked and sacrificed for the CDC, can no longer remain silent. Our commitment to the party and its founding ideals compels us to speak out and demand the necessary reforms to restore our party’s integrity and effectiveness.
Weak Leadership and the Need for Change
The current leadership is weak and needs to be changed. We need an urgent convention to be held on later than August 31, 2024 for the party to decide the new crop of leaders. The current leadership’s inability to effectively challenge the Boakai administration on critical national issues is unacceptable. We cannot afford to have incompetent and docile leaders who fail to represent the interests of our party and the people of Liberia. There, We the People call for an immediate convention where the grassroots members of the party will have the opportunity to decide our next batch of leaders. This democratic process will ensure that our leadership is chosen by those who have the party’s best interests at heart and are committed to upholding our values and principles.
Condemnation of Inaction by CDC Lawmakers
We also condemn CDC lawmakers who are refusing to challenge the Boakai administration on critical national issues. Their inaction is a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people. We demand that they fulfill their responsibilities and hold the administration accountable or cease to hold any serious role in the party.
We the People demand that the party speak up and representatives in the Legislature speak up for the people on critical national issues. The silence on matters of national importance is not only a disservice to our supporters but also undermines our role as a leading political force in Liberia. We must be vocal and proactive in addressing the concerns and needs of the Liberian people.
A Call to Action
Failure for the executive committee to take action on a convention will result in us mobilizing the people against the party. Our fight will not be against the Boakai regime but the incompetent and docile party leadership. The party has a choice: either we risk insurrection or go to convention.
We the People stand ready to work alongside President George Weah and any new leadership chosen by the convention to rebuild and strengthen the CDC. Our commitment to the party and its ideals remains steadfast, but we cannot move forward without addressing the critical issues that have led to our current state of disarray.
We call upon all loyal partisans of the CDC to join us in demanding these necessary reforms. Let us come together to restore our party’s integrity, accountability, and strategic direction. The future of our party and our nation depends on our ability to confront these challenges head-on and emerge stronger and more united than ever.
