Monrovia — Former President George Manneh Weah’s push for opposition unity is gaining momentum, with a group identifying itself as the Concerned NPP Partisans endorsing a consultative meeting convened by the Congress for Democratic Change despite National Patriotic Party Chairman George Mulbah’s position that the party will not attend.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The development adds a new layer to an emerging disagreement within the NPP over whether the party should participate in broader opposition consultations ahead of Liberia’s next political cycle.
Former President Weah, following his return from abroad, criticized what he described as the deterioration of democracy under the Boakai-Koung administration and announced plans to bring opposition political forces together for consultations.
Several opposition parties and political figures have since expressed interest in the initiative.
However, NPP Chairman George Mulbah has publicly stated that the party will not honor the invitation.
The NPP’s political leader, former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, served alongside Weah during his administration. Against the backdrop of the party’s leadership dispute, the Concerned NPP Partisans have now publicly thrown their support behind the CDC-led consultations.
In a statement issued Saturday, the group, which describes itself as comprising a majority of members of the NPP’s National Executive Committee, said it supports “genuine unity” among Liberia’s opposition political forces and fully endorses the consultative meeting.
“The opposition cannot afford unnecessary division, personal ambitions, or attempts by individuals to speak as though they alone represent the collective interests of the NPP,” the group said.
‘NPP Is Bigger Than Any Individual’
The Concerned NPP Partisans directly challenged Chairman Mulbah’s position, arguing that no single individual should claim to speak for the entire party.
They also questioned Mulbah’s role in the political negotiations and coalition-building efforts that led to the formation of the Coalition for Democratic Change, which included the NPP and ultimately brought Weah to power in 2017.
The group said Mulbah joined the NPP at a later stage and was subsequently appointed to a government position by then-President Weah.
The statement accused him of attempting to undermine political relationships and forces that, according to the group, contributed to his political resurgence.
“The NPP is bigger than any individual. The opposition movement is bigger than personal interests,” the group declared.
Concerned Partisans Praise CDC
The group also commended the CDC and former President Weah for what it described as solidarity with the NPP and its leadership during what it called an “exceptionally difficult period.”
The Concerned NPP Partisans said Liberia’s political environment requires dialogue, consultation and cooperation among opposition parties.
“No single opposition political party can afford to approach the future in isolation,” the statement said, urging political leaders to sit together, negotiate in good faith and work toward a broad-based opposition platform capable of presenting Liberians with a credible alternative.
The group further expressed appreciation to Weah and the CDC for maintaining their relationship with the NPP despite the challenges confronting the party.
Jewel Howard-Taylor’s Situation
The statement also addressed the current challenges facing former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who has recently been at the center of a major legal and political controversy.
The Concerned NPP Partisans said some individuals within the NPP had contributed to the difficulties confronting Howard-Taylor and warned that history would judge those involved.
“We will not be distracted by those who have chosen to become the ‘Judas Iscariots’ of this moment,” the group said, while urging NPP partisans and opposition supporters to remain calm and united.
The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to opposition unity and democratic principles.
Round One of Opposition Talks Held
Meanwhile, the first round of the opposition consultative meeting was held Saturday at Weah’s Jamaica Resort in Paynesville.
Several opposition political figures attended the gathering, which is expected to continue today.
Among the notable participants was Senator Samuel G. Kogar, who was recently expelled from the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR).
The MDR was a key member of the Unity Party Alliance during the 2023 presidential election, which brought President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to power after their victory over Weah and his running mate, then VP Taylor, in the runoff.
More opposition leaders are expected to participate as consultations continue, with the talks likely to test the willingness of Liberia’s opposition parties to overcome longstanding political differences and pursue a common strategy.
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