Liberia: MOVEE Signs Resolution To Support The Second Term Bid of Pres. Weah; Resolves Committee To Join CDC
MONROVIA – Ahead of the much anticipated ensuing October 2023 general and presidential elections in Liberia, the New Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has officially endorsed the second term bid of President George Manneh Weah, with an overwhelming intent to form a part of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to guarantee a one round victory for the incumbent.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
It can be recalled that the National Executive Committee of the party on Sunday, October 9, 2022, mandated its Political Leader and Standard Bearer Ambassador Dee Maxwell Kemayah to negotiate with any and all political parties whose philosophies and ideologies align with that of the New MOVEE, and to initiate negotiations to either form a coalition or an alliance in order to field a single presidential ticket in the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.
The mandate was in accordance with Article XI, Section 2a of the party’s constitution.
Ambassador Kemayah is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs in Liberia. He was elected in absentia at the party’s Special National Emergency Convention held on September 17, 2022.
MOVEE took the decision to endorse President Weah second term bid at a special emergency convention held at its headquarters in Paynesville, outside Monrovia on Saturday February 25, 2023.
The 75 delegates who were in attendance from various counties across the country unanimously endorsed the decision.
In a resolution signed by all of the delegates, the party disclosed that in pursuant of Article VII Section 2(cc) of its constitution, its Political Leader Ambassador Kemayah has officially informed the National Executive Committee, through the National Chairman, Robert M. Sammie, of the decision to join the CDC and support the re-election bid of President Weah, in the ensuing October 10, 2023, Legislative and Presidential elections and mandated the National Leadership of the party to complete the formalities to enable the MOVEE formally join the CDC.
Article VII Section 2(cc) of the party’s constitution states that: “the National Executive Committee shall be the Only Body in the absence of the sitting of the National Convention that is clothed with the authority to make a decision on whether to support or endorse a political party or candidate outside of the Movement for Economic Empowerment, that is, if MOVEE decides or resolves not to field a candidate in any particular election.”
“WHEREAS, the H.E Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Political Leader of the Movement for Economic for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) WHEREAS, Article VI Section 2(a) & (b) state that the National Convention of MOVEE shall be the highest decision making body of the Party; and shall approve all policies and programs of the party; WHEREAS, the National Convention at its Special National Emergency Sitting held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, received and endorsed/approved the decision of the H. E Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Political Leader, that the MOVEE formally joins the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and supports the reelection of H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia’”
The resolution continued: “the Special National Emergency Convention of MOVEE has resolved that the National Chairman leads a gender-inclusive team of relevant National Executive Committee members to consummate the formalities leading MOVEE to formally join the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and report to the Political Leader; That, in consultation with the Political Leader, the Chairman organizes and executes a program befitting the occasion marking the signing ceremony of the Framework Document of the CDC at MOVEE’s Headquarters in Paynesville.”
Opting one round victory
The resolution also called for the National Chairman of the New MOVEE to ensure the effective dissemination of the party’s decision to join the CDC to all partisans, supporters, sympathizers, and well-wishers of the party in order to safeguard against misinformation and strengthen the party’s national initiative under the theme “MOVEE Moves to the People,”.
According to the resolution, the New “MOVEE Moves to the People” endeavor is aim at locating, recruiting, organizing and mobilizing additional 511,000 eligible voters for the sole purpose of ensuring a “One-Round” victory for President Weah.
Speaking earlier, the New MOVEE Political Leader Ambassador Dee- Maxwell Saah Kemayah, recognized theopinions of critics, and detractors, who have attempted to pre-empt the party’s choice of candidate, based on the fact that he currently serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of cabinet of the Republic of Liberia in the Administration of President Weah.
“While my family and I are extremely grateful to H. E. President, Dr. George Manneh Weah, and remain forever indebted to him for this great honor to serve in his government in distinguished positions, I must state categorically that neither the unique tradition and practices of the New MOVEE nor my personal uncompromising principles and core values and conviction can permit me to use any of these personal gains as criteria for judging what is best for the Liberian people. Please note that government positions held by partisan of the New MOVEE were not, and will not be considered in determining which presidential candidate and party or coalition or alliance the new MOVEE will support and partner with for the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.”
Ambassador Kemayah disclosed that the party’s decision for the selection of a preferred presidential candidate was based upon the suitability, competencies and skills, qualification and compatibility of President Weah which align with MOVEE political ideology and philosophy, to the best interest of Liberia and the Liberian people.
He emphasized that MOVEE choice of candidate was, and will be based on what is in the best interests of Liberia and the Liberian people, taking into account the current situation and the presidential candidate’s continuous unflinching demonstrated practical commitment to continued growth and development and transformation of Liberia and the Liberian people, as evidenced by his or her past irreversible track record.
“Mr Chairman, esteemed members of the National Executive Committee, distinguished delegates and fellow partisans, Liberia is at a defining moment to decide whether we continue on the trajectory of the sustenance of peace and progressive development or risk choosing a path that leads to the countless unknowns. Either we choose a presidential candidate who will continue from the appreciable and improved level of where we are as a country to continue steadily growing and developing, or we choose a presidential candidate who is unaware of the real problems and solutions of our beloved country and moreover completely out of touch with Liberia and the Liberian people and the current reality of Liberia, who will drive the Liberia and the Liberian people down, a very steep, slippery slope.”
This, he added, is the nature and scope of the situation for which the party asked him to provide direction and guidance in the best interest of Liberia and the Liberian people, especially partisans of the New MOVEE.
“I certainly have no doubt that any task of this nature to decide objectively on behalf of a critical constituency, such the new MOVEE, in a complex political environment with diverse social and economic interests is huge and unimaginably heavier, nevertheless, a task we are committed to objectively delivering and will do so, never failing as we have never failed you.
Standards that were considered
Ambassador Kemayah recalled that when he embarked on the enormous task of providing political guidance and direction in making a decision that would eventually affect the lives of thousands of partisans and supporters of the New MOVEE and, by extension, all Liberians, he was fully aware that the only way this could be done objectively was to set a generic standard to critique all the candidates vying for the presidency of the Republic of Liberia in the October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.
He stressed that any candidate for the highest office in the land must demonstrate an ability to comprehend the issues that affect the Liberian populace, be able to relate to them through his or her lifestyle, and be capable of taking pragmatic steps to solve problems in the best interest of Liberia and the Liberian people.
According to him, a national leader must possess tested and dependable ability, adaptability, suitability competencies and skills, genuine sense of purpose to lead and transform Liberia and the Liberian people, unwavering, demonstrated practical commitment to national peace, unity, transformation and development of Liberia and the Liberian people.
Ambassador Kemayah maintained that a national leader must be attentive, sensitive and very conscious to the needs of the people he or she leads.
He added that he or she must at all times, and absolutely never let go the cognizance and passion of ensuring at all times that public service is for public good.
Weah best suited
“Mr. National Chairman, esteemed members of the National Executive Committee, distinguished delegates, supporters and well-wisher of the New MOVEE, I am very pleased and honored utmost humanity to inform you that there is only one and only presidential candidate who can withstand every scrutiny, and is the most qualified to lead the Republic of Liberia for the next six years effective January 2024, according to all evidence and criteria.”
“Mr. National Chairman, esteemed members of the National Executive Committee, distinguished delegates, supporters and well-wisher of the New MOVEE, in the premise, I am very much pleased and honored with utmost humility, to formally inform this Special National Emergency Convention that the only one and only one Presidential candidate who has met and continues to meet the aforesaid criteria as the most suited, qualified, transformation and development oriented presidential candidate with clearest and surest of vision and sense of purpose to lead Liberia and the Liberian people beginning January 2024 is His Excellency DR. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia. Accordingly, we are very pleased to officially inform this Special National Emergency Convention of our proposal for the New MOVEE to formally join the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) for the purpose of ensuring the reelection of Dr. George Manneh Weah, standard Bearer of the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change in the October Presidential and Legislative elections.”
Ambassador Kemayah observed that since the inauguration of President Weah on January of 2018, Liberia has experienced and continues to experience very steady progress, growth and development.
“In so doing, Mr. Chairman and esteemed members of the National Executive Committee, distinguished delegates and, fellow partisans, well-wishers, and sympathizers, I hereby declare that the most qualified, best-seated, and most deserving presidential candidate in the forthcoming Presidential and Legislative elections on October 10, 2023, is His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, and Standard Bearer of the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), and further declare the Mighty Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) as the direction and coalition with the most shared vision and commonality in political ideology and principles with the New MOVEE to join in a Grand Coalition for acceptance and the endorsement by this Special National Emergency Convention on this Saturday, February 25, 2023.”