Monrovia – The Congress for Democratic Change and by extension, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has had its hollows over the past two years, however that has not deterred its die-hard partisans and supporters who trooped of their numbers to grace the official groundbreaking ceremony of their new get together headquarters.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, [email protected]
After being hit the largest political blow in 2023 by dropping energy to the Unity Celebration (UP), the get together suffered displacement following the demolition of its earlier nationwide headquarters on August 23, 2023 after dropping a authorized battle to its landlords.
However regardless of all these, partisans remained upbeat of the dawning of a brand new day with hope of creating a political comeback in 2029. Therefore, on the result of this perception, hundreds of CDCIANS and “Weahcians” in oneness and solidarity, converged on their proposed new dwelling on the Tubman Boulevard in Congo City to rejoice what a lot of them contemplate as a brand new chapter within the get together’s political historical past.
On their gathering on Saturday, they sang their get together’s outdated and new songs of hope and renewed vigor of creating a comeback to state energy 4 years from now.
Former President Weah Rallies CDCians Unity, Reaffirms Dedication
In an influence message delivered to the mass gathering of partisans, former President George Manneh Weah renewed his vow to rebuild the brand new CDC nationwide headquarters “in report time,” in a state-of-the-art style.
In a jab thrown on the ruling UP, the previous Liberian chief opined that the CDC is a builder, whereas the ‘they’re destroyers’, and as such, they’re undeterred with all eyes set on 2029 – the CDC’s main objective for now.
In an interesting message of inspiration to CDCIANS and ‘‘Weahcians’’, former President Weah propounded that the CDC spirit is birthed throughout the blood of partisans and never the partitions that had been destroyed.
“In the event you like, you possibly can go and break all of the partitions – break all of the bodily constructions, however you possibly can’t break the CDC as a result of the spirit is inside. For us, we construct, not destroy. And so, we construct, they break, they break, we construct – that’s what we’re famous for,” he instructed the gathering amid cheers from partisans and supporters.
“The CDC just isn’t within the partitions of the construction. The CDC lives in our hearts and minds. So, you possibly can break the bricks; you possibly can break the partitions; however we stay standing, steadfast in our love and dedication to the beliefs of our expensive establishment. The get together is supreme; the CDC is supreme,” Weah declared.
Based on him, the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the brand new CDC nationwide headquarters is a testomony to the get together’s resolve and dedication to work for the Liberian folks, no matter their political, non secular, and social affiliations.
“Regardless of the disregard for the rule of legislation by the Unity Celebration authorities, folks proceed to assist us. Our nation has seen many breakdowns, however we’re builders, not destroyers. The bricks we lay, we lead — they observe,” he added.
Weah additionally urged partisans to stay resilient and united in what he described as a nationwide effort to rescue Liberia from “charlatans and mountebanks.”
“Allow us to work laborious, as a result of the Liberian folks rely upon us to ship them from the fingers of charlatans and mountebanks,” he mentioned.
Koffa’s Confidence for 2029
Talking earlier, the CDC Headquarters Building Committee Chair, former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, expressed optimism of the CDC’s return to energy in 2029, noting that the brand new headquarters could be a strong image of former President George Weah’s anticipated return to energy.
He mentioned the brand new complicated will stand as a monument to resilience and revival following what he referred to as the “unprecedented eviction and demolition” of the get together’s earlier headquarters by the Unity Celebration-led authorities.
“This can be a subtle edifice that may emerge as an emblem that fact crushed to the bottom will rise once more,” Koffa declared.
“It’s our imaginative and prescient that by the point we attain 2029, this complete space shall be a CDC complicated. It’s from this complicated that may rise the brand new mantle of management that the Liberian folks will give to President Weah in 2029. We’re witnessing an unprecedented juxtaposition of unmitigated energy and bare greed.”
Koffa accused the federal government of a failed mission to erase the CDC from Liberia’s political historical past.
“In an unprecedented eviction transfer, the federal government of Liberia went to the headquarters of the CDC and destroyed it with the intention of erasing this noble get together from the annals of historical past. However they acquired the alternative impact,” he mentioned.
Revealing ‘A Chat with A UPist’
The Grand Kru County Electoral District 2 Consultant made a startling revelation of a dialog presupposed to be a chat between him and a stalwart of the ruling UP lately.
Of their exchanges, he defined how the UP supporter boasted of one of the best use of energy by the UP.
“He mentioned to me that UP is aware of the best way to use energy.”
“And I responded: If figuring out the best way to use energy means turning the police that ought to defend protesters right into a shoot-and-kill demise squad, we don’t need to know that type of energy. If figuring out the best way to use energy means stopping motorcyclists from making an honest dwelling after taking their insurance coverage cash, we don’t need to know that type of energy.
If figuring out the best way to use energy means taking jobs from over 200 Liberians on the Ministry of Transport and giving them to foreigners so that you and your folks can share the advantages, we don’t need that type of energy.
If figuring out the best way to use energy means making instances so laborious that households can’t pay their kids’s faculty charges or their hire, we don’t need to know that type of energy.
If figuring out the best way to use energy means taking an oil deal from an American firm, ExxonMobil, and giving it to 1 corrupt man in order that just a few can profit, we don’t need to know that type of energy.
If figuring out the best way to use energy means to lie, steal, and rape, then we don’t need to know that energy.”
In an extra jab, former Speaker Koffa added: “I do know the Ministry of Ma Pa Cuss will prepare for me, however thank God my Ma and Pa are lifeless — they won’t hear it.”
CDC Is Stronger Than Ever – Chairman Janga Kowo
The Nationwide Chairman of the CDC, Atty. Janga Kowo, mentioned the get together just isn’t moved by the mere assault ‘from the opposite facet’ however stays stronger than ever imagined.
Chairman Kowo indicated that the CDC, being a grassroot political motion deeply rooted within the energy of the ‘lots’ can not and can by no means perish from the historical past of the physique politics of this nation.
Opposite to sinking the CDC, he asserted that every one efforts to silence its voice are solely meant to make it stronger – as a result of it has stronger and dedicated partisans than any get together throughout the land.
Time to Assist The CDC
Margibi County Senator, Nathaniel F. McGill, craved CDCians and supporters to rise as much as contribute meaningfully in direction of the development of the brand new headquarters undertaking.
Senator McGill, who can be the Chairman of the CDC Legislative Caucus, famous that the get together had lengthy been there for its members and it’s now time for members to reciprocate that favor in return.
“CDC suffered for you, it’s your time to endure for CDC, the whole lot can’t be the Commonplace Bearer alone,” mentioned the Margibi County lawmaker.
CDC Receives Extra Donation for Venture
Because the CDC scouts extra sources to assemble its new dwelling, the official groundbreaking ceremony was additionally occasioned by a fundraising rally, whereby company in attendance and abstention made money donations and pledges in direction of the initiative.
The opposition Residents Motion for Change (CMC), as an example, introduced a fund contribution of 5 Thousand United States {Dollars} (US$5,000) towards the development of the CDC Nationwide Headquarter.
In an announcement issued hours after the primary program, the CMC mentioned the contribution demonstrates its solidarity with the CDC and its dedication to fostering unity and collaboration amongst political establishments to strengthen Liberia’s democratic values.
“The Residents Motion for Change welcomes the CDC’s daring initiative to assemble its headquarters,” the assertion famous.
“This undertaking represents progress, stability and institutional progress inside Liberia’s political panorama, and we’re proud to be a part of this historic enterprise.”
The get together additional expressed optimism that the CDC headquarters undertaking will function an e image of political group and democratic development, inspiring different political events.
CMC then reaffirmed its dedication to selling improvement governance, and nationwide cohesion, emphasizing that collective efforts amongst political acts are important to sustaining Liberia’s peace and democracy.
There have been pledges and donations from additionally inside – with members officers of the CDC additionally dwelling as much as the adage of washing over abdomen whereas others bathing their again.
In so doing, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor donated US$5,000 to the undertaking, whereas every CDC lawmaker dedicated themselves to paying US$5,000.
Nonetheless, District #14 Consultant Muka Kamara promised to exceed the person pledge by contributing US$15,000 to the undertaking.
Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe Jr. donated US$10,000 to the CDC Headquarters undertaking and pledged to contribute at each stage of the undertaking.
CDC HQ Committee Extols Nicely-wishers, Vows Transparency and Accountability
For gracing the landmark event, the CDC Headquarters Building Committee has prolonged heartfelt gratitude to partisans, sympathizers, and well-wishers of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) for his or her presence and beneficiant monetary assist on the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.
‘Your unflinching assist, dedication, and dedication towards this undertaking are deeply appreciated. Thanks! We additionally want to acknowledge and thank members of the opposition neighborhood who attended and contributed financially and materially to the undertaking,’ learn a CDC assertion.
Based on the get together, the participation of Liberians on the ‘greatest event’ displays a spirit of unity and shared nationwide progress, for which we’re grateful.
The get together factors out that the groundbreaking ceremony marks a historic milestone within the CDC’s journey to ascertain a central headquarters that may function a hub for strategic planning, neighborhood engagement, and get together operations.
The Committee emphasizes its dedication to transparency, accountability, and environment friendly undertaking supply, guaranteeing all contributions are correctly recorded and utilized towards the development.
“As we start the precise development within the coming days, we encourage continued assist from all stakeholders, together with partisans, sympathizers, civil society members, and most of the people, to make sure the sleek and well timed completion of this vital undertaking.”
“This headquarters isn’t just a constructing; it’s a image of the CDC’s dedication to progress, unity, and repair to the Liberian folks. We invite everybody to stay engaged, monitor progress, and take part actively in making this undertaking a hit.”
