TINA S. MEHNPAINE
Africa-Press – Liberia. The standard bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander Cummings, has listed twelve commitments that parties seeking his support in the runoff election must fulfill in order to be endorsed. These demands will be discussed with President George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party (UP) by a team led by Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, the vice standard bearer of the CPP.
Cummings, in a statement released on Wednesday, October 25, emphasized that the CPP wants their vision for a better Liberia and their agenda for real change to drive the decision to endorse any party in the second round of elections.
The CPP’s demands include commitments to gender equality, promoting women’s participation in government, establishing a National Youth Service program and a loan scheme for business development, and addressing issues such as the establishment of a war and economic crimes court, constitutional review, judicial reform, and decentralization of public administration.
“Decentralization of public administration, audit of all public institutions including the National Legislature, enforcement of the assets declaration by public officials, and a commitment to simplify the tax code, rules and regulations to make Liberia business friendly, and accommodation of Liberian entrepreneurs.”
Weah and Boakai, the two candidates in the runoff election, are both familiar with the challenges faced by Liberians. Boakai served as vice president in the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, which was criticized for corruption and limited access to basic services. Weah, on the other hand, campaigned on a platform of change and hope in 2017, capturing the aspirations of many Liberians, particularly the youth.
However, criticisms have emerged regarding the progress made in addressing corruption, security, healthcare, and the economy during Weah’s presidency. The demands put forth by the CPP suggest that they have not been satisfied with the actions taken by either candidate to address these issues.
Ultimately, it will be up to Weah and Boakai to determine whether they can meet the CPP’s conditions for endorsement. The negotiations between the parties will shed light on their respective commitments to bring about real change in Liberia.
The question, however, is whether the CPP can exact any guarantee that either party will live up to their commitments. A political analyst, who asked to remain anonymous, suggested that such a “tall order of requirements without realistic guarantees of fulfillment” is like “having two dirty individuals compete for one clean, white gown, without making them first take bath. If one person wins and becomes president, how will you hold them accountable after the fact?”
Source: Liberian Observer
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
