Africa-Press – Liberia. Former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Chairman, Mulbah Morlu became famous as an advocate, and after nearly two decades of absence in mainstream advocacy, the man is right back where he belongs–even more than spirited.
He is making a strong comeback after his not too successful venture into the realm of politics, despite landing the CDC to the Liberian presidency as the Commander of the once known mighty “Blue Army.”
With the launch of his newest initiative, “The Movement-STAND,” a rights advocacy organization, Morlu has decided to go solo after resigning from his chairmanship post with the CDC, deciding to once again assume the voice of the voiceless in the Liberian society, and even beyond as he intends to carry the torch of democracy across the ECOWAS region, yea the African continent.
With a strong advocacy credential, Morlu said during the launch of his “The Movement-STAND,” an advocacy group, that he is elated to make a comeback as one of the voices of the Liberian masses at a time when the nation needs men of strong will and influence to stand up and protect the interest of the people.
The Movement’s cardinal mission is to advocate for and uphold the values of democracy, good governance, justice, and accountability in Liberia. This includes empowering citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and holding elected officials accountable.
In terms of vision, The Movement STAND aspires to create a society where democratic principles are upheld, governance is transparent and responsive to the needs of the people, and justice is accessible to all citizens.
Morlu’s movement also comes at a time when the issues of War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), which he was once a strong proponent of, and the retrieval of stolen wealth through the newly launched Assets Recovery initiative, are high on the national agenda.
“Advocating for marginalized communities, irrespective of tribe, gender, religion, or location, is always a noble endeavor,” the former CDC chairman noted at the movement’s launch over the weekend. “This is the ethos behind The Movement-STAND, dedicated to championing the rights of the less fortunate and upholding the principles of justice.”
STAND stands for Solidarity & Trust for A New Day, symbolizing our commitment to protecting the weak from the powerful and advocating for the rule of law, according to its founder.
Why Take A STAND
Morlu noted that he acknowledges the negative impacts resulting from the lack of strong civil society initiatives in Liberia, which have fueled widespread impunity, governance gaps, and a stagnation of democracy. “This urgent need has spurred the creation of a politically impartial pro-democracy and civil society organization,” he said.
Morlu’s resolve is further strengthened by what he referred to as the growing geopolitical tensions that promote undesired authoritarian governance in the West African sub-region.
“This erosion of democratic principles must be challenged and prevented from encroaching upon our nation, as it undermines the advancement of democracy,” he said. “Furthermore, the erosion of public trust during the Weah-led government, coupled with increasing domestic skepticism regarding public policy decision-making under the Boakai administration, underscores the urgent need for civil society intervention.”
He added that the rising endorsement for the establishment of the WECC—a cause for which he passionately advocated but went mute on after the CDC ascended to power, should galvanize all Liberians in solidarity.
“This urgency is compounded by the alarming threats to stability posed by notorious warlord Prince Y. Johnson, who purports to be mobilizing former war actors for destabilizing activities,” Morlu claimed. “In these challenging times, rebuilding trust in the democratic system requires the rise of a robust civil society capable of holding the government accountable and championing a fair and equitable society, thus reducing the likelihood of unrest.”
Morlu noted that STAND will operate as a resilient grassroots mechanism, advocating for a rule-based system to prevent regression and lawlessness.
“The Movement STAND unites brave and courageous individuals with patriotic and nationalistic principles, irrespective of political beliefs or ethnic backgrounds. We prioritize Liberia’s well-being above all,” he noted.
A rally-point for social justice advocates
As responsible citizens, STAND’s members say it is their duty to tackle the urgent issues of the moment and, as a movement that is a non-political grassroots advocacy group, it is firmly committed to addressing Liberia’s pressing national issues.
It stands as a call for individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations, to come together and advocate for justice and the rule of law, Morlu said.
“We have all witnessed how numerous governments and politicians, both past and present, have failed to fulfill promises to address Liberia’s fundamental challenges, resulting in our nation being trapped in poverty and underdevelopment,” he noted. “This recurring cycle of unfulfilled promises highlights the critical need for a vibrant, focused, and people-centric civil society to hold politicians and policymakers accountable to the people. Without such accountability, Liberia cannot fully realize the true essence of its democracy.”
He added that STAND seeks to unite reliable, sincere, and altruistic Liberians, inviting everyone to join in challenging the status quo for a better Liberia. “It’s time to advocate for the marginalized and combat impunity. It’s time to challenge the status quo and champion the rights of the vulnerable!”
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
