Africa-Press – Liberia. Before the audience, Sentor Moye (middle) and Rep. Cole (left) clasped hands, embraced, and declared a ceasefire in their personal and political battles. The crowd, stunned at first, erupted into thunderous applause.
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – The national convention of the United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA) became the unlikely stage for what many had written off as impossible the public reconciliation of longtime political rivals, Senator Prince K. Moye and Representative Josiah Marvin Cole.
For years, the two men stood on opposite sides of Bong County’s political spectrum — trading accusations, undermining each other’s ambitions, and dividing the county’s legislative caucus.
But on this night, something changed. Before a crowd of hundreds, the two clasped hands, embraced, and declared a ceasefire in their personal and political battles. The crowd, stunned at first, erupted into thunderous applause.
The moment was as emotional as it was historic. “If we have the same opportunity to become President of Liberia, I will step aside and allow you to go,” Rep. Cole announced, standing shoulder to shoulder with Senator Moye, both men smiling. The audience rose to its feet in approval, their cheers reverberating through the hall.
The roots of their rivalry stretch back to 2017. Senator Moye, then a representative, threw his political weight behind Gbarnga businessman Orando Zarwolo in a contentious District 3 race — a move seen as a direct challenge to Rep. Cole. But Rep. Cole emerged victorious.
Three years later, the roles reversed and Cole backed then-Senator Henry Yallah against Moye in the 2020 senatorial elections. This time, Moye won.
Their animosity didn’t end there. In 2023, as the Unity Party prepared to challenge the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Moye — now a Unity Party senator — became a central opposition figure, while Cole remained loyal to the CDC. When the Unity Party ultimately claimed the presidency and Senator Moye was elected head of the Bong Legislative Caucus, Rep. Cole and Representative Eugene Kollie of District Five refused to support his leadership.
Rep. Cole’s discontent soon spilled into the public. “I couldn’t be led by a man who is divisive,” he said, announcing his withdrawal from the caucus.
But all that vitriol seemed to melt away on that Kentucky stage. “I want to personally appeal to Senator Moye, my brother and friend, that the people of the United States of America from home and abroad have touched my heart, and today I let go of everything I have ever held against you,” Rep. Cole said, his voice cracking with emotion.
“Senator Moye is the senior senator of Bong County. I have made one solemn vow and commitment: I will never, until I leave this Earth, speak against Senator Moye in public.”
Rep. Cole wasn’t alone in this gesture. Representative Eugene Kollie — another vocal critic of Moye — also stepped forward with words many never expected to hear.
“I want to join this reconciliation process. I am calling Senator Moye the father of Bong County,” Kollie declared. “We will work together from now on.”
Senator Moye, visibly moved, responded with grace and resolve. “I want to appreciate the organizers for this convention,” he began. “I want to make this commitment that no day I will go public against Hon. Cole. If I have issues with him, I will pick up the telephone and call him.”
He added, “Hon. Cole and myself have huge potential. If we harness it together, we can develop Bong County.”
What few in the audience knew at that moment was that Moye had been laying the groundwork for reconciliation behind the scenes. Before arriving in the U.S., he had instructed junior Senator Johnny Kpehe to reach out to both Cole and Kollie to encourage their return to the caucus.
Among those watching the reconciliation unfold was Bong County Superintendent Loleya Hawa Norris. She couldn’t hold back tears.
“This is what we’ve been praying for,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “This moment proves that unity is possible. It gives us hope for development, for collaboration, for a better Bong County.”
Senator Johnny Kpehe also shared his joy, telling FrontPageAfrica: “This is what I had hoped for – a united Bong County Legislative Caucus. There is a lot we can achieve as a county when we are united. I want to appreciate Representatives Eugene Kollie, Marvin Cole, and our senior senator Prince Moye for putting aside their differences.”
Representative Moima Briggs Mensah of District Six, another caucus member, expressed her elation on social media.
“My deepest thanks to my brothers Sen. Prince K. Moye, Hon. Marvin Cole, and Hon. Eugene Kollie for this powerful moment of reconciliation. I’m literally in tears… This is the Bong County we’ve been longing for!” she wrote. “To the United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA), President Karmon, Dr. George Toto, Superintendent Hawa Norris and everyone who played a role, thank you for believing in the dream of peace and unity. Your efforts made this moment possible. Today, we made history.”
She continued, “We’ve proven that One Bong County isn’t just a dream but it’s alive. It’s real. And it’s ours. Today is a happy day! One Bong. One People. One Future. Cheers to every proud citizen of Bong County at home and in the diaspora! On behalf of the caucus members home, we await you guys to have a home celebration.”
Joy Scott, another Bong County native, echoed the sentiment. “I’m overwhelmed with emotions right now! My deepest thanks to my brothers Sen. Prince K. Moye, Hon. Marvin Cole, and Hon. Eugene Kollie for this powerful moment of reconciliation. I’m literally in tears… This is the Bong County we’ve been longing for!”
Still, even in the midst of the jubilation, there are those who remain skeptical. On social media, a few voices dismissed the event as “political theater,” doubting whether the unity would last beyond the convention.
One commenter wrote, “They are just pretending.” Another warned, “This reconciliation won’t last.”
Still, for many in the diaspora and at home, Saturday’s reconciliation is more than symbolic. It’s a long-awaited step toward healing, cooperation, and shared vision.
Held under the theme “Cultivating Unity and Reconciliation for a Better Bong County,” the UBCAA’s 2024 convention will be remembered not just for speeches or ceremonies, but for the moment two rivals chose peace over pride.
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