MONROVIA – Perhaps the formation of a collaborative opposition bloc for the sole purpose of solidifying the forces to overthrow the administration led by George Weah did not bode well for opposition political parties. Now everything is bad. Mitigation actions have failed and mitigation actions are still ongoing.

Earlier this week, there was unconfirmed reports that the Unity Party – the largest constituent party of collaborating political parties – was withdrawing from the collaboration. Contacted for confirmation or comments on speculation about the UP breaking up, the party’s national secretary general Mo Ali said FrontPageAfrica, “I can not tell”.

This speculation about the UP’s break with the CPP came out shortly after the Liberty Party, another constituent member, announced at its recent controversial convention the endorsement of Alexander Cummings from the Alternative National Congress (ANC). as the preferred candidate for the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) ticket for 2023.

The Liberty Party convention held in Ganta, Nimba County, last weekend, was held shortly after key members were suspended, including Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Senator Steve Zargo, Daniel Sando, among others.

They were suspended for non-payment of party dues. The contested constitution of the party, but recognized by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), provides for the suspension of unpaid debts.

But the suspended members of the LP opposed the suspension and also declared the chairman, Musa H. Bility, as persona non-grata in the party. He was replaced by Senator Zargo who was called upon to act.

However, the National Election Commission has yet to recognize Steve Zargo’s leadership, while Bility continues to play and be recognized by some supporters and upper party hierarchy as the rightful chairman.

It is widely accepted in the opposition community that if Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and her cronies had not been suspended from their functions in the party, the LP would have influenced Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party.

For a few months now, Boakai and Cummings, the two precursors of the CPP, have not got along. Their differences, which have also put ordinary members of the various constituent members of the RPC at loggerheads, range from allegations of tampering with the RPC Framework Document to allegations of violation of the RPC Framework Document.

The factor highlighting their differences is that the two feel more apt to lead the ticket of the RPC. No one is ready to back down. Yet, they both said they supported the other if they were not selected by delegates to the CPP convention before 2023.

While this assurance may be sincere, what remains the point of contention is the political maneuvering of some constituent parties to influence the process. This debacle went on for a long time.

But the Liberia Renaissance Office Incorporated (LIROI) hopes to make a difference by mediating between the two political leaders.

The LIROI, when it was established in mid 2021, expressed its desire to promote and strengthen the principles of democracy in Liberia, in particular through the functioning of the PPC.

In early October, LIROI issued a statement stating: “LIROI is committed to working with the opposition, particularly within the CPP, to promote its goal of democratically overthrowing the CDC-led government at the polls in 2023. .

“However, our continued support is premised on the assumption that the CPP will embrace the consolidation of democracy and the promotion of economic transformation and sustainable development in accordance with our core values ​​and goals.”

The group, which reportedly hired Dr Alan White and Jeffrey Birrell as lobbyists in Washington under a US $ 180,000 deal, warned the PPC that collaboration can only be solid as constituent members.

LIROI further warned that the CPP must set a good example and stand as a mature alternative to refocus the country on the priority tasks of relieving the Liberian people from the “present quagmire” in 2023.

“With this in mind, we especially call on the leadership of the PPC to swiftly resolve all outstanding conflicts and disputes which tend to undermine the cohesion of the collaboration and dash the hopes and aspirations of the vast majority of Liberians who have trusted to that, ”the statement said.

However, three months later, LIROI is still struggling to sort out issues within the PPC, especially between Boakai and Cummings.

A recent attempt took place in the city of Accra, the capital of Ghana, where separate talks were held with the two leaders, hoping to resolve the situation.

In a statement released by LOROI on Wednesday, the group revealed that while they were in Ghana dealing with matters relating to their operation, they took advantage of the presence of Boakai and Cummings who were also there on separate businesses.

“In contact with the staff of the two leaders, LIROI was aware of their presence in Accra, and took advantage of the presence of its partners, the BW Global Group (BWGG), during a field visit to the region, to meet separately with the two leaders. Both meetings focused on the interests of LIROI in realizing the aspiration of the Liberian people for a united opposition through the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) for which the LIROI was subsequently informed that the two leaders separately reaffirmed their commitment to a united PPC, ”the group said.

He added: “The two meetings also sought the views of the two leaders on additional ways and means by which LIROI could be more favorable to the PPC. LIROI and its partners welcomed the cordial atmosphere that surrounded the separate discussions and expressions of the two leaders to resolve all outstanding issues within the CPP, in particular the conflict within the Freedom Party, and promote democratic ideals in the process leading to the selection of CPP candidates for the 2023 presidential and general elections. LIROI will continue to explore and engage all key CPP stakeholders in the public and private sectors to advance LIROI’s goals in supporting a united CPP.

While the LIROI-Accra meetings could have served as fertile ground for Cummings and Boakai to clash and agree on a common proposal, LIROI was keen to reveal that his meeting with the two political leaders did not bring them together. under one roof, although they separately agreed to resolve the internal conflicts of the RPC.

“The LIROI specifies that at no time did she or one of her partners meet jointly with the two leaders and neither did they facilitate the negation of the two leaders on the question of the leadership of the CPP. Although LIROI would welcome such a meeting as positive, if it had taken place between the two leaders, we are aware that such an exercise must be voluntary and should arise from the will of the parties and their leaders to do so ”, revealed the LIROI.

The disclosure also raised questions about Boakai and Cummings’ true desire to bury their hatchet and find common ground for the rescue and consolidation of the opposition bloc.