Liberia: CPP Protest Gets Opposition Parties’ Backing

The Standard Bearer of the CPP, Alexander Cummings

The planned protest by the Collaborating Political Parties, which is intended to highlight the failures of President George Weah's government has been endorsed by two other opposition political parties.

The endorsement from the two smaller parties — People's Liberation Party (PLP) and the United People's Party (UPP) — comes as the CPP has struggled to get the backing of some large parties including the former ruling Unity Party. 

However, the endorsement offers some clout to the protest, which would no longer be seen solely as a CPP initiative, but rather that of the opposition community.

The UPP National Vice-Chair for Political Affairs, Roland S. Trobeh, noted that the UPP and its allies, the PLP, see the “peaceful rally” (protest) as a worthy cause to remind Weah of the growing wave of suffering, extreme hardship, societal ills and bad governance in the country.

“We, as opposition political parties that want to take state power, see this process as a worthy cause and the best way for the common and suffering masses across Montserrado to speak and call the government’s attention to their plight, and we from the UPP are in full support of this process,” Trobeh noted. 

The decision of Trobeh and others to back the protest comes days after the Standard Bearer of the CPP, Alexander Cummings, in his first public address on the protest, called on Liberians to fight for their country.

“If you are happy, your family has enough food to eat and your life is better off today, please do not stand by idly as your fellow Liberians suffer,” Cummings said in a statement.

“Come and stand with those who have been let down by this administration and hear for yourself why they are tired and what they are tired of. Hopefully, we can join together and fight for the Liberia we all deserve,” he said. 

Cummings’ position came a few days after the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, approved the CPP’s request to hold a protest on December 17, as planned, outside the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.

The Minister’s letter, dated December 8, ordered the Inspector General of the Police, Patrick Sudue, to provide all necessary protection to Liberians who might be attending the protest. 

This comes after the Minister of Youth and Sports denied the CPP access to the SKD grounds, saying it might refund the money the party paid to use the space.

The protest, which goes by the tagline, “We Tiyah Suffering,” according to the CPP, is intended to amplify the voices of the people who, they claimed, are suffering and need to have their voices heard.

It is expected to take place on December 17 at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville. 

Meanwhile, several other organizations in the country have also pledged support for the protest, saying it is in the country's interest. 

They are the Indigenous Movement of Liberia, the Cross-Border Women's Association of Liberia, and the Disenchanted CDCian Network.

Other includes the National Association of Community Leaders in Liberia; Gobachop, Omega Women for Cummings; and the Former CDC Royal Guard, now CPP Royal Guard.