The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has launched its bid for a political comeback to national leadership in 2029, marking its Martyrs' Day in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County. The event, attended by thousands of partisans and sympathizers, honored fallen party members killed during the 2011 electoral dispute at the party's Monrovia headquarters and victims of subsequent political and civil crackdowns. The commemoration took on an intensely militant tone, with speakers pairing grief with harder rhetoric.
Former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for Urban Affairs, Madam Pauletta CC Wie, delivered the keynote address, criticizing the ruling Unity Party administration led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Wie declared that the CDC stands as an unyielding movement for the homeless, vulnerable, and marginalized. She expressed disappointment and frustration with the government, citing the paradox of Kinjor, a land rich in natural resources yet starved of basic infrastructure, electricity, and paved roads.
Wie directed her ire at the executive branch, contrasting President Boakai's claimed decades of experience with the lived realities of struggling Liberians. She warned that come 2029, the CDC will not be passive, stating, "We will not put the Bible on our chest any longer; we are not taking the Bible in our hands anymore." Wie paid tribute to the party's fallen members, describing them as true heroes and torchbearers for the struggle and quest for emancipation.
Former President George Manneh Weah, through a statement delivered by former Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, demanded accountability for the Kinjor killings. Weah requested a moment of silence for citizens who lost their lives on February 29, 2024, when security forces discharged live ammunition during protests over living and working conditions in Kinjor. He emphasized that the government must answer for the conduct of security officers and provide justice for the families.
The commemoration drew broad opposition solidarity, featuring remarks from opposition figures, including Representative Yekeh Kolubah. Kolubah emphasized the necessity of a unified opposition front to relegate the Boakai administration to history in 2029. He admitted past political miscalculations and pledged to work toward correcting them, also criticizing Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as corrupt.
Kolubah's assertions were met with cheers from the crowd, and he reiterated his commitment to working toward a unified opposition. The event showcased the CDC's determination to re-emerge as a major force in Liberian politics, with a focus on championing the cause of the ordinary people. Wie and other speakers challenged the party leadership to remain committed to the party's principles and not abandon its partisans.
The CDC's Martyrs' Day commemoration in Kinjor marked a significant moment in Liberia's political landscape, highlighting the party's resolve to hold the government accountable for past killings and to push for a more equitable distribution of resources. The event also underscored the growing tensions between the opposition and the ruling party, setting the stage for a potentially contentious 2029 electoral showdown.
Key points
- The CDC has launched its bid for a 2029 comeback, vowing to hold the government accountable for past killings and to champion the cause of the ordinary people.
