Liberia: MOVEE recommits to Weah, indefinitely suspends three executives for constitutional violations; Confirms continued membership in the CDC

MONROVIA – The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), through its National Executive Committee (NEC), has renewed its commitment to remain a member of former President George Manneh Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), despite calls from some officials to sever its political alliance with the CDC.

By Obediah Johnson

In February last year, MOVEE pledged its support to the CDC ahead of the legislative and presidential elections. The party also worked on modalities to become one of the constituent political parties in the coalition. However, some party officials recently called for MOVEE to withdraw its membership from the CDC.

These officials have called for a change in national leadership led by their political leader Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah and chairman Robert Sammie. They argued that these leaders’ terms had expired and that a national convention needed to be held to produce a new generation of leaders. They also complained that some NEC members, including Chairman Robert Sammie, had taken on assignments in Liberian embassies abroad, paralyzing the work of the political institution.

However, in a statement issued and signed by leaders of various districts in Paynesville, outside Monrovia on Saturday, May 18, 2024, MOVEE’s NEC decided to retain and support Ambassador Kemayah as its political leader. Article VI Section 2a of the MOVEE Constitution and Bylaws states that the National Executive Committee is the highest decision-making body in the absence of a National Convention.

The decision was made in an emergency meeting after more than six hours of intensive deliberations. The meeting was called to make important administrative decisions, including the post-election review, and to implement some changes in the party’s national leadership structure.

The party noted that the recent actions of some NEC members, including the National Vice Chairman for Administration, the National Deputy Secretary for Operations and the Acting Montserrado County Chairman, grossly violate its principles, values ​​and constitution. Article

The NEC stated: “Recent statements and public radio appearances by Mr. K. Mathew Shan, Mr. Jeremiah S. Paye and others do not reflect the views of the National Executive Committee of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE). . Mr. Robert M. Sammie and other members of the Executive Committee who are outside the country on national duties shall continue to enjoy the support and protection of the Party’s National Executive Committee until such time as they are legally restricted in accordance with the Bylaws and Constitution of MOVEE. “

MOVEE’s NEC stressed that it is deeply disturbed and concerned about false accusations and attacks on its political leader, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., former Foreign Minister, by agents paid covertly for political gain.

“The National Executive Committee reaffirms its support for its political leader, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., and reaffirms its commitment to the ideals and values ​​of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and its flagbearer, former President George Manneh Weah. “

The following partisans, including Mr. K. Mathew Shan, have been indefinitely suspended from the Economic Empowerment Movement for anti-partisan acts and ordered to submit to the Special Investigative Committee (SIC) headed by Partisan Williette Cooper immediately upon publication of this resolution. Other members of the committee include Mr. Anthony Wesseh, Ms. Rosetta Jones, Mr. Jenkins Nagba, Hawa Toogbabu and Estina Smith.

Shan, along with the party’s acting general secretary and chairman for Montserrado County, Mr. Jeremiah S. Paye and Mr. Patrick Karmo, were suspended for alleged violation of several provisions of the party’s constitution. The committee was asked by the NEC to report its findings within seven days.

MOVEE has now appointed several people to take over the positions of the suspended executives. Those appointed include: Mr. Prince Mehn (Acting National Chairman), Mr. Aston Holder (Acting National General Secretary) and Mr. Jeffrey Siaffa (Acting Montserrado County Chairman).

“The National Leadership of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) is hereby authorized and further mandated to submit this position of the National Executive Committee of the party to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Liberia within four (4) working days from the day on which the final decision will be made.”

The suspended individuals have yet to respond to the NEC’s decision.