The opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) grapples with a dramatic loss of control over its members in the House of Representatives civil war that is fraught with political tension.
This rift comes in stark contrast to the CDC’s recent electoral dominance, where it secured 25 seats compared to main rival, the ruling Unity Party’s (UP) 11. Momentum has however shifted as the ruling party successfully lured several CDC lawmakers away in a leadership crisis that threatens to destabilize the opposition’s hold on legislative power. Approximately 48% of the CDC’s House membership is backing the plot.
Janga Kowo, the Chair of the CDC, has publicly decried what he terms a concerted effort by President Joseph Boakai and the Unity Party to orchestrate chaos within the House. Vice President Jeremiah Koung is reportedly leading a Cabal of lawmakers who are spending nearly $2 million to topple the Speaker.
With multiple CDC lawmakers defecting to a faction aimed at ousting Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Kowo insists that these betrayals are driven by UP’s strategic maneuvers to weaken the CDC’s influence and disrupt its operations.
“The recent actions of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and other lawmakers who have turned their backs on the CDC and the directive of former President George Manneh Weah are alarming and indicative of deeper political machinations,” Kowo said.
“These maneuvers, clearly orchestrated by the Boakai government, seek to destabilize our party. However, we remain resilient, and these schemes will ultimately prove futile.”
Kowo has raised urgent calls for reforms to empower political parties, arguing that the current democratic framework in Liberia limits parties’ ability to enforce discipline among their elected members. This fragmentation, he warns, poses a significant threat to both the integrity of the CDC and Liberia’s overall democratic health.
“We need to engage in a national conversation about bolstering the authority of political parties over their members in the legislature,” Kowo stated.
“The actions we are witnessing reflect an overreaching executive that undermines legislative independence, jeopardizing our system of checks and balances.”
The CDC leadership is unrelenting in its condemnation of the Unity Party, accusing its members of systematically undermining the rule of law through a series of alarming actions, including the dismissal of civil servants and neglect of Supreme Court rulings.
Facing growing unrest within its ranks, the CDC is now in a critical phase of reassessment as it prepares to take necessary steps to reclaim its standing. Kowo has urged party loyalists to remain calm and focused while the leadership consults with stakeholders about the path forward.
“This is a moment of adversity for the CDC, but it is also an opportunity for us to reinforce our commitment to democratic principles and to safeguard the integrity of our party,” Kowo noted.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will respond in the best interest of our members and the Liberian people.”
Official results from legislative elections held on Oct. 10, 2023 showed the CDC won 25 seats in the 73-member House of Representatives. President Joseph Boakai’s Unity Party took 11 seats. Independent candidates grabbed 19 seats while other parties won 18 seats.
Despite its majority, the Speaker is left at the mercy of Independents and other smaller political parties in the House.
The unfolding drama within the CDC not only reflects the party’s internal struggles but also serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing democracy in Liberia.
