Liberia’s Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced the appointment of former House speaker J. Fonati Koffa to lead the construction of its new national headquarters, following the demolition of the party’s previous office by government authorities.
The development comes as the CDC positions itself to strengthen its grassroots base amid ongoing political tensions.
For the first time in more than two decades, the party was rendered homeless
ruling authorities leveraged a family dispute over ownership of the property hosting the CDC and fast-tracked an eviction order while an appeal was still pending before the Supreme Court.
The destruction of the site has been met with widespread condemnation across Liberia including from CDC leaders and supporters who say the action represents political vengeance and a disregard for due process.
Among the structures destroyed was a vocational school intended to serve underprivileged Liberian youth, according to party officials and a cluster of sycamore trees, which according to party mythology symbolize the heart and soul of the organization.
In a late Monday night statement, the CDC described the move for a new home as a concerted effort to expedite the reconstruction of the party’s headquarters and to restore a central hub for its activities nationwide.
Former President and CDC Standard Bearer George Manneh Weah announced the formation of the CDC National Headquarters Construction Committee, tasked with overseeing the project and delivering a functional headquarters within one year.
Key members of the Construction Committee include:
– Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa – Chairman
– Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill – Co-Chairman
– Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. – Advisor
– Madam Yvette Freeman
– Mr. Quiwu Pepci Yeke
– Dr. Marie Scott-Wilson
– Mr. Kyne Oliver Kyne
– Madam Ruth Cooker Collins – Technical Advisor
– Mr. Yayah T. Sheriff
– Famatta Wesseh – Secretary
– Mr. Emmanuel T. Swen
– Cllr. Garrison Yealu
– Jurah A. M. Sanoe
– Mr. Roosevelt Johnson Jr.
– Mr. Michael Andrew Massaquoi
– Mamina Carr Gaye (Youth League)
– Sriyah Musu Isodjee (Women’s League)
– Isaac Doe
– Samuel A. Wlue
– Manneh George
– Ariminty Tubman
– Abraham Askie
CDC former Secretary General Eugene Lenn Nagbe has been named General Coordinator. The Committee Chair is tasked with authority to form sub-committees as needed to ensure timely delivery of the HQ project within the year.
The CDC notes that the initiative enjoys significant goodwill and broad support, even amid recent politically charged actions. To promote transparency, the party intends to open a designated bank account for the project and publish its details. Multiple payment methods will be facilitated to accommodate supporters and donors.
Separately, the Standard Bearer directed Chairman Janga Augustus Kowo to organize a press conference to address several related issues. These include the alleged invasion of the CDC headquarters by government forces, purported abductions of party partisans, and ongoing legal challenges before Liberian courts.
The CDC has emerged as a central force in Liberian politics in recent years, pursuing governance reforms and national unity while steering sometimes turbulent political landscape.
The drive to rebuild the party’s national headquarters follows a period of tension between the CDC and government authorities, along with active legal disputes.
Since its rise as an opposition force and later a governing coalition, the CDC has faced a complex environment marked by policy debates, and governance questions. Its leadership emphasizes resilience and democratic processes as it continues to expand its organizational capacity and political influence across Liberia, a nation of 5.5 million people.
