By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberty Party has successfully wrapped up a one-day national reconciliation retreat, culminating in the adoption of a comprehensive 12-count resolution aimed at unifying the party and resolving internal conflicts that have persisted for the past three years.
This pivotal event marks a significant step towards healing rifts and establishing a cohesive direction for the party’s future.
Held recently, the retreat saw party leaders and delegates gathered to discuss strategies for overcoming divisions between two splinter groups within the party.
The resolution emphasized that the internal crisis has been resolved through mutual reconciliation and agreement, with both factions committing to finalize their accord within 30 to 60 days from the signing date.
Chairman of the Joint Reconciliation Committee, Jacob Smith, outlined the resolution’s key points, which include plans to review and draft a new party’s constitution for adoption at a special national convention scheduled for December 13-15, 2024, in Gompa, Nimba County.
This convention will not only address amendments to the constitution but also validate party leadership until a national convention occurs.
The resolution includes several crucial components aimed at fostering unity. It further includes the parties’ agreement on inserting a transitional clause in the current constitution to address the tenures of the political leader and the national executive committee, alongside restructuring county leadership and establishing advisory councils.
Each faction will appoint three prominent members, including religious leaders and women, to constitute the national convention committee, which will elect a chairperson among themselves.
The resolution outlines a leadership slate based on proportional representation from both factions.
The current National Advisory Council (NAC) will be dissolved and replaced by a unified slate reflecting a 50:50 distribution of positions.
The heads of both the National Youth and Women Congresses will be determined through nominations from both factions, ensuring gender inclusion in the new leadership structure.
The existing Political Leader will be endorsed to remain in position until the Liberty Party’s National Convention, which is expected take place one year before the 2029 general elections.
The resolution mandates that all pending legal disputes between the factions be withdrawn, signaling a commitment to focus on collaboration rather than conflict.
Both sides agreed not to pursue any legal matters previously filed in any court, emphasizing a fresh start for the Liberty Party.
The party’s national Chairperson, Ruggie Barry, in her remarks following the resolution, emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “There is no right or wrong in what has transpired; our goal is to reconcile and lead the party to a peaceful national convention.”
The Political Leader, Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence, for her part, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the challenges faced over the past three years have only strengthened the commitment of each member to the party.
“Liberty Party is a party of integrity, a political party of high standards, and a voice of the people,” she affirmed.
The national reconciliation retreat brought together current and former lawmakers, county leadership, and government officials, highlighting a collective resolve to restore respect and integrity within the party.
The signed resolution will be presented to members of the party in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, on November 10, 2024, further solidifying the commitment to a united future.
With this resolution, the Liberty Party aims to move forward as a stronger, more unified entity, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and reaffirm its role as a significant political force in Liberia.
