Several entities and political groups continue to respond to what many considered as a controversial Oration by Liberia’s 177th orator, Dr. Robel Neajai Pailey.
Characterized by mixed views in the public, Dr. Pailey’s oration was greeted with huge public condemnations and criticims while others welcome her oration and branded it as the hard facts worth elevating for public consumption.
In the wake of the ongoing discussion surrounding Dr. Pailey’s oration, the opposition, Movement for Economic Empowerment, MOVEE has released its official position statement welcoming the myriads of issues raised in the much talked about oration delivered by Dr. Pailey.
In its official statement signed by its Secretary General Jeremiah Edison Paye and Chairman , Matthew Shan Sr. said MOVEE welcomed Dr. Pailey Reminders of Government’s Failure to ensure the Realization of Liberia’s Independence to the Benefit of all Liberians.
The party he stated even though welcomed Dr. Pailey’s oration but at the same time described her assertions against Liberia-US Relations as Undiplomatic and Insensitive to US Contributions to Liberia since Independence.
The opposition party also in its official statement rendered another opposition party , the Congress For Democratic Change, The CDC’s response to the Independence Day Message as Unsophisticated and Un-consultative.
The Political establishment agrees with Dr. Pailey that Liberia’s purpose for Independence, which was to free black slaves who settled on the land in having sovereignty needs a radical re-imagination.
” When we consider the essence of a country’s independence, it encompasses freedom, self-determination, and the country’s ability to chart her own future to the benefit of its citizens and judging from Liberia’s 177 years of existence as an independent nation, the country has not met this combined purpose”, Mr. Shan added.
He said while the MOVEE may agree that freedom and self-determination may be seen as being realized to some extent, the fundamental argument of charting Liberia’s future to the benefit of all citizens still remains elusive as a sovereign nation and charting Liberia’s future to the benefit of all citizens squarely lies with those entrusted with the leadership of the country.
The MOVEE’s Chairman pointed out that since Liberia’s Independence in 1847, it is unarguable that Liberia’s entrusted authorities, past governments have failed on said front, and the current government is still grabbling with this fundamental purpose.
The Party used the occasion to commend Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey for reminding all Liberians of the challenges that have hindered governments over the years from ensuring that Liberia realizes this fundamental purpose of independence; ensuring that the citizens benefit from its sovereignty.
MOVEE indicated that as outlined Dr. Pailey’s message, the issue of equitably distributing the country’s wealth from the abundance of natural resources that Liberia possesses, adherence to the rule law, ensuring accountability and transparency in public service, promotion of justice, and the creation of a unified and reconciled society still remain unattended to.
“The message was a bold and courageous call to action on the part of the government to address key issues that bother on improving the economic conditions of all Liberian citizens”, MOVEE added.
Mr. Shan further stated that the Theme for the 177th Independence Day: “Building a New Liberia for all Liberians” can only be realized by practicalzing the issues raised in the orator’s message, which relates to the economic conditions of Liberians.
MOVEE encouraged the Unity Party led Government to receive the orator’s message in good faith, and focus on changing the narratives to the benefit of all Liberians.
MOVEE, though there have been a few errors, but with some foundational policies that the Government has embarked on in its infancy period of governance,it is hopeful that President Joseph Nyumah Boakai will take heed and make amends.
The Movement for Economic Empowerment wants to address a part of the Independence Day Orator’s message that has sparked controversy amongst politicians and Liberians in general.
According to MOVEE, the assertion by Dr. Paily that “the US has benefited more from Liberia than Liberia has from the US” was an unprovoked attack on the long-standing relationship subsisting between Liberia and the United States of America.
While her assertions contains some cogent diplomatic issues regarding Liberia’s relationship with the US, the MOVEE holds the view that it was undiplomatic for her to have used such occasion to make such arguments.
” She was being insensitive and ungrateful to the many contributions the US has, and continues to make towards Liberia since Independence and based on the numerous direct financial supports, especially through USAID and other indirect contributions the US continues to make through many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions, it would be ungrateful for any Liberian, like Dr. Pailey to have used a national oration to denigrate and underrate Liberia’s most globally recognized ally in the United States of America”, MOVEE’s Chairman blasted.
However, the Movement for Economic Empowerment calls on the Unity Party led Government to take some cues from the orator’s criticism of Liberia’s relationship with the US, by holding strategic bilateral partnership dialogues with the US Government on regarding mutual benefits.
Meanwhile, as a constituent member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), the MOVEE detests the hasty, rash and unanalytical response from a fellow constituent member, the Congress for Democratic Change to the Independence Day Orator’s Message regarding Liberia-US Relations.
MOVEE stressed that the unsophisticated condemnation made by the Congress for Democratic Change on the Independence Day Orator’s Message regarding Liberia-US relations was deceptive, ill-advised and un-consultative.
As an ideological and policy-driven opposition, the Movement for Economic Empowerment wants to assure all Liberians that the party will remain objective in its analysis of national issues and will continue to position itself as a constructive, responsible, mature and policy-driven opposition that will commend, condemn and offer recommendations to the government where necessary.
