CMC PRESS STATEMENT
On the Eviction of the CDC: A Sad Day for Liberian Politics
The eviction of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) from its national headquarters is a sad day for Liberian politics and for our democracy. While the matter may find justification in law, its execution has left the impression of humiliation, division, and triumphalism, all of which are dangerous for our fragile political culture.
The humiliation of any political party is not a victory for democracy. The only proper and legitimate way to defeat a political party is through the ballot box. To celebrate otherwise is to cheapen the very foundation of multiparty democracy that Liberia has fought so hard to build. What happened should not have happened, and no one should find joy in it.
At the same time, it is important to ask what kind of leadership the CDC itself provided its members in the midst of this longstanding dispute. The issue of tenancy and legal obligations has been ongoing for years. What precautionary measures did the party take to avoid this outcome? Could the humiliation we witnessed have been prevented through foresight, negotiation, or compromise? Leadership is tested not only in times of triumph, but in the ability to anticipate challenges and protect the dignity of one’s institution.
To the Unity Party, this is not a moment for celebration, but a moment for reflection. Years back, when the political climate was in reverse, you too faced similar circumstances. That was not a laughing matter. That was not a funny moment. The same accusations now being leveled against you, of having a hand in this eviction, were yesterday leveled against the CDC. This cycle of blame and humiliation is precisely why, in the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), we insist that the polarization of our politics must end. A new act and a new attitude must take root if Liberia is to move forward.
This episode should be a sobering moment for all of us. Our democracy cannot survive on humiliation and revenge. It can only grow through tolerance, civility, and the genuine competition of ideas.
It is our hope that the CDC will use this painful experience as an opportunity to retool, revamp, and focus on strengthening its internal structures and service to its members. For the ruling establishment, this should be a time of reflection on how to engage opponents with civility and maturity. And for Liberia as a whole, let this serve as a reminder: humiliation is not democracy, and democracy cannot survive without respect, fairness, and peace.
