In Line with ECOWAS Mandate: Four Political Parties for 2005 Elections
-Who Goes to Grace, Who Drops to Grass?

By: F. Shelton Gonkerwon

Forum
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted March 2, 2005

It appears that the multiplicity of political parties (18 registered, 18 going through the process of status legitimacy) may soon be trimmed to a containable level to avoid foreseeable confusion and national division in the future as Liberia and Liberians struggle to get off the hook of war debris, poverty and all elements of ills.

Diplomatic sources told FORUM that ECOWAS has decided to advance such equation concerning parties reductions since it suspects possible friction and unhealthy post elections democratic situation, given the unusual political dimension including power greed, tribalism prone parties as well as nepotistic attitude.

Presently, ECOWAS Chief Negotiator former Nigerian President Retired General Abubakar is in the country on a fact- finding mission specifically the progress on the National Election Commission (NEC) and other related matters regarding the electoral process.

There are general prevailing doubts as to the proliferation of political parties which critics say is potential recipe for chaos.

According to the diplomatic sources, ECOWAS may consider only four political parties to stand in the election as a way of guiding and guarding the long awaited democracy.
Many are of the opinion that while it is true that democracy is the best way of life, it becomes equally harmful and meaningless when allowed to be pushed and pulled by many politicians who may not be truly democratic.

There are about 38 registered and proposed political parties with 46 presidential aspirants representing political parties and independent camps.

The non-restriction as to the number of political parties to take part in the election, has provoked equally an uncontainable level of ambition with the political field becoming crowded.

It can be recalled that the CPA which is an endorsed implementing partner to the Liberia constitution marginalized ambitious warlords in Accra, Ghana, at the time when Liberia was in need of transitional head. It the same time the American Government reinforced the decision of the CPA and it came to pass.
It is likely that the same CPA may blow the burgle announcing its verdict as regards the number of political parties to stand for the elections.

Regrettably, in Liberia today, there is a prevailing culture of power greed, rampant corruption, fumbling political ambition and the disrespect for laws and order.

Liberia’s aged old problem seems not be who fills the presidency, but who would patriotically serve his/her countrymen.

Liberians are beginning to look over their shoulders using the eyes of history to see where they erred- the killing of Tolbert. Many see Tolbert as a man who was fighting to lift up Liberia from the slum of poverty, ignorance and disease, until his bloody overthrow in April 1980

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