By Eldred Wlemongar Thomas | GNN Staff Reporter
Despite her absence from active politics in Liberia, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf early Wednesday July 8, 2020 formed part of a high level Unity party executive committee meeting at the party’s headquarters in Congo town, outside Monrovia.
The meeting was attended by National Executive committee members of the former ruling party including its current standard bearer former Vice President Joseph Boakai amid heavy down pours.
The meeting comes after a recently held meeting on the farm of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Bomi county, Western region intended to recollect defected members of the party who quitted for different reasons especially during and after the 2017 election.
All attendees of the Wednesday executive committee meeting did not provide details of the gathering.
But it was reported to have been convened as part of efforts to trash out political differences and cement a harmonious relationship ahead of the 2020 senatorial midterm election and its impending convention slated for next month August to fill the vacant slot its embattled Chairman Wilmot Paye and other positions.
Other party stalwarts expected to contest for the Chairmanship include Rivergee Senator and longtime progressive Commany Wesseh, former Nimba county Representative Worlea Saywah Dunah and renowned business tycoon Amim Modad.
Speaking shortly after the Wednesday meeting, Unity party’s Legislative Caucus Chairman Representative Hanson Kiazolu said the party executives came together to discuss issues relevant to the forward march of the party.
Representative Kiazolu said the despite global role assumed by former President Johnson Sirleaf, it does not in any way suggest that she is not a member of the party or would not be supportive of its activities.
Kiazolu who represents Montserrado county district seventeen was responding to questions about the presence of Madam Sirleaf at the Unity party headquarters after not been seen frequently in the public space especially at such political gathering even though she has not been actively into politics.
The lawmaker noted though former President Sirleaf will not been physically be seen running campaign, she remains the standard bearer emeritus of the party and will be consulted on for pieces of advice.
“Madam Sirleaf is our former political leader and as we go into politics, we need pieces of advice to strengthen the young generation to face the prospects and challenges ahead, that is the reason why we assemble here today at our headquarters, Kiazolu sounded”.
He further stated that global responsibility means focus has increased beyond party politics, pointing to Madam Sirleaf international obligation with the World Health Organization as Workforce Ambassador.
The meeting was prudent to move the Unity party forward according to Deputy House Speaker Prince Moye who also attended the meeting.
“She is our partisan and so she needed to sit with us to give some advice on how to carry on the party, the Bong county Representative pointed out in a chat with reporters”.
According to Representative Moye, Madam Sirleaf was invited to the executive committee meeting to drink from her political knowledge.
Former President Sirleaf herself when quizzed on her presence at the Unity party headquarters, replied in a rather angry tone “I am a partisan and so they can call me anytime if they want to meet me, I will meet them, but I am not actively in politics she intoned while moving to embark her vehicle”.
Madam Sirleaf guarded by Executive Protective Service Officers told reporters she was clear with the Unity party National Executive Committee members during the meeting about not been active in politics anymore.
“I have a global obligations working for peace, empowerment and development of women of other nations around the world, she added”.
The former Liberian leader who currently serves as Workforce Ambassador at the World Health Organization remains strategic in the body politics of Liberia especially her own former governing Unity party crucial pending electoral processes in the country.
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