|
By Sidiki Trawally Posted to the Monday May 05, 2008
A majority of ULAA Board members voted to pass a new elections law that will be used to conduct this year’s general election, but it seems the road to holding the election is rocky as some members are dissatisfied that the new law could create hindrance in the electoral process, FPA has observed.
At a well attended meeting In Detroit, Michigan Saturday, ULAA Board members were locked in bitter argument for more than six hours as they disparaged each other over which election laws should be implemented to conduct the ensuing general election of ULAA in October. Following the ranting and shouting across the Liberian community center floor, the Board, determined to settle the crisis, voted to pass the 2004 elections law with a vote of 17 against 12. A motion to vote on the issue was made by Pennsylvania delegate Adolphus Jacobs. However, there are concerns in many ULAA quarters that while the new law seems to be the best way forward, implementing it to the letter at this time is unrealistic. Some said implementing the new law would render the entire electoral process depressing. The 2002 elections law which calls for delegates to be handpicked by the chapter leadership was thrown out in favor of the 2004 law, which calls for local chapters to hold primaries to select their delegates. Many in ULAA don’t see that possible at this time, with the elections just few months away and with the weaken financial status of most member chapters. Article IV of the new law calls for each ULAA chapter to conduct primaries for the purpose of electing delegates
“That means a chapter that has 300 members shall be entitled to its original 15 delegates and then four additional delegates for the 100 extra members,” the new law states. Some chapter heads at the meeting described the delegate allocation as unfair. “We all pay the same membership dues to ULAA, so it is unfair to have one chapter carrying more delegates than the other,” said Zedueh Doe’rue, President of the Pittsburg Chapter. The Board’s attempt to resolve the electoral crisis over this salient issue was not entirely successful as some Liberians left the well attended meeting disappointed and worried that elections this year might not be held. Some feared that any attempt to impede the holding of election will further divide the union.
For most people that attended the meeting, resolving the elections law issue was considered very crucial to them. They said it would have put an end to the impasse that continue to disrupt normal functions of the Diaspora organization, which is desperately seeking to build its image, following series of reported allegations of financial improprieties against it.
As the Board deliberated on the hot button electoral issue, fuming Liberians seethed as they tried to make their points to be heard across the floor. They demonstrated sufficient outburst but it took the agility of the Board chairman James Larsah, who became defensive when attacked by some members, to quell the angry audience. He was seen on occasion using his gavel to send his message. In fact out of frustration, ULAA Presidential candidate Abraham Massaley, who strongly favored and campaigned heartily for the 2004 law to be passed, angrily declared he would not participate in any election that will violate ULAA constitution. Interestingly, when the law was passed, the candidate breathed fresh air as he jumped from his seat in happiness, while some of his supporters, exclaimed “Yes, we did it!” Due to the intense nature of the deliberations, which one insider said is normal in ULAA politics, a regular phrase: “protect the man” was frequently used to quiet any member who tried to interrupt another speaker on the floor. The Michigan chapter, which hosted the meeting had to extend the length of stay in the hall for the Board to conclude the crucial meeting.
“ULAA is on time bomb,” warned Orlando Richards, Board member from Massachusetts, who had earlier suggested that the election commission should be given the task to review the 2004 law and make recommendations to the board as to whether it was feasible to implement the law this year.
The Pittsburg Chapter President Zedueh Doe’rue expressed concerns the union is not “going in the right direction.” He was disappointed that Board members could not find a middle ground to carefully review the document before voting to enforce the law. Wilmot Kunney of Pennsylvania also concurred. Behind the scene lobbying to gain support for the passage of either election laws was observed prior to voting. ULAA Eminent member, former President of ULAA, Mohammed Kromah strongly advised the Board to take action that will make ULAA relevant. “No investors leaving the US to Liberia should go without you knowing about it, but because we get caught up in politicking and not paying attention to the main issues that concern our people, we are deemed irrelevant. We can make ourselves great. ULAA is bigger than anyone of us, but how can we make this sleeping giant relevant is by not looking at each other as enemies.” “We don’t have two parties here. We are one ULAA, but it is unfortunate that we continue to look down at each other. I beg you let us organize something that will make us significant. The rigidity of the rule can compromise its objectives, so we should be mindful to come out with a sound decision that will make us better,” Kromah continued. Rodney Chesson, who chaired a committee to review the law document raised concern that while the new law demonstrates Liberians’ beliefs and faith in the union’s processes and by-laws that promote the inclusive participation of every community member, implementing the law for this year’s election was not realistic. He called on the Board to properly and effectively review and address the issue in terms of the possibility of its implementation. Chesson, in his report to the Board recommended that ULAA should consider conducting what he
called a “Popular Election.” According to him, such process will motivate the participation of every registered and dues paying members of ULAA chapters.
“If considered for deliberation and approved…this proposal will be used in the election process that will ensure the involvement and participation of a high level of enthusiasm among all members of several chapters of ULAA,” he said in his report. However, Chesson’s recommendation was rejected by the Board. In his opening remarks which many thought would have set the tone for the meeting, Board Chairman James Larsah reminded fellow board members that the April 12th peace pact that was signed in Philadelphia under the auspices of the union’s eminent persons was being discussed. He challenged the Board to avoid bickering and urged them to stop negative politicking. “We should be less about politicking and more about social building, more about building organization and friendship. Let us be less about traditional bickering and work together to move on," he appealed The Board Chairman strongly advised the delegates that “If we engage in cronyism and any other form of politicking, we will fail. We will fail our people. We will fail as leaders. Let us put the union first and make our friendship and all relationship second.” As if Larsah appeal fell on deaf ears, bitter arguments including personal attacks ensued among board members when they discussed which agenda item must be discussed first. There were descending views from across the aisle, but after an hour or more, the meeting settled down and the board chairman took control. There was in fact a moment when the audience burst into laughter when a time clock went off while the Board chairman was speaking. “Time’s up!” some delegates joke, apparently to instill some humor to quench the tension that was arising from the discussion over the top electoral issue. Larsah said he was determined to implement the Philadelphia resolution, and urged other board members to do the same. “I ask that we do not undervalue honoring peace agreement. When we sit in a meeting and sign document, we must work to attain it.” The Detroit meeting was in keeping with the April 12, 2008 ULAA Eminent Persons Council Mediation resolution, which was adopted in Philadelphia. Two representatives from each ULAA chapter attended the meeting. Key eminent persons who participated in the mediation meeting in Philadelphia, including Roberta Rashid, Mydea Reeves-Karpeh and Mohamed Kromah were in attendance. Presidential candidates Abraham Massaley former ULAA Elections Commission Chairman, Anthony Kesselly, former ULAA National Board Chairman and Mariah Seton, current Executive Director of ULAA social service commission were there. Both Massaley and Kesselly threw jabs at each other as they rained attacks and counter attacks to clarify their respective positions on past and present issues. At the end of the day, they settled down, shook hands and participated in photo shoot with a smile. ULAA has been marred with internal politicking that has propensity to create credibility problem for the union, which has been accused by some if its own members of corruption. In his opening prayer, Pastor Johnson from California cautioned the Board to work together to push the union’s agenda forward. He admonished the delegates to avoid the bickering which continues to undermine the deep unity that once existed among Liberians in ULAA. At the meeting, new board members including Andrew Temeh and Henry Kesselly of Minnesota, Alex Quiremolue and James Galakpan of Connecticut, Frank Stewart of North Jersey, Isaac Settro of Wisconsin and Samuel Rennie of Milwaukee were inducted by the Board. The board also reconstituted the various standing committees of ULAA, including the five-man electoral panel. The panel headed by Ben Davis and assisted by Alice Jackson, Emmanuel Toe, Joseph Kokro and Orlando Richards met behind close door to reaffirmed Amos Koukou as chairman of the ULAA Elections Commission. Amos was recommended by the ULAA administration. During cross-examination at the plenary, Koukou pledged to work harder to run a transparent electoral process. He also allayed concerns that his friendship with some of the Presidential candidates will overshadow his work. “People, including the candidates know me very well. I do things by principle. I will not engage in any form of partisan politics. I have vast experience in organizing an election and I will do a better job,” Amos assured. Another member of the commission, Frank Carter was confirmed.
|
