The New Republic Liberia

With  less than a month after the appointment of  Ambassador George Weah,  head of the Congress for Democratic  Change (CDC), it appears that  the real  motive is emerging as many partisans of both parties  have  told this paper with  some saying  it  was only intended to protect the business interest of the first family. But the CDC has debunked that.

An insider of the ruling party who prefers not to be named told New Republic in an interview Tuesday that; “the appointment of Ambassador Weah is only intended to protect her (president Sirleaf) business interest in the country. The fear from the presidency is that if she leaves power, with all the businesses, there will be no one to protect these businesses.”

“I do not see any political relevance in the appointment of Ambassador Weah. It is only intended to protect her business interest. She has the fear that with her business empire around here, any Government that comes to power in the future, they may take her to court,” the insider said.

Recently, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Ambassador Weah as Liberia’s peace Ambassador.  Weah replaced Nobel Laureate Layman Gbowe who resigned  this year due to what she referred to as president Sirleaf failure to  stamp out corruption in the country.

The insider said Weah’s appointment is also seen as a way to weaken the CDC. “The CDC is a strong force and realizing that s they do not see the newly formed alternative Congress for Change (ANC), they are trying to befriend Weah and bring him on board.”

“I am an insider of the UP. The entire work is intended to make Robert Sirleaf the running mate to Weah in the coming election for 2012. If you remember, at the just-ended conference in Gbarnga, it was speculated that Weah stands a good chance for becoming the next president after president Sirleaf.”

The insider however refuted allegations that Liberia was heading for one party state.  “That is not correct. We are not heading for one party state. There are many parties here and if CDC is being entrapped, that does not mean we are heading for one party  state.”

But the Chairman of the Congress for Democratic  change(CDC). George Solo recently told  some international news media that Ambassador Weah’s  acceptance was intended in good faith and there was not condition attached to it.

He further said, “If Liberia must progress, we need to be sincere to each other. Whether you like it or not,  this country  is backward in many things and we think that there is a lot      that needs to be done in the reconciliation process.  Ambassador Weah is  up for total reconciliation   and if the Government does not show  this in deeds, then, it  will not be good for the country.”

But the UP insider said, “Money was used to influence Weah and bring in the Robert Sirleaf factor.”

This was debunked by Solo on international media when he said, “there was noting of that sort. Weah is honest about peace and reconciliation in this country. If anyone thinks like that, such person should think twice. When this paper contacted  Robert Sirleaf’s  office for comment, there was no response.

Another CDC source said, “We are worried about this latest development with the suspension of  Jefferson Kodjie, the  youth wing  Secretary General  for the CDC. WE think that something sticky went on in this entire appointment.”