Liberia: National Traditional Liaison Officer Says CDC Could Win Bong Again as Unity Party Battles Internal Divisions

Mr. Kollie further claimed that the Unity Party faces serious internal divisions in Bong, which he believes could open political space for the CDC. He attributed part of the division to disagreements among party actors over political influence and access to county leadership

GBARNGA, Bong County – A senior Liberian government official from Bong County says the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has a realistic chance of winning the county in the next presidential election, arguing that divisions inside the governing Unity Party (UP) could prevent it from consolidating support.

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***By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com ***

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William B. S. Kollie, Liberia’s National Traditional Liaison Officer and a native of Bong, said the CDC cannot be written off in the county,

particularly if it keeps its own house in order and strengthens ties with local political actors. “The CDC still has the potential to win Bong because the party has settled some of the differences that affected its performance. If the Unity Party remains divided, the CDC can take advantage of that situation,” Mr. Kollie said.

A county that changes allegiance

Mr. Kollie’s argument rests on Bong’s voting history over the past two decades, in which the county has moved from being a stronghold of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the Unity Party to being an important base for former President George Weah and the CDC.

In 2005, Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf defeated Mr. Weah decisively in Bong in the runoff, despite finishing third in the county in the first round. In 2011, she won 83.45 percent of the county’s runoff vote. In 2017, the pattern reversed, with Mr. Weah taking about 64.2 percent against Joseph Boakai’s 35.8 percent.

In 2023, Mr. Weah carried Bong again, but by a much smaller margin. He received 72,159 votes (52.92 percent) to Mr. Boakai’s 64,194 (47.08 percent), a lead of 7,965 votes, or 5.84 percentage points.

Mr. Kollie said the 2023 result should not be read as the CDC losing relevance in Bong. In his view, it shows the party retains a substantial base that could prove decisive if the Unity Party fails to resolve its differences.

“Bong politics is not permanently owned by any political party. We have seen this county move from the Unity Party to the CDC, and the party that organizes its people and builds stronger local relationships will have an advantage,” he said.

Mr. Kollie said the CDC has addressed some of the internal differences that, in his assessment, contributed to its underperformance in parts of Bong during the 2023 election period.

He pointed to the political importance of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, a Bong native, saying that having a major county figure on the CDC ticket had given the party an important link to voters there. He argued that the party’s ability to settle differences among its actors could make it more competitive going forward.

Funeral turnout as a political signal

Mr. Kollie also cited the funeral of Philip Taylor, son of Mrs. Howard-Taylor, as evidence of continuing ties between the CDC, the National Patriotic Party (NPP) and parts of the Bong population.

He said the ceremony in Gbarnga drew significant public attention even though Mr. Taylor was not a prominent political figure in the county. According to Mr. Kollie, residents, particularly CDC and NPP supporters, turned out along the route from the Old Iron Gate to the Gbarnga Administration Building to pay their respects. He said this showed that structures associated with both parties remain active in Bong.

He contrasted this with the reception for the remains of former Bong Superintendent Dr. Ranney Banama Jackson, which arrived in Gbarnga on Friday ahead of funeral ceremonies. Mr. Kollie described the turnout as relatively poor, given Dr. Jackson’s long association with the county and his former role as superintendent.

He cautioned against reading the difference purely as a measure of the two men’s importance. It could also reflect changing political networks, he said, and the ability of political organizations to mobilize supporters around particular events. He suggested political actors in Bong should reflect on

shifting loyalties and the relationship between leaders and ordinary citizens.

Claims of Unity Party divisions

Mr. Kollie further claimed that the Unity Party faces serious internal divisions in Bong, which he believes could open political space for the CDC. He attributed part of the division to disagreements among party actors over political influence and access to county leadership.

He also pointed to allegations involving Bong County Superintendent Lorleyah Hawa Norris. According to Mr. Kollie, some political actors allege that Superintendent Norris has been empowering or giving political space to individuals associated with the opposition CDC.

Those allegations are contested. They are Mr. Kollie’s account of claims circulating among political actors and could not be independently verified. No response from Superintendent Norris or Unity Party leadership was available at the time of writing.

Mr. Kollie said the controversy could deepen disagreements within the UP if members believe individuals or institutions linked to the government are creating opportunities for opposition actors. He argued that a governing party needs a cohesive county-level structure to defend its support, particularly where presidential elections have produced large swings.

Why he sees an opening for the CDC

Mr. Kollie said the CDC could benefit from what he described as uncertainty within the Unity Party’s Bong structure, because the county’s electorate has shown it will change allegiance when it perceives weakness in a dominant organization.

He said the UP cannot assume its 2023 national victory automatically gives it a lasting advantage in the county. The CDC’s task, he said, is to consolidate its existing support, repair remaining internal differences and maintain relationships with influential communities and political actors across Bong.

Political organizations, he stressed, must do more than rely on national popularity. Clan relationships, personalities, local development records and grassroots organization can all determine how voters behave.