LIBERIA: MOVEE Expels Top Officials for “Gross Violations”

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The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has expelled three senior members of its leadership for gross violations of the party’s by-laws and constitution.

Those expelled include K. Matthew Shan, National Vice Chair for Administration; . Jeremiah E. Paye, National Deputy Secretary for Operation; and Patrick Karmo, Acting Montserrado County Chair.

Under the leadership of Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the party held an emergency session to review the report from the Special Investigation Committee (SIC).

This report, commissioned by the National Executive Committee (NEC), investigated alleged violations of the party’s constitution by Shan, Paye, and Karmo. Following the session on Saturday, May 25, the NEC decided to expel these high-ranking members.

Prince Mehn, MOVEE Nimba County Chairman and Acting National Chairman, who spoke on behalf of the party, emphasized the gravity of the violations. “The NEC, as the highest decision-making body in the absence of the National Convention, acted upon Article VI, Section 2(a) of the by-laws, which grants it supreme authority.”

He noted that Article XVIII, Section 6(g) of the by-laws, prohibits any action that embarrasses the party or brings it to public disrepute.
Mehn said that K. Matthew Shan, Mr. Jeremiah E. Paye, and Patrick Karmo, who were investigated despite multiple outreach attempts such as WhatsApp and voice calls, knowingly, deliberately, and disrespectfully refused to honor the Special Investigation Committee’s invitations to attend inquiry calls.

“Mr. K. Matthew Shan, demonstrating his determination and total disregard for the investigative process, responded via WhatsApp by saying, “OK, go ahead and make arrests where applicable,” he added.

According to him, none of the accused individuals were willing to comply with the Special Investigation Committee (SIC), and the suspended Acting Secretary General, Mr. Jeremiah E. Paye, was influenced by hidden hands and outside forces to undermine the party’s stability, as he was seen during the press conference on May 5, 2024, flanked by Mr. Goodrich S. Cheayan and Mr. Edward Norman, who were expelled from the party for various reasons inimical to the party’s values and principles, as well as other non-partisans of MOVEE.

He emphasizes that a statement by Jeremiah E. Paye during a press conference on May 5, 2024, was illegal and was an arbitrary attempt by him and others to manipulate the minds of members of the National Executive Committee to join them in not only undermining the present leadership of the party but also changing the political focus and principles of the party without due diligence.

He also disclosed that Paye illegally placed the names of several members, including county chairpersons, of the National Executive Committee on their solution, which he alluded to during his press conference on May 5, 2024, and has appeared on public radio stations purporting to be the Party’s Secretary General, disseminating a new policy position.

“Mr. K. Matthew Shan, Jeremiah E. Paye, Mr. Patrick Karmo, and others planned the May 14, 2024, fracas at the party headquarters, which led to the Liberian National Police imprisoning some party members and non-members with the intention of illegally assuming the party’s leadership due to their ill-political will.
Mehn said that the unauthorized public statements issued by the three expelled members on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and mobilizing people to illegally take over the leadership of the party on May 14, 2024, are gross violations of Article XVIII, Section 6(f), (g), and (h), under the caption Code of Conduct (MOVEE).

He further said Robert M. Sammie and other NEC members on national duties abroad will continue to receive support and protection from the NEC, and he, Aston P. Holder, and Jeffrey Siaffa will continue to serve as Acting National Chairman, Acting National Secretary General, and Acting Chairman for Montserrado County, respectively, until further NEC decisions.

“The NEC condemns false accusations against Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., orchestrated by political adversaries, “he said.

In conclusion, Mehn said that NEC reaffirms its support for Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., and the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), led by former President Dr. George Manneh Weah, and the SIC, led by Tony Wesseh, will investigate the complaint against Mr. Karso Harris for gross unruly behavior. The SIC’s findings will be final and binding.

“The NEC of MOVEE will communicate this resolution to the National Elections Commission of Liberia within four days from May 25, 2024,” he said.

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