The formal inauguration of the Secretariat of Inter-Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) was held on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Monrovia.
The exercise is part of steps to deepen democratic governance, and political solidness.
The event marked a renewed commitment to structured political dialogue and collaboration among political parties.
Representatives from political parties, the National Elections Commission (NEC), government institutions, civil society, and development partners attended the ceremony.
Each of the speakers underscored a collective resolve to sustain peace and foster inclusive political processes.
Gabriel B. Saydee, Jr., National Coordinator of the IPCC Secretariat, spoke of the historic responsibility of political actors to prioritize national unity over individual party interests.
“We must stand not as representatives of individual parties, but as stewards of the collective democratic interest. This is not a competition with government; it is a complement to the democratic process.”
Saydee outlined fostering constructive political engagement; strengthening electoral processes and building institutional resilience as three
key priorities for the newly inaugurated Secretariat.
He said, the dialogue remains central to preventing conflict.
“If we can resolve issues here, we will not need to fight among ourselves in the streets.”
The ceremony also featured a keynote address by Dr. Nathaniel Blama, former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Blama reflected on structural weaknesses within Liberia’s political landscape and the need for stronger collaboration among political actors.
“Weak political systems produce weak governments. The IPCC offers a pathway to strengthen institutions through cooperation, shared resources, and collective accountability.”
Dr. Blama spoke of the need for political parties to evolve into policy-driven institutions anchored in research, dialogue, and constructive engagement.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Louis Kuukpen, reaffirmed the Agency’s continued support for democratic institutions and inclusive politics.
Kuukpen highlighted that sustained dialogue among political stakeholders is essential to preserve peace and ensure that democratic processes deliver meaningful outcomes for all.
Counselor Teplah Reeves, who represented the National Elections Commission (NEC), underscored the importance of cooperation between the Commission and political parties in fostering credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.
Participants hailed the inauguration as a milestone in the democratic evolution, one that reinforces the role of political parties, not only as competitors during elections, but also as key partners in governance, stability, and accountability.
The IPCC was established by political parties in collaboration with the NEC as a platform for dialogue, coordination, and consensus-building to reduce political tensions and address electoral concerns.