By Danlette G. Washington (Photos Credit: Liberian Radio & Television Network -LRTN)

On September 16, 2023, the 49th General Assembly and presidential elections of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) commenced.

However, the assembly and elections faced disruption from some aggrieved chapters of the union and certain members of the ULAA Board of Directors.

Following the unsuccessful assembly, the union became divided and engaged in a legal dispute between the current administration, led by Hon. J. Shiwoh Kamara, and the former board chairman of ULAA, Dea. Alfred Sieh.

Hon. Kamara asserted that after the disruption of the September 16 elections, Dea. Sieh’s tenure as board chairman of ULAA expired.

However, Dea. Sieh declined to conduct board elections and instead attempted to manage the union’s daily affairs by appointing an interim government.

Consequently, Hon. Kamara initiated a lawsuit against Dea. Sieh in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

For Tuesday’s court hearing, ULAA President Hon. J. Shiwoh Kamara, his legal team led by Cllr. Charles Sunwabe, Former Board Chairman Dea. Alfred Sieh, his lawyer Cllr. Nixon Kannah, and supporters of both parties were present.

In the opening statements, Cllr. Kannah, representing defendant Sieh, filed a motion asking the court to hold ULAA Financial Team members, Mr. Alexander Bazzie and Dr. Will Jallah, in contempt for not releasing funds from ULAA’s account to cover the March 2 elections.

However, Judge Barry declined, acknowledging his understanding of the underlying intentions in the union dispute and commending ULAA’s contributions to the Liberian community in the United States.

“I will not hold any of ULAA’s officials in contempt, because I understand the intent of the fight in dispute with the union. ULAA is a good organization, and you all are doing a great job for the Liberian community in the United States. And there needs to be a way to mend fences,” Judge Barry stated.

Cllr. Kannah also requested reimbursement for the expenses paid to Honest Ballot for the March 2 elections, claiming these were funded by volunteer donations.

Allegations surfaced that the March 2 election was financed by opposing candidate Mohammed Kieta, also known as MSG1.

Moreover, community members at the hearing expressed their disappointment if it were true that Mr. Sieh and Rev. Barclay misled the court regarding the election’s funding, demanding transparency and accountability for the funds.

Meanwhile, Judge Barry expressed disappointment over Team Kamara/Grant’s non-participation in the elections, which had been court-ordered. “You disobeyed the court’s orders by not participating in the recent elections,” he asserted.

On the stand, Hon. Kamara explained that their non-participation was due to unresolved chapter disputes, lack of consensus among chapters and the election commission, and tight scheduling, rather than a deliberate defiance of court orders.

President Kamara was cross-examined by both lawyers, Cllr. Charles Sunwabe and Cllr. Nixon Kannah.

Another testimony came from ULAA elections commissioner Mr. Bartee Togba. During cross-examination by Cllr. Sunwabe and Cllr. Kannah, ULAA elections commissioner, testified that the Election Commission (ULAAECOM) withdrew from the March 2 elections because not all court orders were implemented in time, the scheduling was too abrupt, and unauthorized arrangements with Honest Ballot were made by Rev. James Barclay, the board secretary, without the National Elections Commission’s consent.

Togba stated, “James Barclay, a board secretary, has no constitutional right to contact Honest Ballot and make arrangements for elections. It is the elections commission and the National Leadership who have the right to contact, make arrangements, and make payments to Honest Ballot concerning election matters,” highlighting the distance many commission members had to travel to Philadelphia, where the elections were held, except for him.

In closing, Judge Barry instructed a representative from Honest Ballot to directly mail the provisional ballot results from Georgia and Ohio to his office, emphasizing that these results could determine the financial secretary position’s outcome. He stated that certification of the March 2 elections would depend on these results, possibly leading to a rescheduled election or other resolutions.

The hearing highlighted chapter leaders’ concerns regarding the claim that the elections were funded by volunteer donations, amidst allegations from community members about misinformation provided by Mr. Sieh and Rev. Barclay regarding the election’s financing.

Due to that, public concern arose over why ULAA should reimburse funds willingly donated by volunteers.

At the end, the judge concluded by commending both parties’ dedication and instructed ULAA to ensure payment of legal fees, suggesting a payment plan if necessary due to insufficient funds.

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