Published: July 14, 2025
TRIPLE CROWN PAVILION, Kentucky, USA — Bong County Senator Prince Moye and Representatives Marvin Cole and Eugene Kollie shocked supporters over the weekend by publicly reconciling after years of political rivalry, embracing on stage during the United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA) national convention.
The emotional reunion, held at the Triple Crown Pavilion Conference Center, drew loud cheers from Liberians in the diaspora, many of whom had long viewed the trio’s divisions as a major obstacle to progress back home.
The most dramatic moment came when Rep. Cole, a longtime political rival of Moye, pledged publicly to step aside in any future election if he and the senator were to run for the same position.
“If we both have the opportunity to become President of Liberia, I will step aside and allow you to go,” Cole said, drawing renewed applause as Moye smiled.
Cole, who is reportedly eyeing the Bong County Senate seat in 2029, would likely face former District 5 Representative Edward Karfiah, one of Moye’s closest political allies. His public overture to Moye has sparked speculation over whether the senator will endorse him or Karfiah — a choice that could either solidify or shatter the new political truce.
In an emotional address, Cole apologized to Moye for years of personal and political attacks.
“I want to personally appeal to Senator Moye, my brother and friend,” he said. “The people of the United States of America — both home and abroad — have touched my heart. Today, I let go of everything I ever held against you.”
He also vowed to end his public criticism of the senator, saying: “Senator Moye is the senior senator of Bong County. I have made one solemn vow: I will never, until I leave this Earth, speak against him in public.”
Representative Eugene Kollie, another former critic of Moye, also used the platform to reconcile. Kollie, who had previously accused Moye of undermining him, referred to the senator as the “father of Bong County” and promised to set aside their differences for the good of the county.
The trio’s unexpected unity overwhelmed Bong County Superintendent Loleya Hawa Norris, who broke down in tears during the ceremony. Norris, often caught in the middle of the lawmakers’ political rifts, said she was hopeful the reconciliation would result in genuine collaboration for the county’s development.
“This is what we have prayed for — our leaders coming together,” Norris said.
The 2025 UBCAA convention was held under the theme “Cultivating Unity and Reconciliation for a Better Bong County” and attracted high-profile leaders from across Liberia’s diaspora.
Political analysts say the reconciliation could ease tensions in the Bong Legislative Caucus, where the Moye-Cole feud had long been seen as a barrier to coordinated action on key issues.
Just months ago, in April, Moye and Superintendent Norris launched a reconciliation committee to address divisions among Bong lawmakers. At the time, Cole rejected the initiative, branding Moye as a divisive figure unfit to lead any unity process. He accused the senator of “strangling” him in the Legislature and sowing chaos in the county.
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