Published: January 28, 2026
By Alphanso G. Kalama
MONROVIA — The East Coast leadership of the Unity Party in the United States and Canada (UPUSA/CA) has publicly distanced itself from a recent statement issued under the name of an “interim” leadership opposing Liberia’s proposed ports decentralization legislation.
In a release dated January 25, 2026, the East Coast Region clarified that no interim leadership currently exists within the Unity Party diaspora under the authority of Beatrice Johnson, and stressed that the region does not endorse her statement regarding the National Port Authority and the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act.
“There is no such interim leadership in the diaspora under Beatrice Johnson’s leadership,” the statement said, adding that the East Coast Region does not endorse Johnson’s pronouncement on the autonomous decision of the National Port Authority (NPA).
The rebuttal was signed by Thomas Ansumana, Chairman for Mobilization and Recruitment, and approved by James M. Rogers, Chairman of the East Coast Region.
The pushback follows a January 3, 2026 press release issued under the banner of The National Association of Members of the Unity Party in the United States and Canada, in which Johnson and fellow signatory John B. Fello described themselves as Chair and Co-Chairs urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. to veto the Liberia Sea and Inland Ports Decentralization and Modernization Act.
That earlier statement framed the bill as unconstitutional, a threat to national sovereignty, and a vehicle for fragmenting control over strategic national assets. It praised President Boakai’s initial veto and accused the Legislature of resubmitting a substantially unchanged bill.
However, the East Coast Region’s response highlights a leadership dispute within the diaspora structure itself, raising questions about Beatrace’s legitimacy as interim chair for Unity Party members abroad.
Beyond rejecting Johnson’s claim to interim leadership, the East Coast statement issued a cautionary note to party members in the diaspora, urging restraint until internal unity is achieved.
“We caution all members against interfering with governmental decision-making until unity is achieved within the diaspora,” the statement noted.
Ports Bill at the Center
This comes amid an intense national debate over the ports decentralization bill, which has lingered between the Legislature and the Executive. Proponents argue the law would modernize port operations and improve efficiency, while critics—including Johnson’s faction—say it would weaken executive authority, threaten the constitutional order, and expose Liberia’s ports to undue private influence.
The bill, which was vetoed early, has resurfaced on President Boakai’s desk, awaiting approval or rejection.
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