-Cllr. Brumskine and Sen. Karnga-Lawrence Emotionally Venerate Liberty Party’s Reunion
By Jerromie S. Walters
Emotions overtook Liberty Party’s International Women’s Day celebration on Saturday, especially when Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine and Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence recounted the Liberty Party’s hard-won journey from bitter division to reconciliation.
At the event, held under the theme “Accelerate Action to Unlock Rights, Power, and Opportunity for Women and Girls,” on March 29, 2025, at the LP headquarters in Congo Town, Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine celebrated Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence’s leadership and urged Liberian women to embrace resilience in the face of adversity. Cllr. Brumskine hailed Karnga-Lawrence as one of Liberia’s most admirable women, recounting how their sisterly bond was tested during the Liberty Party’s turbulent years.
Cllr. Brumskine: “One of the women that I admire most in this country is Senator Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence. Let me tell you why. I don’t think any sister, small sister, or big sister relationship was attacked, was exploited for other people’s gains more than my relationship with my big sister. There were people who were happy to see us in confusion. There are people today who will send me message to diminish the reconciliation that the Liberty Party has because there are women and men in this country who still don’t want to see strong women stand together.”
She accentuated the bitter leadership struggle that nearly destroyed the Liberty Party years after the death of its founder, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine. A factional war erupted between Karnga-Lawrence, the late Brumskine’s chosen successor, and Musa Bility, leading to prolonged legal battles and a fractured opposition. For over four years, the party was consumed by infighting, with competing claims to leadership paralyzing its political influence. At one point, Brumskine herself ran as the vice presidential candidate on the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) ticket in 2023, even though Karnga-Lawrence didn’t support
the alliance.
She recalled the choosing of now-Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung over Senator Lawrence in 2023 by now-President Joseph Nyuma Boakak, even though many expected that Senator Lawrence would have been chosen. Cllr. Brumskine hailed the Senator, noting that regardless of President Boakai’s decision. Instead of succumbing to defeat, Karnga-Lawrence pivoted—accepting the role of campaign manager and working tirelessly for her party’s success.
“When she did not get what she was hoping to get. She did not bury herself. She did not lie on the ground and said God I failed where am I going? She got up and she changed direction. She said even if I will not be the vice president, I will be the campaign manager. I will make sure I take this team to victory. This thing I am talking is not political talk. It’s woman-to-woman talk. It’s what we will teach our sisters and young women coming up,” she stated.
Cllr. Brumskine’ transcended politics, and offered life lessons for Liberian women. “You will not always get what you want in life. There will be disappointment. Your husband will disappoint you. Your children will disappoint you. Your own best friend can disappoint you. Don’t lay there. Pick yourself up. Show the world what the strength of a woman is.”
She also made a direct appeal to women across Liberia to join the Liberty Party’s revival: “This is what women’s leadership is about. There’s something happening in Liberty Party. We are asking you without causing confusion. We are not attacking any other political party to understand what’s happening here. Come and join us.” She spoke directly to the Protem, “Our ma… I learn from you. I learned how to not stand down. I learn how to get up and keep moving. Thank you.”
Senator Karnga-Lawrence Celebrates LP’s Reunification
Prior to Cllr. Brumskine’s comments, Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Liberia’s Senate Pro Tempore and Political Leader of the Liberty Party (LP), acknowledged the emotional spirit the occasion delivered considering the party’s years of struggle for unity. “Although we came to celebrate, this has become an emotional day,” she told attendees. “I am proud that in the Liberty Party, we no longer speak of division. Ours is the only party that fought, split, and came back together—stronger than before.”
The Political Leader highlighted the LP’s turbulent past, marked by leadership disputes and legal battles following the death of its founder, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine. Now, with internal strife resolved, Karnga-Lawrence emphasized collective leadership: “All of us are leaders because we chose reconciliation.”
In observance of Women’s Month, the Senator honored several trailblazing women of the Liberty Party (LP), including Cllr. Brumskine and urged attendees to celebrate women’sachievements. “Women must lift each other up,” she said. “Our strength lies in unity.”
Looking ahead, Karnga-Lawrence announced plans to expand the party’s vocational training initiatives with a new youth and women’s mentorship program. The initiative aims to equip younger generations with leadership skills and economic opportunities, aligning with the event’s theme of unlocking potential.
International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, is a global day celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality, with the 2025 theme being “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” However, the entire March is Women’s History Month.
