Movement for Justice in Africa
Encyclopedia
Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) is a leftist pan-African political organization that is mostly active in Liberia
, with chapters in Ghana
and The Gambia
. It was founded in 1973 by Togba Nah Tipoteh, who is to this day its president. Early members included Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh
, Dew Tuan-Wreh Mason, Amos Sawyer
, who served as President of the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) in 1990-94, and Kukoi Samba Sanyang
, a Gambian revolutionary who had been one of the leaders of a coup attempt in Banjul in 1981.
MOJA played a pivotal role in the struggle for social justice and democracy in Liberia. Through its sensitization work in the 1970s, it raised national political consciousness to an unprecedentedly high level, radicalizing the mass of urban and rural poor and sections of the military. The heightened political consciousness and the agitation it precipitated led to the collapse of the settler oligarchy which had ruled Liberia in a manner not unlike colonialism for over a century.
MOJA has waned in significance in recent years. But in early 2007, efforts aimed at reviving the movement were initiated.
MOJA participates in elections under the name Liberian People's Party
.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, with chapters in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and The Gambia
The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia , is a country in West Africa. Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west....
. It was founded in 1973 by Togba Nah Tipoteh, who is to this day its president. Early members included Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh
Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh
Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh is a Liberian politician and diplomat. He is the Liberian Government's current National Security Advisor in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration. Immediately previous to his appointment as National Security Advisor, he served as Advisor on International Affairs in the...
, Dew Tuan-Wreh Mason, Amos Sawyer
Amos Sawyer
Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer was the President of the Interim Government of National Unity in Liberia . Sawyer was born to Abel Sawyer and Sarah Sawyer in 1945, of Sarpo ethnicity; his siblings include Joe Sawyer; the Sawyers were a prominent family in Sinoe County...
, who served as President of the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) in 1990-94, and Kukoi Samba Sanyang
Kukoi Samba Sanyang
Kukoi Samba Sanyang led a 1981 rebellion against the democratically elected Gambian government of President Dawda Jawara.On 31 July 1981, while Jawara was abroad, a 12-member National Revolutionary Council headed by Mr. Sanyang seized control of the country. The leftist NRC accused Jawara's...
, a Gambian revolutionary who had been one of the leaders of a coup attempt in Banjul in 1981.
MOJA played a pivotal role in the struggle for social justice and democracy in Liberia. Through its sensitization work in the 1970s, it raised national political consciousness to an unprecedentedly high level, radicalizing the mass of urban and rural poor and sections of the military. The heightened political consciousness and the agitation it precipitated led to the collapse of the settler oligarchy which had ruled Liberia in a manner not unlike colonialism for over a century.
MOJA has waned in significance in recent years. But in early 2007, efforts aimed at reviving the movement were initiated.
MOJA participates in elections under the name Liberian People's Party
Liberian People's Party
The Liberian People's Party is a political party in Liberia.In the 11 October 2005 elections, the party participated as part of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy ....
.