As President George Weah Grieves Over Her Death
FLASHBACK: Rep. Youngblood on the day she returned to Plenary last January
By William Selmah, wselmah@gmail.com
‘It took God to deliver me’ was how Montserrado County District #9 Representative (CDC), Munah Pelham Youngblood described her recovery from a long period of illness on January 13, 2020, as she sat in the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
Now, less than six months later, the Chairman of the House Committee on Executive has finally taken her exist for good and is being succumbed by death, making her the second Liberian Lawmaker to die in the past one week.
Just over a week following the fall of Sinoe County Rep. Nagbe Sloh,, the House of Representatives is again mourning the death of another member, with confirmed news that Rep. Youngblood has died.
Rep. Youngblood’s death followed a prolonged illness, having sought treatment both at home and abroad. The exact cause of death is not yet known.
She was first elected to the Legislature in 2011, the youngest ever elected then in post conflict Liberia.
Rep. Youngblood successfully retained her post at the 2017 polls, defeating all of her competitors.
There is an outpouring of condolences to the bereaved family on social media from all walks of life locally and internationally.
The charismatic lawmaker will be remembered as an ardent sports lover (one of the daughters of fallen coach of the national football team Walter Pelham) who had a stint as a model before entering politics.
Rep. Youngblood in conversation with a female colleague in the House Chambers when she returned to session last January
Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah a short while ago described the death of Rep. Youngblood as “a pillar and stateswoman”, according to an Executive Mansion press release below.
Pres. Weah Grieves Over Death of Late Honorable Munah Pelham-Youngblood
(July 8, 2020 – Monrovia, Liberia): The President of Liberia, H.E. Dr. George M. Weah has expressed profound grief at the passing of Montserrado County Representative Munah Pelham-Youngblood.
The late Honorable Pelham-Youngblood was one of the matriarchs of the Congress for Democratic Change and now the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change who campaigned vigorously to ensure the coalition won the 2017 general and presidential elections.
She died following a protracted period of illness.
President Weah described the deceased lawmaker as a pillar of the CDC and a great stateswoman whose active leadership role at the National Legislature contributed enormously to nurturing the country’s democracy. She was also a strong advocate for women leadership and empowerment.
The Liberian Leader conveys his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, the House of Representatives and the Coalition for Democratic Change for the loss of a selfless public servant. He urged the family of the fallen lawmaker to take solace in the Lord and called on Liberians to remember them in their prayers.
The death of the Montserrado County District 9 Lawmaker is also a great loss to the Liberian entertainment industry which she was passionate about, as a former Miss Liberia 1st runner-up.
Dr. Weah said Representative Pelham-Youngblood’s towering impact on every facet of Liberian life will be remembered for a long time.