Monrovia – Tensions flared on the Capitol Constructing on Thursday, July 17, when an tried handover of a protest petition to the Liberian Senate was violently disrupted by stone-throwing demonstrators, leaving at the very least two officers injured.
By Obediah Johnson
The Capitol Constructing, seat of Liberia’s Nationwide Legislature, grew to become the scene of chaos as protesters below the banner of Solidarity and Belief for a New Day (STAND) started hurling rocks and sachets of water simply moments earlier than Senator Momo Cyrus, Chair of the Senate Committee on Nationwide Safety, might exit the premises to obtain their petition.
Senator Cyrus had been designated by the Senate management to simply accept the petition on behalf of the physique.
As he approached the principle gate, protesters erupted into chants of “Rogue! Rogue!” and commenced throwing projectiles into the Capitol compound. The sudden escalation compelled safety personnel to retreat, and two officers — one from the Liberia Nationwide Police and one other from the Capitol Constructing Safety — sustained head accidents within the melee.
Chatting with reporters shortly after the incident, Senator Cyrus expressed sturdy disappointment over the flip of occasions.
“It’s very disappointing. I hoped this course of can be peaceable,” he stated. “They’re our individuals, however seeing them throw rocks exhibits a unique intention. I assumed they’d considerations we might hearken to and handle by way of dialogue.”
Senator Cyrus stated the violent actions not solely undermined the protesters’ trigger but additionally raised broader safety considerations.
“This protest has critical safety implications. They need to have peacefully introduced their petition, and we’d have forwarded it to the Government Department by way of the correct channels,” he stated.
Calling the incident “uncivilized and heartbreaking,” Senator Cyrus emphasised that as Chair on Nationwide Safety, he was ready to current the petition to the Professional Tempore of the Senate, who would then convey it to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, the Senate’s Presiding Officer.
He additionally expressed confidence that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai would have been open to addressing the protesters’ grievances—had they been delivered peacefully.
“I’m disenchanted that we couldn’t keep on this course of due to the violence. How will we have interaction in dialogue once you start by throwing stones?” Cyrus requested.
Regardless of the disruption, Senator Cyrus stated the Senate stays open to receiving the petition at a later date—supplied the protesters preserve order and respect the legislation.
The protest, organized by STAND and led by former CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu, introduced a whole lot of Liberians to the streets of Monrovia. Protesters accuse the Unity Occasion-led authorities of President Boakai of failing to fight corruption, participating in political witch hunts, eroding the rule of legislation, and practising poor governance.
The protesters had initially deliberate to current their petition on to President Boakai on the Government Mansion. Nonetheless, in a last-minute transfer, the police declared the world a “no-go zone,” sparking outrage among the many demonstrators. On the time of the meeting on Capitol Hill, the President was in Congo City attending an AI promotional occasion. In response, the organizers have vowed to regroup and return in two weeks to ship the petition to the President.
