Oldest Congo City, Monrovia – Households dwelling within the Catholic Group of Oldest Congo City are asking for assist after their properties had been torn down with out warning. Many say they’re now sleeping outdoors with no meals, shelter, or place to go.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)-[email protected]
On Saturday, September 27, giant bulldozers got here into the neighborhood. They had been guarded by armed cops and courtroom sheriffs. Inside a number of hours, a number of homes had been destroyed.
“We weren’t even given a warning,” mentioned Ma Mary Gaye, a mom of 4 who has lived within the space for over 20 years. “All I may do was seize my youngsters and run. Every part we owned is gone.”
Courtroom Mentioned the Land Wasn’t Mr. Gaye’s — However Demolitions Continued
The residents say the destruction was ordered by Mr. Stanton V. Gaye, who claims the land belongs to his late member of the family. However in August 2024, the Supreme Courtroom of Liberia dominated that Mr. Gaye has no proper to the land, and that it had already been offered to others a few years in the past.
To make issues even clearer, the Probate Courtroom additionally gave a warning in September 2024, saying that nobody ought to do enterprise with Mr. Gaye or attempt to take the land. This sort of authorized warning is known as a Caveat.
Though each courts mentioned the land doesn’t belong to Mr. Gaye, the demolitions went forward anyway.
“Why Go to Courtroom If the Regulation Doesn’t Shield Us?”
“What’s the purpose of going to courtroom if the ruling means nothing?” requested Thomas Zayzay, one of many affected residents. “We received our case. However at this time, we’re sleeping outdoors.”
Many residents consider Mr. Gaye is utilizing his connections with highly effective individuals to disregard the legislation. They’re additionally very upset that the police had been used to assist destroy their properties.
“They sprayed tear gasoline like we had been criminals,” mentioned one resident, who requested to not be named. “We’re peaceable individuals. We simply need to stay the place we’ve lived for years.”
Extra Victims, Extra Ache
The destruction didn’t simply have an effect on one or two households—it hit the entire neighborhood. Victims embody Mr. A. Darkpay Johnson, Mrs. Lilian Wonsiah, Rev. Siaway, Mr. Harry Wleh, Mr. Julius Nimley, the Group Chairman, and plenty of extra households, a few of whom have lived within the space for many years.
What the Group Needs
In an open letter, the residents are asking the federal government to behave rapidly. They’re calling for the demolitions to cease instantly. Additionally they need Mr. Stanton V. Gaye and anybody else concerned within the destruction to be arrested and delivered to justice.
They’re asking the courts and authorities officers to completely respect the earlier Supreme Courtroom ruling and the Caveat from the Probate Courtroom. Residents additionally need a truthful investigation into whether or not police and courtroom officers helped Mr. Gaye perform these actions. Most significantly, they’re asking for defense and help for all of the households who misplaced their properties.
The neighborhood just isn’t solely asking Liberian leaders for assist. They’re additionally calling on worldwide human rights teams to step in and ensure this doesn’t occur once more.
“We aren’t squatters. We had courtroom papers to show we belong right here,” mentioned Sarah Johnson, one other resident whose dwelling was destroyed. “However it looks like no one is listening.”
To this point, nobody from the federal government or Mr. Gaye’s facet has spoken publicly concerning the incident. However the households say they won’t hand over.
