Monrovia – The streets of Liberia’s capital are bracing for a protest as demonstrators, chanting “Sufficient is sufficient!”, rally below the banners of Solidarity and Belief for A New Day (STAND) and the “We the Individuals Motion,” demanding accountability from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and his administration.
By Jaheim T. Tumu | @frontpageafricaonline.com
Main the cost is STAND Chairman Mulbah Okay. Morlu, who has known as on President Boakai to look in individual and obtain a petition from the protesters.
In response to Morlu, the demonstration is extra than simply one other protest—it’s a determined name to motion from a inhabitants burdened by poverty, poor governance, and escalating insecurity.
“Joseph Boakai went to the communities to marketing campaign. He got here to our cities and villages to ask for votes. So why can’t he present the identical respect to come back and obtain the petition from those self same individuals?” Morlu requested in a fiery assertion to the media at his residence.
The STAND chairman stated the protest seeks to focus on a broad vary of grievances, together with alleged police brutality, worsening financial circumstances, rampant corruption, and what he described as “political witch hunts” concentrating on opposition figures.
Among the many points raised was the alleged assault of ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Chairman Janga Kowo by members of the Liberia Nationwide Police. Kowo was overwhelmed shortly after former Home Speaker J. Fonati Koffa was imprisoned—an incident protesters imagine is a part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
“This nation is falling into lawlessness,” Morlu added. “They’re beating celebration chairmen, jailing former lawmakers, and utilizing the police as political enforcers. That’s not democracy.”
Morlu additionally condemned the violence in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, the place residents clashed with safety forces throughout a protest over locals’ grievances. Protesters declare some demonstrators had been killed or injured, and accused Police Inspector Normal Gregory Coleman of turning the police pressure into “a army wing of the Unity Social gathering.”
“We don’t acknowledge Gregory Coleman. He ought to be investigated and prosecuted for the brutal killing of residents,” Morlu declared.
He stated demonstrators from communities together with Level 4, Somalia Drive, and Freeport are converging in Monrovia as a part of what he known as a “coordinated mass protest.”
One protester, who recognized himself solely as a “Common man,” stated he had misplaced his job and will not afford lease.
“We’re not doing something. The federal government eliminated us from the payroll. A few of us have households to feed. This authorities isn’t serving to the individuals,” he informed reporters.
One other protester criticized the Boakai administration for allegedly turning on motorcyclists who had supported the Unity Social gathering throughout the elections, claiming that many are actually going through arbitrary arrests and street restrictions.
“They promised to help us. Now they beat our brothers, kill our individuals, and ban us from the streets,” one protester stated. “That’s betrayal.”
Morlu emphasised that the protest is peaceable and guarded below the Structure. He warned that President Boakai’s refusal to personally settle for the petition can be seen as disrespectful to the struggling lots.
“You can not ignore peaceable protesters,” Morlu stated. “If President Boakai really believes in democracy and respects the individuals, he’ll come and obtain the petition himself.”
He additionally cautioned safety forces towards any provocation that might result in violence.
Whereas organizers expressed hope for an enormous turnout, a number of components of Monrovia remained calm and quiet as of this report, elevating questions concerning the stage of public participation within the protest.
