IPNews-Monrovia: A famous proverb that says: “Cow die too many times before they know they are dead”, may soon be manifested in the body politics of Liberia.
The country which has gone through many years of civil wars, including ethnic retributions is about to show its ugly face once more if serious caution and abandonment of the much talked about December 30, 2019, demonstration under the slogan ‘Weah step down’.
It may be recalled, The Council of Patriots –COP, on Monday evening, September 24, 2019, stated in press release under the slogan, ‘Save the State” that it will hold mass demonstration across the country, to demand the immediate resignation of President George Manneh Weah.
COP disclosed that the second wave of protest is due to the failure by the government of President George Mananeh Weah, to ahead to terms listed in their petition presented to the President’s office his office and circulated to the Media on June 12, 2019.
The group release also stated that since its previous protest held on June 7th, 2019, which brought together Liberians from all walks of life to draw the government of Liberia attention to the woeful economic and political situation in the Country, the government has not responded adequately to those concerns.
The release further noted that their petition to the Weah’s administration was in demand of swift response on key matters of political and economic governance, which the government has failed to address even after three months following the submission of their petition.
COP: “We submitted on June 12,2019, a petition statement to President Weah, in which we made demands for action, swift and otherwise, on key matters of Political and economic governance , but after 3 months of waiting in vain and witnessing a badly worsening economy attended by increasing hardship and poverty, we have concluded that President George Weah doesn’t care about the wellbeing of the Liberian people and has elected not to act on our demands.”
Furthermore, COP release said their decision to stage a mass protest come December 30, followed careful deliberations and weighing of all options under the law of Liberia. “Now therefore, we the Council of Patriots having met, deliberated and weighted all of our options under the law, do hereby announce and declare a nationwide, nonstop peaceful protest to demand the unconditional resignation of President George Manneh Weah as President of Liberia. The protest shall begin on Monday, December 30th and continue unabated until President Weah steps down. We are tired and can no longer accept to live under these harsh and unfair conditions brought on by his incompetence and insensitive behavior.” Cop statement concluded.
Minutes after the release by COP, Information Minister Eugene Nagbe, while attending the United Nations General Assembly along President George Manneh Weah , in New York, swiftly reacted stating that the Government of Liberia has termed the mobilization of individuals and resources within and without of Liberia by a group calling itself “Council of Patriots (CoP)” to execute a “Weah Step Down,” campaign beginning December 30, 2019 as “unconstitutional and treasonous,” noting that such act is an offense against the internal security of the state.
On Monday, December 3, 2019, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice, responded to a communication from COP dated November 11, 2019 requesting the government to provide security protection to allow them hold a peaceful assembly in Monrovia beginning December 30, 2019, contrary to earlier statement that it was holding a mass demonstration on December 30, 2019, for the unconditional ‘step-down’ of President George Manneh Weah, as 25th President of the Republic of Liberia.
However, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) responded that the Ministry of Justice has “taken cognizance to several public pronouncements emanating from the hierarchy of the CoP, characterizing the assembly as the beginning of a ‘Weah Step Down’ campaign.”
The ministry stated that it is not with the legal authority to grant permit, protection or approval to the CoP to undertake an act which is undisputed in clear violation of the constitution and statutory laws of Liberia.
The Ministry of Justice communication to the acting Chair of the CoP, Mohammed Ali, the Ministry warned that individuals comprising of the leadership of the CoP will be held personally, individually and collectively culpable and liable under the law for consequences associated with their actions.
The communication reminded the CoP that the government is aware that in preparation to execute their planned objectives they have solicited and received funding from individuals both from in and out of Liberia, some of whom may not be citizens of Liberia.
The ministry of Justice points out that President George Manneh Weah was duly elected President by the people of Liberia and inaugurated on January 22, 2018 for a six-year term, emphasizing that any removal prior to the expiry of the term of the president may occur only by impeachment as provided under Article 62 of the Liberian Constitution.
Referencing interpretation of Article 1 of the 1986 Constitution by the Supreme Court of Liberia, the government said there is no provision for the “Weah Step Down” campaign in the constitution and statutory laws of Liberia.
“All power is inherent in the people, all free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so required,” Article 1 of the Liberian constitution states.
It continues: “In order to ensure democratic governance which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people shall have the right at such period and in such manner as provided for under the Constitution to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill vacancies by regular elections and appointments.”
On June 7, it can be recalled, the CoP staged a mass assembly aimed at drawing the government’s attention to issues, they said, were related to governance and the economic climate of Liberia.
The assembly by the group, however, ended in deadlock as organizers refused to deliver their petition to the government, a move which ruptured the essence of the assembly.
The group was later plunged into further quagmire as issues of corruption and uncertainty over how monies generated for the assembly were expended, leading to the breakaway of key supporters, including former Montserrado County Representative Rufus Neufville, and sitting Margibi County Senator Oscar Cooper as well as the advocacy group, Economic Freedom Fighters.
Surprisingly, Representative Acarus Gray, in a social media post early Monday morning , December 3, 2019, laugh at the COP planned demonstration saying in a Liberian pigpen English
“Wait na, so we will just put our hands behind our back and the other people say step down and step down take place?” CLEANING THE INHERITED MESS”
But in a unwarranted reaction, famous talk show host Henry P. Costa, early on Tuesday morning on the Voice of America, morning show ‘day break Africa programme’, termed the Ministry of Justice responds as laughable and clear manifestation of the government underlining intend to suppress free speech and freedom of expression.
Costa argued that it’s the right of the citizens to peacefully assemble and the Council of Patriot is committed to ensuring Liberians voices are heard.
Another prominent figure of the COP, and a member of the 54th Legislature has rallied African leaders to approve the December 30, 2019 mass planned demonstration intended to remove President George Weah as President of Liberia barely two years into his Presidency.
It may be recalled Liberians under the banner “The Council of Patriots” headed by vocal Talk-show Host, Henry Costa few months threatened to stage a nationwide and sustained protest to demand President George Weah to step down.
A key member of the Protest Montserrado County District #10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah who departed the country to solicit supports from neighboring countries as in his word ‘to dethrone the CDC-led government through Weah step down campaign’, said neighboring countries have consented to unseating President George Weah but vowed to disclose names of African leaders he met.
This claim could not be independently verified up to press time due to the diplomatic channels of request.
The district to lawmaker also noted that he has informed African leaders that the peace fought for by them has been threatened by the Weah administration.
He however noted that they will not leave the streets until president George steps down.
Rep. Kolubah made the disclosure Monday, December 2, 2019 on the 50-50 talk show with famous talk show host T-Max Jilateh.
