IPNEWS-MONROVIA, Christmas Day: In less than a week since the public pronouncement by Liberia’s president George Manneh Weah that he will not negotiate with the Council of Patriots-CoP, planners of the ‘Weah step down’ demonstration, the government of Liberia at the head of a high power delegation on yesterday held dialogue meeting with the CoP at the offices of the Council of Churches and the inter religious Council, on 15 st. Warder Avenue.
The meeting which was called by the inter religious council of Liberia comprising religious leaders from both the Islamic and Christian faiths, witnessed the surprised attendance of key government officials led by Justice Minister, Frank Musah Dean, Gender Minister and Labour Minister.
The meeting which lasted for nearly seven hours according to sources saw the unprecedented demands by members of the CoP, led by Henry Costa and Mo Ali.
Sources told IPNews minutes after the meeting that the Council of Patriots-CoP, has demanded $400,000 USD, to satisfy other expensive already undertaken.
According to the report, CoP also demanded five senior government positions; dropping of criminal charges against Rep. Yekeh Korlubah and payment of rental for lead campaigner Henry P. Costa while on studies in the USA, over the next four years.
These claims has not be independently verified by IPNews as all members of the inter religious council and CoP have refused to comment on the matter and refused to take phone calls.
It’s may be recalled, president George Manneh Weah in a live nationwide broadcast on Monday, December 23,2019, vowed not to negotiate or sit on a dialogue table with members of CoP, because they have refused to present tangible reasons for both the December 30, protest and previously held June 7,2019, protest.
This move by the government of Liberia to negotiate with members of CoP has sent controversies across Liberia on Christmas day,with many hailing the move by the government of Liberia and the inter religious Council to initiate the dialogue, while other citizens at most of the intellectual centres in the hot of town Christmas morning criticised the move and termed the president and government action to dialogue with CoP as ‘weak and unfortunate’.
The dialogue meeting precipitated yesterday’s exchanges between the government of Liberia and Republican Representative Chris Smith, that the government of Liberia was doing nothing to protecting the civil liberties of its citizens.
Rep. Smith, accused key members of the Weah administration of masterminding unwarranted human rights violations, including the right to freely expressed themselves.
The government swiftly reacted to Rep. Chris Smith, assertions,terming it as ‘ lacking the reality’.
The government also stated that Rep. generalisation of the happenings in Liberia was not based on facts but lies being perpetrated by former TRC commissioner Jerome Verdier.
The government further stated that as part of it desire to strengthen relations between the government of Liberia and the government of the United States, it will despatch a high power government delegation to the US early 2020. For more on this story, keep login to www.independentprobe.com
14 thoughts on “Weah Bows’ to Costa pressure? As top gov’t officials Hold dialogue meeting with CoP; December 30, a blindfold in full sight”
Thanks for the update.
Lord have MERCY on Liberia.
This meeting is belated. President Weah needs to just pack up and leave.
If the ulterior motive of the CoP and its protests is to get compensation from the Government of Liberia as a form of blackmail then their mission have been sadly compromised. The struggle for the rights of the masses cannot be undermined in the interests of an person, or group of persons acting for their own benefits under the camouflage of advocates. We say no to political blackmail, witch-hunting and the rampant misuse of advocacy.
I am so very glad that this meeting was held so that the Liberian peopleβs know the kind of people they called hero. If the government of Liberia give any moneyβs to those criminals and good for nothing people, thatβs mean anyone can get on the streets to protest and blackmail the government for moneyβs and the lives of people are not safe with the government
This is so sad for Liberia wherein 85% of it inhabitants live in abject poverty and unbearable destitute lives and barely provide for their family. I think the time has come for Liberians to wake up and open their eyes and the minds against those self center politicians. Today’s meeting with this high profile criminals and so called CoP shows the clear manifestation that this fool called Costa and his surrogates are not in nowhere in the interest of the Liberian people but rather than their own selfish gains. Who the hell they think they are demanding to a government that do not even able pay civil servants on time due economy sabotage, or they think they are more liberians than others? This will surely be a greatest mistake ever should a government of Liberia meet with this senseless demand and it will set as a footpath for the beginning of the end of this government as well as a threat to national security and the people of Liberia.
This government should not allow these opposition politicians to share power. This is an elected government. President Weah please don’t allow these people to build edge of your government. When they get into the street, they should be dealt with according to the law. Even in the great America, police can deal with the people in the street. If you don’t take action on these people, they will not stop this nonsense.
If this is true, I am not surprised at the demands of those criminals. Let Liberians continue to support those who have nothing to offer the nation.
However, I am very happy that the Government of Liberia responded to the invitation of the Religious Council of Liberia. It is customary for the Government of Liberia to respect the intervention of the Religious Council of Liberia.
Your “Weah Bows to Costa” is completely out of context, and it is nonsensical.
If the Government had refused to accept the invitation of the Religious Council, you would have been the first to point out that the President is not in the interest of peace. You see your life?
Accepting the invitation of the Religious Council should not be taken as a weakness on the part of the Government.
President Weah said that he would not sit with the so-called COP, and he did not. The Government of Liberia respectfully responded to the invitation of the Religious Council of Liberia. That was excellent, because as African, we were brought up to respect our elders and leaders.
Some of you do not understand, because of your very poor upbringing.
Thank God for the Wisdom of His Excellency President Dr George Menneh Weah.
Like seriously? This is detrimental. We know the intent of these men now. They’re all self-seeking and sycophants deluging the masses under their pretence banner, advocacy? It’s disheartening to know. Woe onto them all.
Though sounds disappointing, I don’t believe in these writings until verified!
What you call bow down will be hail by the international community at the end of the day because President Weah will be given a NOBLE PEACE PRIZE for been peaceful, protecting the constitution and Liberians from dark minded and so call Politicians..Even in the great America when the peace and constitution is compromise, who ever are involved will be dealt with according to the law. If I was the president Costa and Yekeh should have been arrested long time, because even in America people like Costa was going to be arrested and prosecuted the same day and send to prison.you guys are demanding for 5 positions don’t you know even if these positions are given you you still work at the will and pleasure of the president or you telling me these positions will be IMMUNE? why in facts are you guys requesting for all criminal charges should be dropt against Yekeh and this same Yekeh should be the one protecting and defending the constitution for which he was call to serve by the Liberian people; trust me Costa you are next then Mo Ali…
This story is a lie!! The COP will not demand money nor top government position. The writer of this article I think is a lier and should not be taking serious..
This is disinformation, misinformation and blatant lies. The delegation was not truly representative of the Kitchen cabinet of the CDC kleptocracy presently purporting as the Liberian government. Justice Minister Cllr. Musa Dean has no clout, because he has been incapable of holding City Mayor Jefferson Koijee accountable for his Human Rights abuses and the culture of impunity, and lack of security in the country. Where is Eugene Nagbe, Samuel D. Tweah,and Nathaniel Mcgill or President George M. Weah? Who is the labour Minister? Gender Minister Mamesie Kaba is in way over her head to say the least. This makes no sense. It is without merit. The major stakeholders in the kleptocracy is suspiciouslt absent. Thats my take. Keep the pressure on.
Why did the CoP demand $400,000? Who are the beneficiaries of the money and will the money resolve the presumed crises? Will the demands bring lasting peace? Are all these protests predicated on monetary compensation? Finally, does anyone know that political instability (strikes, protests, etc.) drives away investors who could provide jobs and better living standards for our people? Please respond.
Beware! Fools.