IPNEWS-Monrovia: Following public outcry by the people of Lofa County and Liberians in general about the presence of a group of khaki uniforms and red berets-wearing Liberians in the county, believed to be members of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Montserrado County District #5 Representative, Thomas P. Fallah has confirmed that indeed those khaki-wearing militants belong to the CDC.
Speaking to OK FM 99.5 morning show on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Representative Fallah said the presence of the CDC militants is in no way a threat to the peace and stability of Lofa County as being perceived by the public.
He noted those CDC militants’ sole responsibility is to provide ‘maximum security and protection’ the candidate endorsed by the ruling CDC and other executives and officials who are currently in Lofa to canvass for the pending Lofa County Senatorial by-elections.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) recently announced the postponement of the Lofa by-elections due to ongoing legal battle at the Supreme Court of Liberia over the legitimacy of an erstwhile member of the Collaboration of Political Parties (CPP), the former ruling Unity Party (UP) can field a candidate in the elections following their withdrawal from the CPP. The CPP’s framework prohibits constituent parties that leave the collaboration to field candidates in any given election until after the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.
The Montserrado County District #5 Representative however noted that the parading of political party militants is not strange to Liberian politics as in the past the likes of National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), the National Patriotic Party (NPP) among others have paraded militants who provided protection for their candidates and officials during political campaigns.
Meanwhile, Liberians are of the view that the putting of militants in the streets by the ruling CDC does not signal any good intent, moreover, what will happen if all of the political parties decide to parade uniformed militants to protect their respective candidates and party officials, while there is a national security force clothed with the responsibility to protect lives and properties.
Some Liberians who spoke to IPNEWS say putting militants in the streets by the governing CDC does not augur well for the political landscape as some of these militants who are not trained professional may go after people they perceived as enemies or opposition to their leaders. “Taking a look at our political landscape we fear that these militants will things as they pleased to satisfy their leaders who are part of the governing party.”
