—-As Gov’t Orders Full-scale Investigation
IPNEWS: In the aftermath of Tuesday’s Independence Day nasty showdown before the United States Embassy near Monrovia, and swift ordering of the investigation by the government of Liberia, the authoritative Independent Probe has established the names of aggressors in the violent attack against SUP-Militants.
During the attack, several members of the Student Unification Party (SUP) at the state-run University of Liberia were left injured in a counter-protest staged by supporters of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
On Tuesday, July 26, one of SUP designated spots of its much-heralded “Fix The Country” campaign aimed at denouncing “bad governance” and its vices including corruption, poverty, and insecurity under the Weah-led administration came under sustained attack.
SUP stated that its campaign was also intended to dissuade citizens from joining the Government in celebrating Liberia’s 175th Independence.
While the official ceremony was being held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmun Street, SUP’s assembly soon turned sour at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy up Snipper Hill, Benson Street when a pro-government group, the CDC- Council of Patriots stormed the protest ground and attacked SUP members. While many SUP members fled, some were caught by the pro-government group.
Disturbing footage from the protest ground showed a member of SUP, identified as Christopher Walter Sisulu Sivili being beaten and tortured. In what appeared to be a disturbing reminiscence of the brutal civil war, the student was seen surrounded by a group of CDC loyalists who pounded him with heavy blows and slaps. They stripped him naked as blood oozed from his nose and mouth. Some rained curses on him, and torturing him, said he and his colleagues were being ungrateful to President Weah, who, among other things, has offered them free tuition.
As he was being brutalized, anti-riot police stood by, watched, and laughed without doing anything to rescue him; much to the astonishment of journalists and some onlookers and motorcyclists who later came to his rescue after he was abandoned by his tormentors. Another member of SUP identified as Paul Dolo was also wounded. Some members are still missing, according to SUP officials.
The Spokesperson of SUP, Mohammed Shabazz Jalloh accused Mayor Jefferson Koijee as the mastermind behind the CDC supporters’ action.
Said Jalloh: “What occurred Tuesday, was total hooliganism and gangsterism and Jefferson Koijee was the ringleader of what occurred because what we saw, these were elements of the CDC Youth Wing. They went there and along with them were several members of the CDC Youth Wing. The office of Mayor Koijee has not officially responded to this latest allegation by the SUP Spokesman.
Photos of obtained by IPNEWS of Christopher Walter Sisulu Sivili SUP-Militant, shows that he is critical condition and Doctors attaining to him stated that he could not eat or say a word since Tuesday, July 26.
In all this, a classified leaked transcript available to IPNEWS has named several partisans of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) as the aggressors of Tuesday’s violence peaceful protesters.
Those names in the attack against peaceful SUP Protesters are Ben Believed Togba, Foday M. Massaquoi, rank-leader Thomas Oneal Roberts, Youth Chair, District No. 2, Melvin Mawolo, Chairman, District No. 3, and Gayazeon Davies, Youth Chairman, District No. 10. Others named in the leaked transcript include David Saydee, youth chairman, District No. 13. Saydee, was clearly seen undressing SUP-militant Christopher Walter Sisulu Sivili.
The CDC in its released Wednesday, July 27, condemned the attack on SUP, and called for a swift investigation into the attack.
The Coalition for Democratic Change stated that it is shocked by allegations of violence on Tuesday, July 26, in Monrovia and expressed its total disapproval.
The CDC released noted that as a peaceful, law-abiding, and nonviolent political institution will continue to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against any form of violence.
Besides, the use of violence as a medium through which political expressions are sought is reprehensible, unjustified, and runs contrary to the ideology and philosophy of the CDC.
Henceforth, the CDC condemns in the strongest possible terms these alleged acts of brutality committed by lawless elements and calls on the Liberia National Police to launch a speedy investigation (on all sides) determined to establish the facts and to bring the culprits to justice.
Therefore, as we call for the prosecution of all those allegedly involved, the CDC assures the Liberia National Police of its unconditional cooperation, if needed.
We also call on the Liberia National Police to conduct a holistic investigative process in response to strong allegations that members of the CDC (who are being treated in different hospitals) sustained injuries meted out by anti-government protesters in different locations.
Lastly, we use this medium to encourage the combined political opposition to confront the CDC-led government more openly if they will, rather than hiding behind members of the student community to portray a false sense of governance dysfunction.
Meanwhile, several pro-democracy organizations including NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL ), and CEMESP, among others have all condemned in the strongest term, the ill-treatment meted against protesting students of the Students Unification Party (SUP) by a group loyal to the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) under the banner of CDC Council of Patriots (CDC-COP).
