IPNEWS: The Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) on Thursday conveyed a mediation meeting ahead of the much-publicized December 17 peaceful rally organized by the Collaboration.
Speaking at the joint meeting Police Inspector General Patrick T. Sudue said the collaborative meeting was intended to portray the message of peace ahead of the December 17 peaceful rally
IG Sudue averred the LNP is an Institution cloth with the constitutional authority to provide Safety and Security for its people, they will provide a space for all Liberians on that day especially those who will be gathering at the outside facility of the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) in Paynesville.
He added that those who are organizing the rally are Liberians who the joint Security head assured as well as the public that, the LNP will be there to provide security for the Rally. “This is not the first time, we have done it for past peaceful rallies, and we will do all it takes to provide safety for that Day”.
The Police Inspector General noted their concerns is the safety of the Liberian people and marketers, who must be able to go about doing their normal businesses on that day without any hindrance as there will be security for all Liberians on that day.
He disclosed the LNP and in collaboration with other security agencies have provided safety passages for protesters, demonstrators in the past, so the December 17 Rally will be no different as the LNP will sure that all factors will be held constant so that a peaceful assembly of Liberians take place at the SKD while others will have access to freely move about and conduct their normal activities.
On his part, the Spokesperson of the Team Cummings and member of ‘We Taya Suffering’ Peaceful Rally said the meeting is in the right direction of the peace that we all enjoyed.
Amb. Lewis Brown thanked the IG for such a great meeting in the sure interest of the country and its people.
According to Amb. Brown, they are more assured that the CPP will conduct themselves in a peaceful way on that day “we will work together, and the rally will be held in peace”.
He said the peace and stability of the country matters to Liberians and stressed that “we will have a peaceful rally, anyone who wants to come out make sure to work in line with our objective which is a peaceful rally in the coming days.”
He indicated “the peace of the Nation matters to all of us. The peace we enjoy we are pleased it as well as with the meeting that is intended to maintain our hard-earn peace. Liberia is all we and we will work together along with the Joint Security in making sure that the right thing be done.”
Concluding, Amb. Brown who is also a former National Security Advisor to former President Charles Taylor, as well as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, obligation the opposition and every Liberian who will be attending the rally that they will work together to protect the peace of the country.
“That the Liberian people will have time to speak and what they will say we will submit it to the government at a later day. The proper representation is the Legislature and after that we can go to the President. We can assure you that this will be a very peaceful rally and here we are with the Police IG to make sure that the December 17, 2022 will be a peaceful rally,” Amb. Brown concluded.
Meanwhile, the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) of Liberia have assured the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of a peaceful rally planned to take place on December 17, 2022, at the outside perimeters of Liberia’s major Sports Stadium, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex located in Paynesville, outside the Country’s Capital Monrovia.
During a meeting with Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, on December 14, 2022, the CPP stated that their rally is consistent with Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution, which guarantees, “All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the Government or other functionaries for a redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate in political parties, trade unions, and other organizations…”
The CPP assured the ECOWAS Representation office of its commitment to sustaining peace and deepening democracy through the vibrant expression of rights responsibly. They promised to work with the Liberia National Police to ensure adherence to all traffic and movement regulations while staging their rally.
ECOWAS notes the demonstration of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the freedom of expression of all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution and commends all parties for their roles in deepening democracy in Liberia. In this vein, December 17, 2022, serves as another opportunity for Liberia to showcase its maturing democracy.
While anticipating the joint peaceful efforts of the Government, Liberia National Police, and the CPP, Ambassador Nkrumah calls on the Liberia National Police to ensure the efficient handling of traffic congestion and minimize its inconvenience to road users by considering alternative routes.
Finally, ECOWAS reassures all Liberians of its commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law as inscribed in the ECOWAS supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.
