IPNEWS: The much talked about ‘We Taya suffering ‘ rally by the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), is said to be gaining stain as there are reports of a massive trooping of partisans from both central Monrovia, Bushrod Island, Garnesville, and suburb of Paynesville city onto of the outside perimeters of Liberia’s major Sports Stadium, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex located in Paynesville, outside the Country’s Capital Monrovia.
IPNEWS reporters covering the rally, that opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) of Liberia, led by former Coco-cola executive Alexander B. Cummings are now set and rolling through the city center of Monrovia, before heading to the SKD Sports stadium.
Some trooping CPP partisans are chanting the slogan “Satan go, Satan go, we na want to see you na-ya”, a local pagan song in confirmative with the rally slogan “We Taya suffering”.
Prior to today’s beef-up for the rally reports emerged of the disappearance of 70,000.00 United States dollars by the driver of a constituent member of the CPP Martin Saye Kullah, even though the CPP has played down such a report terming the widespread as propaganda by pro-government agents.
Frontpage Africa, earlier Friday, December 16, reported that the CPP had confirmed the slashing of the 70,000.00 by the driver identified as Simon Davies.
Earlier on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, ahead of this planned December 17 “We Taya suffering” rally, there was a massive influx of disenchanted and former supporters of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC, under the banner ‘Disenchanted CDcians,’ endorsed today’s “We Taya suffering” rally denouncing the exceeding hardship currently facing the country.
Apart from the disenchanted and former CDC supporters, IPNEWS understands there is also an influx of former ex-combatants, vulnerable youths (Zogos), some indigenous Liberians, the cross-border Women Association of Liberia, and the National Muslims Association of Liberia on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 endorsed the December 17 rally.
Additionally, the United People’s Party (UPP), and the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), among others, have overwhelmingly endorsed the planned rally.
The opposition Collaborating Political Parties CPP/Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Mr. Alexander B. Cummings is leading the December 17 rally.
The opposition claims that under President George Manneh Weah’s rule, Liberians are suffering.
The planned rally is allegedly intended to call the government and international community’s attention to the plights of the citizens.
During a news conference in Monrovia Wednesday at the CPP political offices, CPP Secretary General Martin Saye Kullah said the opposition bloc has done much mobilization.
He claimed that Liberians themselves are tired of the suffering under the Weah-led government and have decided to turn out in mass numbers on Saturday, 17 December 2022 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
He said they will use the rally to express their concerns over the alleged maltreatment from President Weah and his stalwart.
Kullah said Liberians are angry over alleged top-level corruption, harsh suffering of the masses, alleged human rights violations, and others.
He claimed that if President Weah continues to the government after the 2023 elections, Liberia may go down the drain.
He frowned on President Weah and his cabinet for allegedly enriching themselves while trying to silence his critics.
The ‘Disenchanted CDcians Network’ through its Spokesperson, Alexander B. Momo, said it has been fooled by the President after suffering for so many years.
Momo claimed that the disenchanted CDCians are not reaping what they’ve yearned for over the years.
As the CPP are trooping unto the S.K.D. Sports complex, IPNEWS could see a heavy presence of Officers from the Liberia National Police PSU and riot Units posted in major street corners of the city center leading towards the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
At a joint CPP-LNP press conference held at the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters in Monrovia on Thursday, 15 December, organizers against alleged hardship in Liberia and police authorities agreed to work together and committed to peaceful conduct during the assembly due 17 December 2022.
The LNP and the rally organizers pledged during the press conference to provide a corridor of protection for the CPP and all Liberians.
The joint press conference was graced by top supporters of Cummings’ presidential bid Amb. Lewis G. Brown, Dr. Toga Mclntosh, CPP official Martin Kollah, and Police Inspector General Col. Patrick T. Sudue.
During the press conference, Col. Sudue urged the rally organizers to spread a message of peace during the pending opposition rally.
On the other hand, Col. Sudue assured the public that the police will exercise their duty in a professional and democratic manner.
The police chief explained that the LNP will ensure that the rally is peaceful enough to avoid chaos.
Sudue assured that the rights and aspirations of every citizen will be protected during the rally.
He said the police did so during previous protests, including thee ‘June 7,’ and ‘Save The State,’ and others.
Sudue noted that the LNP has had an orientation of democratic policing.
“We have had an orientation of democratic policing. Democratic policing is where you are constrained to provide care and protection for your citizens to ensure their rights and aspirations are protected,” IG Sudue explained.
The police chief continued that the police will use every peaceful method to ensure that the rally remains in a conducive manner.
He also said community policing will be the order of the day to ensure that officers are taken to the people with peace and respect for human dignity.
But he also called the organizers and supporters of the CPP Rally to remain cordial and abide by the rules of law.
He urged them not to cause commotion and embarrassment for other peaceful citizens during the day of the rally.
Additionally, Col. Sudue called on the media to be present at the rally and report the reality of the ethical and democratic discharge of the duty of the LNP.
Meanwhile, Col. Sudue stated that there will be a detour of the flow of traffic to allow free movement and enable commuters go about their normal business.
For his part, the chairman of the Friends of Cummings and the lead conveyer of the “We Taya [Tired] Suffering Rally” Amb. Lewis Brown lauded the police for their commitment to ensuring the rally is peaceful.
Amb. Brown applauded the Ministry of Justice for convening the strategic security meeting between the LNP and the CPP rally organizers.
He stated that the CPP has explicit confidence in the ability of the police to ensure that the rally is peaceful.
Amb. Brown reaffirmed the CPP’s commitment to a peaceful rally, saying the opposition petitions will be made known to the world.
