–As Justice Minister Instructs EPS To Disengage
IPNEWS: The Government of Liberia takes due cognizance of concerns coming from local and international quarters of the donning of the Coalition for Democratic Change paraphernalia by some members of the Executive Protection Service during the party’s “One Million Men Rally” for the nomination of President George M. Weah for a second term bid.
The Government says these concerns are legitimate and terms the EPS Officers’ behavior as embarrassing which it attributes to over-exuberance and lack of knowledge of the standard operating procedures of the service.
The Chairman of the Joint-Security of Liberia, Justice Minister Counselor Frank Musah Dean Jr. has mandated the head of the EPS Director Trokon Nathaniel Roberts to ensure that henceforth such unprofessional display by any member of the EPS does not recur.
In a mandate to the National Security Forces of Liberia, Justice Minister Dean reminded all military, paramilitary, and other related security institutions of their oath to defend and protect all citizens and residents of the country in a manner that demonstrates neutrality, professionalism, and decency.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia wants to reiterate its expressed commitment to the conduct of free, fair, transparent, democratic elections in an environment that is secure and open to all stakeholders and participants regardless of political affiliation.
The government says it will not allow Saturday’s regrettable action on the part of some members of the EPS to put a dent in the enviable record of the Weah-led Administration of successfully conducting several elections in the country.
It may be recalled, the Standard Bearer of the Rainbow Alliance, Reginald B. Goodridge, Sr., yesterday described as extremely worrisome the display of para-military force throughout the city of Monrovia during the political rally held by the Coalition for Democratic Change, CDC, on February 4, 2023.
Mr. Goodridge noted that the military tactics used by the CDC is an attempt to intimidate the opposition community and put fear in ordinary citizens in advance of the 2023 elections. He warned the Liberian people not to take this matter lightly.
According to the Rainbow Alliance standard-bearer, from the early dawn on the day of the CDC rally, countless numbers of armed militia wearing party T-shirts and red berets were seen in strategic parts of the city under the pretense of carrying out clean-up campaigns, while others were spotted mingling with the crowds. “It was difficult to determine whether the para-military personnel were members of the EPS or selected armed militia.”
The military intimidation tactics coupled with the illegal political campaign being conducted by the CDC should claim the attention of the National Elections Commission, but importantly, the Embassy of the United States of America, the European Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations Peace Building Mission in Liberia, the Rainbow Alliance emphasized through its leader.
Mr. Goodridge noted, “These early warning signals for possible violence in the 2023 elections should not be ignored by the international community. A strong warning must be sent to the leadership of the CDC, including the imposition of additional sanctions to ensure that the investment made by the international community in peace and security in Liberia over the past two decades is not wasted.”
