The National Youth League of the Ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) accuses members of the opposition, particularly the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) of allegedly being the masterminds of recent attacks in the National Elections Commission (NEC) compound and the home of Associate Justices Joseph Nagbe. But the CDC Youth League provides no evidence to back its claim against the opposition.
“The CDC believes that such an act of terrorism is being masterminded by auxiliary within the CPP,” Mr. Hassan Newland, CDC Youth League Deputy Secretary General for Administration alleged during a press conference Friday, 19 March at his party headquarters in Congo Town.
He alleges further without giving evidence that some elected lawmakers within the CPP are financier and advisors to those carrying out the alleged acts.
There have been recent suspected arson attacks at the NEC Headquarters in Sinkor and at the home of Justice Nagbe, but there is yet no official report linking a particular group or individual.
It is not clear what the motives of these attackers are, but these actions have occurred at a time the NEC and the Courts are dealing with multiple cases involving both the ruling and the opposition political parties regarding disputed election results from different counties.
In some of the cases for instance, a candidate supported by the ruling CDC has endlessly challenged the election results, leading to multiple recounts.
However, Newland categorically condemns the barbaric act on the country’s democracy and calls on the government to take legal and constitutional actions to put an end to the “creeping level of domestic terrorism and subversive attempt to undermine the peace of the country.”
“As a body of national consciousness, the Youth League likes to state clearly that this recent opposition sponsored violent crackdown on public officials and state institutions are erupting at a time when elements in the opposition community are issuing threats …,” Newland says.
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He accuses the opposition of being allegedly being desperate to acquire power by undemocratic means, warning that such must not be taken for granted by the Government of Liberia and its international partners.
Meanwhile, Newland rejects a statement attributed to CPP Chairperson Senator Nyonblee Karngar – Lawrence, in which she is said to have claimed corruption in government and incompetence at the NEC, among others.
“The Collaborating Political Parties must embrace the shame and embarrassment of poorly handling the affairs of the country over the last twelve years of trust and confidence that was reposed in their failed leadership,” Newland says.
He suggests that instead of questioning the quality of leadership being dispensed by the CDC government, the Collaborating Political Parties must locate in its pitiful existence a moment of intense soul searching and political repentance.
According to him, the Government of Liberia has remained peaceful since its inception, and he believes that it has in place a leadership structure that is committed to protecting the rights of all of its citizens.
The CDC Youth League extends profound appreciation to President George Manneh Weah for embarking on a National County Tour at this critical stage in the nation’s history which has brought to light his fundamental sense of grassroots governance and heightened the pace for socio-economic development for the motherland.
By Lewis S. Teh–Edited by Winston W. Parley
