Liberia’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Mr. Nathaniel McGill has issued a stem warning to opposition leaders here against the planned June 7, demonstration saying anything outside of the law could be counterproductive-meaning demonstrators could face the full weight of the law.
“Since we came to the helm of authority of the state, I think there have been seven protests so far as though, the opposition leaders have no option or developmental agenda for the country then to take the streets. We will not compromise the peace and stability of the state. If anything goes wrong here those that are behind protest will be brought before the laws to answer questions, that’s not compromising. The interest of the country comes first.
“Some opposition leaders who took the immediate past government to court on grounds that elections’ result should be overturned and there should be rerun of the entire electoral process still acting like the country is still in political campaign mood. They must accept today’s realities. We’re not worry about their demonstration but nothing contrary should happen or else, they will bear full weight of the law,” he said.
Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia, on Sunday morning at residence along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Montserrado County, Minister McGill said, while the government believes in freedom of association and expression, it at the same time not compromise the peace and stability of its citizens at the expense of few opposition leaders who are reportedly the key factors behind the impending protest under the banner ‘peaceful protest seeking the resignation of President George Manneh Weah’.
The former national chairman of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change accuses Cllr. Charles Walker of the Liberty Party, Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress and businessman turned politician Benoni Urey as the planners and sponsors of the would-be demonstration scheduled for June 07.
There have been repeated calls both online and social media for a massive gathering of Liberians from all walks of life to join a peaceful demonstration requesting the resignation of President Weah. Planners have listed missive corruptions among dozens of allegations as the reason for their call.
However, according to Mr. McGill, the government will allow people to protest peacefully in any part of the country but not without the knowledge of the Ministry of Justice, to indicate the routs to be used on the day of the planned protest, to ensure crowd control and police escort for the free flow of traffic.
McGill expressed shock about the wave of protests since the ascendency of Mr. George Manneh Weah to the Liberian presidency, as though demonstration or protest is the only method that the opposition community can proffer to the government.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
He intimated while opposition leaders are using the airwave and some innocent Liberians to plan demonstration against the administration, some of the leaders are in bed with the government.
The chief of office staff in the president’s office pointed out that the opposition leaders have nothing to offer the country only protests and nobody will be denied the opportunity to express themselves freely, but if the peaceful protest become chaotic, the laws will take its course and that will start with their leaders.
He, however, was quick to inform Liberians that the Weah’s administration is working tirelessly to ensure that the needed goods and social services are delivered to the people.
The former Assistant Minister during the Unity Party led government disclosed that Weah’s administration is in close discussion with World bank were US$150 million has been committed to the construction of the coastal corridors. He also, flagged that international community has finally accepted the road connectivity plans as best and possible of bringing development to the people. By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
