Calls On Liberian Police To Be Vigilant And Impartial
Brewerville, Montserrado County –As Liberians worry about the state of peace and security in the country, the former President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Bishop Kortu K. Brown has called on Liberians to people to account who threaten the peace and stability of the country.
“Liberians have to stand up against this country returning to war and chaos. People who undermine the peace of the country must be held to account no matter their status,” Bishop Brown said.
He was speaking at a thanksgiving service at New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Brewerville during his return from participating in a partnership consultation in Asia.
“Liberia is being pushed towards mayhem and chaos by people who should know better. Because of their selfish and myopic reasoning. It is interesting that lawmakers will leave their offices and the people’s business to go to the University of Liberia campus just to cause chaos”, wondering “what’s the motive? Why are people bend on showing that they are most interested in chaos than peaceful coexistence?” the former LCC President asked.
State of Liberia’s Politics
Bishop Brown mourns the current state of Liberia’s politics which he thinks is becoming more and more self-centered, hateful and regrettable. “Even for political party leaders to choose running mate, is war. It’s becoming a basis for strong discontent and derailment in political parties’ actions”, he said, adding it is unfortunate and frustrating that Liberia is sinking this low with people calling each other, names just in the name of politics.
“All around the world, political leaders are given the optional of freely choosing who they can work with and not through all kinds deals and deceptions.”
Politics of Hatred
The Bishop of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church frowned on the level of hatred being perpetrated in Liberia in the names of politics and elections. “No, it’s not about politics or elections. It’s pure hatred. Liberians are becoming more and more hateful and are hiding behind politics and elections. If we are not careful, this country is going to blown into fire again,” Bishop Brown noted.
Many ordinary Liberians are worried about the state of relationship amongst, and behaviors of, political actors. The astute Pentecostal cleric wondered what politics has to do with insulting and cursing other people’s families and personalities. “It is just pure rudeness”, adding, “this country must stop the politics of hatred brewing in communities, districts, counties and at the national level if we must renew our politics and push our country forward.
Rule of Law
The former president of the Liberia Council of Churches opined that if the country must move forward, it must do the utmost to pursue the rule of law. “This is usually said to be a country of laws and not men. However, the country is becoming more and more it appears a country of men and not laws” adding, “people openly and fragrantly challenge and undermine the rule of law sometimes in the face of police presence and go scout free. This is wrong and must be checked if we must remain a responsible and peaceful country within the comity of nations.”
Voters’ Registration
“This is a critical moment in the history of our country. The first election after our 74 years transition in 2018. This election will help determine the future of Liberian democracy”, Bishop Brown remarked, adding that “all Liberians including our leaders must put the interest of the country above any personal or party considerations. Leaders come and go and political parties come and go but the nation remains. All Liberians have a stake in our democracy which are strengthened by elections and the rule of law. We therefore call on all Liberians to go out and register to vote without undermining the process.”
The Water in the Desert Pentecostal Church Bishop also frowned against being trucked from one district to another to register and vote in districts they don’t know and leaders they may not know. “What kind of democracy is that”, he wondered, adding “you don’t live or come from a district, you are trucked there to go and vote for people you don’t and/or consequences you will not bear tomorrow like it’s already happening in many districts in the country where many elected lawmakers don’t function properly because some of them were trucked during previous elections and voted people who have not served their communities well”.
Police and Stability
Many Liberians believed that the future of peace and security also rest on the Police and the way they will manage and/or attend to violence in the communities. Bishop Brown called on the Liberia National Police to be vigilant in their duties considering their responsibilities and not take side on any issues of insecurity in the country.
“The police must properly investigate all issues of national concerns and show no bias if we must sustain peace and security. Liberia is above any political alignment, association or affiliation; therefore, the police must stand up to their lawbreakers no matter what party or group they come from.”
“All around the world”, the clergyman said, “the police are reported built into communities and meant to serve four primary roles: enforce laws, prevent crimes, provide emergency response and provide support services”, adding the Liberian National Police cannot be any less.
He further reminded the police that Liberians are waiting for the results of the investigation into the death that occurred at the home of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and the recent violence that occurred at the University of Liberia when two lawmakers left their offices to go and incite students just for political reasons.