By Our Staff Writer
Some level of normal business is returning to the Liberian capital, Monrovia on Monday, December 30, 2019, after the timely intervention of the international diplomatic community in Monrovia, that both those agitating for protest and counter protest to postpone their planned street activities.
“In light of these recent communications, we strongly encourage the Council of Patriots to shift their demonstration to this Sunday January 5, and various counter-protesters to shift their demonstrations to Sunday, January 12, at the large venues offered by the government, in order to ensure that the rights of all Liberia’s citizens are equally respected. We, your partners, strongly endorse this plan and look forward to those successful and peaceful gatherings, supported and protected by your government,: said a joint statement by the Ambassadors from the US, ECOWAS, the EU and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia.
Costa’s COP had on Sunday, December 29, 2019 told a news conference that they will go ahead with with their Dec 30 protest for an unlimited period until the government of President George Weah addresses their demands made during their last protest on June 7 this year. The demand included solving the current economic crisis, dismissing Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, among others.
The planned anti government protest by the Council of Patriots (COP) headed by vocal Talk Show host Henry Costa was called off on Monday, with a threatened counter-protest by the Independent Council of Patriots (INCOP) also not taking place.
“JOINT STATEMENT OF THE AMBASSADORS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN UNION, ECOWAS, AND THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN LIBERIA
WITH REGARD TO PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS IN MONROVIA ON 30 DECEMBER
“As representatives of the United Nations, ECOWAS, the European Union, and the United States, we are among the many international partners who have invested heavily in Liberia’s peace and development. We have watched with pride as the Liberian people have passed important democratic milestones of hosting peaceful elections, debates, dialogues, and demonstrations. These are all important elements that strengthen the country’s core institutions.
We note the Government of Liberia’s statements on December 28 and 29 regarding the exercise and protection of key constitutional rights of freedom of expression, assembly and petition for the redress of grievances. We also note the Council of Patriots’ press conference December 29 that assured all Liberians of their commitment to peaceful assembly and conformity with Liberian law and the sharing of details for their assembly. In light of these recent communications, we strongly encourage the Council of Patriots to shift their demonstration to this Sunday January 5, and various counter-protestors to shift their demonstrations to Sunday, January 12, at the large venues offered by the government, in order to ensure that the rights of all Liberia’s citizens are equally respected. We, your partners, strongly endorse this plan and look forward to those successful and peaceful gatherings, supported and protected by your government.
We and many other international partners of Liberia will continue to stand by Liberia, her citizens, and her government as they work together to strengthen core institutions, protect essential human rights, and endeavour to create opportunities for all Liberians to provide a better life for their families and communities.”
However, COP leader Henry Costa told Journalists Monday morning that their protest “has not been called off” but that they were only heeding to an advice by foreign diplomats late Sunday that it be postponed to a later date.
He said the diplomats told the COP that the Liberian government had said they didn’t have the logistics to provide security protection on December 30 but will be prepared to do so on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.
Mr. Costa said the COP rejects the 5th of January date and demands to hold their protest on Monday, January 6, 2019.
Meanwhile, the COP has claimed that the foreign diplomats’ intervention in Liberia’s domestic affairs appear to be overreaching. Mr. Costa told the press that they should also be overreaching in ensuring that President George Weah ends his bad governance practices.
Amidst the tense atmosphere hovering over the Liberian capital as the day began, a large number of residents and business owners appeared to have heeded the government’s assurance to be calm and go about their normal activities. As this writer drove from his residence in the eastern suburb of Monrovia, he saw vehicles plying the streets and stores and other business houses opened on the Bushrod Island and central Monrovia.
Although security was beefed up at major street corners, riot police seen at major intersections were seen carrying rattans/canes.
Earlier, there was a brief standoff between riot police and supporters of COP who had converged on the offices of Costa’s Roots FM that was shut down few months ago through a court search and seizure warrant. The case is currently in court, as Costa and his station has been accused of inciting the public and other charges .