Peace Dialogue Freezes With Arrival Of Deputy Speaker, Thomas Fallah
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
FOYA, Liberia – The highly anticipated peace dialogue on the nomination of President Joseph Boakai’s three nominees for Foya district came to a halt Thursday evening, after a confusion between supporters of the ruling Unity Party (UP) and the main opposition CDC party in the northwestern LoFa County.
It all started after Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah of the CDC arrived in the area Thursday evening, July 25, 2024 when the peace dialogue was disrupted at Foya City Hall.
Foya and Lofa County became a flashpoint of heightened tensions and violence during the 2023 presidential and legislative elections, where at least two persons were killed and several others injured in violent clashes between UP and supporters of former President George Weah’s CDC. AFL Soldiers Dispatched To Foya, As 2 Persons Confirmed Dead In UP-CDC Clashes – News Public Trust
After the violence, the Liberia National Police arrested, charged and sent to court a number of suspected perpetrators of the violence, but the trial is yet to proceed.
The 177th Independence eve dialogue, led by Minister Francis Nyumalin, Senator Joseph Jallah, Senator Mono Cyrus, the County president, and other local officials, was intended to address the delay in confirming the President’s nominees and the election violence among other issues in the district.
Sen Thomas Fallah and Minister Francis Nyumalin
Upon his arrival in Foya, Minister Nyumalin who was one of the executives of the UP in the area at the time of the 2023 violence, was greeted warmly by the community, including chiefs and elders.
They showed their respect for the now Internal Affairs Minister through a special prayers and gowning ceremony that took place at the Foya Free Pentecost Church.
Citizens, including motorcyclists, women, men, and children, paraded with the Internal Affairs Minister through the streets of Foya, expressing their support and excitement for the government and his Peace Mission in the district which was also met with enthusiasm and gratitude from the community.
Many described the Minister Nyumalin’s visit as a symbol of unity and hope for a brighter future in the region and Liberia as a Country.
Some of the people who participated in the peace dialogue before it was disrupted
However, the delay in confirming the President’s three nominees has led to growing tension in Foya Lofa County.
This prompted the President to appoint a committee in the county to investigate the matter and report back to him on the matter.
The committee sought the opinions of leaders from various groups, including youth, women, and chiefs or elders representing the three statutory districts in Foya, to address the nomination crisis.
Opposition supporters openly vented out disagreement
The session was later disrupted by opposition members who disagreed with the confirmation of the three officials believed to be supporters of Representative Thomas Fallah.
Supporters of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah had planned to disrupt the meeting on a radio station owned by the Deputy Speaker in Foya on the eve of the event according to our reporter who was on the ground.
The disruption escalated when Deputy Speaker Fallah himself arrived at the hall greeted the high table and walked out, causing frustration and disappointment among citizens of the area.
Senator Momo Cyrus later arrived in Foya and held separate meetings with Internal Affairs Minister Nyumalin Sr. and Deputy Speaker Fallah, but the outcome of these meetings remains unknown.
Reason for the peace dialogue
The peace mission and dialogue in Foya was said to have been initiated as a response to election-related violence that occurred in the district just days before the 2023 October elections.
The violence, which resulted in the deaths of three people, involved supporters of Representative Thomas Fallah of the CDC and Francis Nyumalin of the Unity Party, who were both candidates at the time.
Disruption condemned by local and international groups
The incident was strongly condemned by local and international organizations, prompting calls for a comprehensive and impartial investigation.
International development partners and locals emphasized the importance of holding all individuals involved accountable for their actions.
Meanwhile, as part of Liberia’s 177th Independence Day celebration, Internal Affairs Minister, Francis Nyumalin donated two hundred and fifty thousand Liberian dollars, fifty bags of 25kg rice, and five cows as his way of supporting the Independence Day celebration.
Speaking late Wednesday in a Meeting with a cross-section of citizens in Foya, Minister Nyumalin noted that the items will help the district form part of the July 26 celebration.
Minister Nyumalin at the same time called for reconciliation, peace, and Unity as they went went the celebration.
In response, the citizens thanked the Minister for his gesture and promised to use them wisely and in the best interest of all citizens.
They however described him as a true leader due to his humanitarian initiatives to his people regularly.
Liberia Independence Day is commemorated on July 26 every year across Liberia and other parts of the World where there are Liberians.
Liberia was founded in 1822 and became the first African republic to declare independence after adopting its constitution in 1847.
Liberia has had a turbulent history since then, which has hampered its progress as a nation with consistent growth in the country’s political and economic structures, on the other hand, has sparked hope for the future.