-Whilst PUL members in Maryland for World Press Freedom Day
By our Staff Writer
Liberian Journalist Jonathan Paye-layleh returned home from the US recently, but there are indications that his fears about his personal safety has not abated.
In a letter to the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) dated May 1, 2018, the BBC and Associated Press (AP) Monrovia Correspondent said he would have loved being in Maryland to attend the World Press Freedom Day this Thursday (May 3, 2018):
“But sadly due to the current state of security uncertainty in which I find myself owing to the long story all of you are aware of, I have been advised to remain in safety in Monrovia until the official treats against my life have been reduced and I feel safe to venture outside a bit.”
The PUL says Maryland County will host the 2018 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) Liberian celebration as part of ongoing efforts to copiously strength the country’s democratic qualities to the World.
The Harper Events are expected to attract the media, civil society activists, the academia, and government representatives. The WPFD events are scheduled to cover field trips to Grand Kru, Maryland, and River Gee.
The respected Liberian Journalist began to raise issues about his personal security ever since President George Manneh Weah publically said (March 22, 2018) that he (Paye-layleh) has been against him since he began advocate for human rights and peace during the Liberian civil war.
His few weeks of pre-planned visit to the US for health reasons coincided with the saga, amidst further statements from both President Weah and some of his officials and supporters linking Journalist Paye-layleh to the defunct NPFL rebel group.
But the Liberian leader subsequently said Paye-layleh has nothing to fear in Liberia and said his security was guaranteed upon his return home.
The insecurity perception has however not changed for the Liberian Journalist his March 22nd question to President Weah about implementing the TRC report and his recent return home from the US.
“It will further sadden you to know that what started as a mere inquiry into an unexplained official outburst against me on March 22, 2018 at the presidency has now degenerated into an uglier situation where some former heads of defunct warring factions now see me as their enemy — that I am one person seeking a war crimes court for them. I am grappling with a serious situation, to say the least,” says Journalist Paye-layleh in his May 1, 2018 letter to the PUL.
Below is full text of the BBC/AP Correspondent’s letter to the PUL:
PLEASE PUBLISH AND BROADCAST
May 1, 2018
Dear President Charles Coffey, officials and members of the media community
As you gather in the historic and traditionally-hospitable county of Maryland for the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, I send you the warmest of greetings and express profound regrets that I will be missing out in the events.
As a member of the PUL since 1987, I would have loved being in that part of Liberia, not only to participate in the ceremonies commemorating the day but to also have an opportunity —- after more than two decades —- to interact with the great and brave people of that county. I would have loved sharing some cola nuts with pepper as I did many times when I visited.
In principle, I had even agreed to head or form part of one of the outreach teams to visit some remote places in or near the county to get to appreciate how people are coping with life and what they make of the new political arrangement.
Like I did in Lofa during our celebration there, I would have loved covering those distances to meet our people at different ends of the county and country.
But sadly due to the current state of security uncertainty in which I find myself owing to the long story all of you are aware of, I have been advised to remain in safety in Monrovia until the official treats against my life have been reduced and I feel safe to venture outside a bit.
This colleague of yours, ladies and gentlemen of the Fourth Estate, has been going through difficult times in recent times — his only crime being helping to create the necessary awareness to end the civil war in Liberia to pave the way for one president to be elected after another. This is how I am being paid for braving the storm to help create the peaceful Liberia we have today.
It will further sadden you to know that what started as a mere inquiry into an unexplained official outburst against me on March 22, 2018 at the presidency has now degenerated into an uglier situation where some former heads of defunct warring factions now see me as their enemy — that I am one person seeking a war crimes court for them. I am grappling with a serious situation, to say the least.
In view of all these complexities and knowing how gullible our people are, I didn’t think it was advisable to take any chances traveling to a leeward county.
But even though I am not with you in Maryland in person, my heart is with you all and I appreciate the continuation of what was started years back by taking the celebrations to our rural people — being a typical rural boy myself.
Please celebrate in grand styles. On your return to Monrovia, I will meet and appreciate the leadership of the union in a special way for mustering the courage to travel the length to reach our people on that side of the country. Thanks to the wisdom and vision of those who made Maryland to form part of our republic in 1857.
Happy Press Freedom Day; and may God bless and guide us all and save the state.
Yours truly
Jonathan Paye-Layleh
Former Chairman
The Press Club, Press Union of Liberia