Threaten Another Protest If….
By Our Staff Writer
Another protest action is expected to be staged in weeks, if the Unity Party government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai fails to begin acting on their grievances spelled in a petition read by the July 17 protesters, organizers threatened at the close of the demonstrators on Thursday.
After failing to have their petition personally presented to President Boakai, the “Enough is enough” protesters read their petition demanding the dismissal of Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman and prosecution of other top officials for alleged corruption and other acts.
“We are hereby giving President Boakai 14 days to publicly acknowledge and begin acting on the WE THE PEOPLE petition,” said Mulbah K. Morlu, the lead organizer of the protest and head of the civil society group, STAND
But so far, the Boakai government has not officially reacted to the protesters’ petition and ultimatum.
In their petition, the protesters also called for the immediate prosecution of senior government officials accused of corruption, including Mamaka Bility, who serves as Minister of State without Portfolio and is linked to irregular involvement in the controversial Putu Iron Ore concession and procurement irregularities.
Others demands included Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, accused of financial mismanagement and unauthorized spending, Mo Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, who protesters say inflated project costs, and Roland Giddings, the Public Works Minister, blamed for awarding major road contracts with little or no execution.
Protesters further demanded independent audits of all major government agencies and concession agreements signed within the past two years. They called for the dismissal and prosecution of Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, accusing him of presiding over a regime of brutality, unlawful detentions, and suppression of peaceful citizens.
In their petition, the protesters cited the removal of former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and demanded that President Boakai sets up an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his ousting, citing judicial interference and executive overreach.
According to the protesters that situation represents an erosion of legislative independence and judicial neutrality, both of which are essential pillars of democracy.