PHOTO: CPP leaders
The Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) says it is deeply concerned about incidents of violent street protests in Maryland County, which have resulted to a wave of violent acts this week.
In the violent protest this week, there was vandalism and arson attacks to the effect that private and public buildings, including the Harper Central Prison, and a local police station have been set ablaze by angry mob over reported ritualistic killings in the county.
In a press statement on Thursday, the conglomeration of political parties has consequently categorically condemned these acts of lawlessness by the protesters, and called on the Weah-led government to make immediate interventions to remedy the situation.
The CPP’s position is contained in a statement released Thursday April 1, 2021 in Monrovia.
“Given the fragility of the country’s peace, the CPP encourages Liberians, to, at all time, desist from engaging in acts of violence that are reminiscence of those things that plunged the country into fourteen years of senseless bloodbath and chaos. As a nation, we are yet to fully recover from the deadly consequences of the civil war. It is therefore, unacceptable for citizens to knowingly resort to acts of destruction under the guise of expressing their frustration,” the CPP said in the statement.
CPP said it is at the same time reminding the government of its responsibility to protect the lives of citizens and others residing within its borders and is absolutely disheartened that citizens of Liberia, particularly those resident in Maryland, can repeatedly fall prey to ritualistic killing while their government sits playfully and does absolutely nothing to bring the scared murders responsible for these crimes to justice.
It is therefore requesting the government of Liberia to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators of these crimes as a means of allying the fear of citizens of the County.
The CPP used the statement to encourage all Liberians to continue to seek the path of peace by pursuing legal remedies available under the laws of Liberia in seeking redress for injuries and disagreements.
Meanwhile, President Weah has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew throughout Maryland County beginning Thursday evening April 1, 2021.
Announcing the measure Wednesday, the President said: “I would like to assure the people of Maryland County that this killing has claimed the urgent attention of the Government, and will be thoroughly, promptly and fully investigated. The perpetrators will face the full weight of the law”.
He also used the occasion to appeal for calm, and avoid taking the law into their own hands in order for the criminal justice system to take its course.
President Weah admonished Marylanders to channel all grievances through the legal process, “as Government will not condone lawlessness and violence at any time and from anyone”.