“On Liberia’s Prevailing Peace,” ALJA Condemns Attack On Opposition Politicians in Grand Gedeh
PHOTO: A recent scene in Zwedru, where AFL soldiers had to move in to protect opposition officials
Minneapolis, MN, USA- The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has warned that the recent violent attack on opposition politicians in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County “sets a dangerous precedent that could have far reaching consequences on Liberia’s prevailing peace and stability if, the hooliganism manifested by the ill-advised alleged CDC members is not promptly addressed by President George Manneh Weah and his government.”
In a press release on Monday, August 3, 2020, ALJA condemned in the strongest term the recent acts of violence perpetrated against the chairman of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) and Political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Cummings, and Montserrado County District # 10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah, by some residents of Grand Gedeh during a recent visit to the County.
Chairman Cummings, Representative Kolubah and members of their entourage were attacked on Thursday, July 30th in the county’s capital, Zwedru, by some Liberians claiming to be supporters of the ruling Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC). The CPP Chairman and members of his delegation were visiting the southeastern region of Liberia to meet with their supporters and celebrate the country’s 173rd independence anniversary.
ALJA expressed concern that since the ascendency of the Weah administration to power more than three years ago, there appears to be a growing level of intolerance in the country and politics has become so toxic that local officials and a handful of citizens in Grand Gedeh felt emboldened to deny their compatriots their constitutional right to travel. ALJA says all Liberians should draw upon the experiences of the country’s tragic history and learn to coexist irrespective of political and tribal affiliations.
ALJA frowned on President Weah and senior officials of the Liberian government past indifference when acts that undermine the rule of law and Liberia’s peace and stability unfolded in the country.
Meanwhile, ALJA says it welcomes the President’s recent denunciation of the July 30th attack against Chairman Cummings and Representative Kolubah, and members of their entourage in Grand Gedeh County.
The Association said Mr. Weah’s description of the Zwedru’s attack as unwarranted, undemocratic and unacceptable is heartwarming. ALJA says it supports and welcomes the President’s vow to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Zwedru street violence.
The Americas based media advocacy organization then called President Weah to match his words with concrete action in addressing the Zwedru incident by taking punitive action against the superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, Kai Farley if found guilty of masterminding the attack.
The Association is also, proposing that the President takes similar administrative actions against the Deputy Minister of Information for Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Eugene Fahngon, and other public officials, who have brazenly shown support for Superintendent Kai Farley and the attack on the opposition.
ALJA says it is preposterous for the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberian government to be calling for a probe into the July 30th crisis in Grand Gedeh while at the same time turning a blind eye to the incendiary and insensitive social media post propagated by Deputy Minister Fahngon and other officials of the government
On July 30, 2020, Deputy Minister Fahngon being unmindful of the critical position he occupies in government, posted via Facebook a derogatory statement that made mockery of the Zwedru situation and Representative Kolubah.
ALJA says the Deputy Minister’s Facebook post and those of some supporters of the Weah Administration insinuate that the attack on the opposition leaders and members of their entourage was done with the acquiescence of the Liberian government.
Meanwhile, ALJA said it strongly criticizes Representative Kolubah for his inflammatory rhetoric in Zwedru and other instances where his conduct has been counterproductive. The Association described the lawmaker’s barrage of invectives regularly directed at the President as irresponsible and said they do nothing to further the country’s political discourse. ALJA called for civility from politicians and government officials alike in their utterances and urged them to help solidify the peace and stability in the country.
At the same time, the Association is commending the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus and other prominent citizens of the country for swiftly condemning the actions of their compatriots.
ALJA says it is important for Liberians of good will to be unequivocal in their condemnations so that the perpetrators understand that no Liberian should be denied the constitutional right to freely travel in the confines of their own country because of their political affiliations or differences.