Monrovia – Concerns have begun mounting over whether the ensuing 2017 presidential and legislative elections will be void of conflict.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
The latest to register this concern is Captain Jerry Kollie, spokesman of the disbanded Armed Forces of Liberia.
Cpt. Kollie said the nation’s current security apparatus is not capable to provide a peaceful environment for the 2017 elections.
“We are still looking at the political landscape of the time. The process is worrisome because to unseat a ruling party, you need to put in place a structure of government by coming together.
Unity Party wants power at all cost, come 2017 and any attempt to unseat them, it could result to confusion because they are ready to use the Police against our people,” Captain Kollie alarmed.
He referenced the 2011 general and presidential elections when officers of the Liberia National Police used brutal force against the opposition partisans, a situation he attributed to the lack of professionalism by some Police officers.
He also raised concerns over the increase in armed robbery in some quarters of the country and the continual hike in prices of commodities on the market, describing it as an economic war that poses constraints for citizens and a threat to the peace the country.
“When we were controlling the joint security forces during the Taylor’s regime, there was not a single armed robbery case in this place. In fact, there was price control but it is not so now.”
The disbanded AFL official said UNMIL’s drawdown from Liberia was untimely, especially with unwholesome activities now on the increase in the country.
He said the current government has failed to control Liberia’s economy from the hands of foreigners, terming it as disheartening.
Captain Kollie challenged government to show a blue print of its day-to-day function noting, “Government has failed in all sectors. There is no blue print laid down by this government”.
Captain Kollie also termed the disbandment of the Armed Forces of Liberia by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as a serious problem to Liberia’s security reform, saying it has created a security crackdown.
Kollie said the formation of the new army under the leadership of President Sirleaf was illegal and must be condemned.
He further noted that attempts for the Unity Party to take power for the third term will serve as a breeding ground for continual strangulation and poverty in Liberia, a process he said will be highly resisted by members of the disbanded army.
Captain Kollie also criticized embattled House Speaker J. Alex Tyler’s ambition to contest the Liberian Presidency, pointing out that the speaker has failed to work in the interest of the commoners.
He complained that the Speaker has downplayed petition from the disbanded AFL personnel seeking to address their plight and as such, they are prepared to campaign against him.
Captain Kollie who is a representative aspirant in Bong County welcomed the ongoing dialogue on the Local Governance Act but emphasized the need for changes to take place within the act.
He said the reduction of cities is necessary and will provide avenue for development but frowned at the election of Superintendents which, he said, will facilitate rampant corruption in various counties.
Meanwhile, Captain Kollie is encouraging members of the disbanded Armed Forces of Liberia to exercise restraint ahead of the 2017 general and presidential elections in Liberia.