Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
Monrovia – Organizers of the June 7 Save the State Protest under the banner of Coalition of Patriots(COP) on Friday reiterated their pledge to go on with the protest while guaranteeing a peaceful and orderly gathering as they held discussions with Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the visiting Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Concern Over Number of Days
In discussions with members of COP including Senator Sando Johnson, Spokesperson Darius Dillon, Henry Costa, Mo Ali, Rufus Neufville and Rev. Sanjee Stepter, Dr. Chambas, according to multiple sources privy to the what was discussed, raised concerns about the number of days the protest is intended to last as the UN envoy told COP that the entire West African sub-region is concerned about the upcoming protest.
Regarding to the UN envoy’s concerns about the duration of the protest, organizers informed the envoy that the duration of the protest will depend on how the government responds to the demands of the protesters.
Dr. Chambas, according to one source told the protest organizers that the international community spent much to bring peace to Liberia and while the UN respects the rights of the citizens to exercise their constitutional rights, all parties should work to maintain the peace.
Members of COP raised a number of key issues to the UN envoy which included the violations of the laws of Liberia including the constitution by the Weah-led government and the failure to tackle the economic problems and in the face of high inflation government is reducing civil servants’ salaries.
COP also informed the UN envoy that the government’s explanation regarding the LD 16 billion and the US$25 million intended as a mop up exercise has not added up. “We told the envoy that with all of the reports pointing out that millions intended for mopping up excess Liberian dollars were missing; the government says nothing is wrong. The refusal to take further actions on the LD 16 billion and the unconstitutional impeachment of Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh has further weaken the justice system and brings to question the integrity and credibility of that branch of government,” the source told FrontPageAfrica Friday.
Govt. Intolerant to Critics
COP, according to the source informed the UN envoy about the government’s lack of tolerance to critics. “Whenever we critique government the president refers to us as “enemies of the state” and the government is insensitive to the plight of the people,” the source explained.
COP also raised issues regarding chatters of violence from the government circle regarding June 7. “The noise is not from our end but supporters of the government making threats on social media.”
Regarding to the UN envoy’s concerns about the duration of the protest, organizers informed the envoy that the duration of the protest will depend on how the government responds to the demands of the protesters.
COP also took issue with the Weah-led government’s jamming of radio stations and deliberate targeting of media institutions that are critical of government from getting contracts even from the private sector. “The government is going after critical voices from getting jobs from the private sector,” the UN envoy was told.
In response, Dr. Chambas was reportedly told by COP that the protest will be peaceful and is only intended to make President Weah and government understand the realities of those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder.
Prez Weah Obligated to Fair Treatment to All
Dr. Chambas who arrived just before midday Friday at the Spriggs Payne Airfield, earlier held talks with President George Manneh Weah, behind closed doors at the President’s Foreign Affairs Office, during which time, the President expressed his commitment to ensuring peace and security for all Liberians irrespective of their ethnicity, political and social backgrounds.
The Liberian Leader said it is his constitutional and moral obligation to ensure that all Liberians are treated equally in an enabling and peaceful environment.
President Weah said he is open to do whatever it takes to better the lives of his people but averred that this entails remaining engaged with every stakeholder who has an idea for the development, peace and harmony of Liberia.
Dr. Chambas commended the Liberian Leader for his enviable leadership and urged him to continue to pursue dialogue for the good of the country. He promised to work with President Weah in the achievement of peace and development of Liberia.