Monrovia – Rep. Yekeh Kolubah(Independent, District No. 10, Montserrado County) says his meeting at the Ministry of Justice Monday went better than expected but says the discussions were centered more on peace than charges and arrest.
Speaking to FrontPageAfrica shortly after Monday’s meeting, the District No. 10 lawmaker reiterated that he is not a violent man but is interested in maintain the peace and stability in the country.
The lawmaker was summoned by Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean last week to appear this morning to clarify a recent statement attributed to the lawmaker regarding the “removal of the President”.
“We will move and they will solve the problem; too much, enough is enough… when you need us tomorrow, we will be available to tell this president, this squatter, will soon be leaving in less than three months because he does not able this country anymore. If they want violence, we will give them violence,” the minister’s communication said.
Ministry of Justice Statement
“The Government of Liberia acknowledged the retraction and apology of a group of citizens posing and holding themselves up as “ex-generals” who issued a statement in Monrovia last week threatening to arrest Hon. Kolubah. The Government wishes to clarify that members of the group do not form part of the security apparatus of the country and are therefore, not state actors.”
According to a source privy to the discussions, Rep. Kolubah requested an additional seven days to respond to the MOJ’s communication.
Remarks Misrepresented
The MOJ in a statement following Mondays meeting said that during the inquiry, Rep. Kolubah disavowed any intent to incite citizens and undermine the peace of the country. He told authorities at the Ministry of Justice that his remarks were misrepresented.
Hon. Kolubah asked to be given a week to do a formal response to the content of the letter from the Minister of Justice, given the bereavement of the Legislature, occasioned by the death of Hon. Adolph Lawrence.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia acknowledged the retraction and apology of a group of citizens posing and holding themselves up as “ex-generals” who issued a statement in Monrovia last week threatening to arrest Hon. Kolubah. The Government wishes to clarify that members of the group do not form part of the security apparatus of the country and are therefore, not state actors. The Government warns that it will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against private citizens who usurp the functions of national security institutions or actors. All peace loving citizens are advised to heed to this warning.
Members of the public are encouraged and advised to go about their normal business and be assured that the Government is firmly in control of the peace and security of the nation.
According to a source privy to the discussions, Rep. Korlubah requested an additional seven days to respond to the MOJ’s communication.
In the communication prior to Monday’s meeting, the MOJ took issue with the lawmaker’s statement that President Wea would not be President within three months. We note that a squatter is a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land; a settler with no legal title to the land occupied. Your reference to the President as a squatter, in respect of the office he now occupies, clearly confirms your refusal to accept the results of the Presidential and Legislative Elections of October 2017, an election in which you participated and were elected Representative for District #10, Montserrado County.”
Ahead of the meeting Monday, the MOJ underscored that threats of violence and statements/comments insinuating change of government outside the constitutionally-recognized democratic process, constitute violations punishable under the Penal Code. “It is in this light that we are seeking clarification of your statements/comments, so as to swiftly resolve any misconception, which has the propensity to undermine and threaten the peace and stability of the country,” minister Dean said.
Meanwhile, FrontPageAfrica has been reliably informed that the lawmaker is due to meet with President George Manneh Weah in the next hour to follow-up on the discussions held with the MOJ early Monday.
The meeting between the pair is expected to be the first and comes on the heels of an organized June 7 protest aimed at pushing President Weah to clamp down on widespread corruption in his administration.
The development comes as Amb. Ajisomo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and other partners, have been pressing the government, as well as the opposition to promote dialogue aimed at easing brewing political tension. “We are telling government to open the political space, because we had a meeting with President George Weah on Monday, April 15, 2019, and we met with all the collaborating political parties on the means of peaceful dialogue. What Liberia needs now is dialogue. That is, all hands should be on deck,” Mr. Ajisomo told the Liberia News Agency.
Amb. Ajisomo is meanwhile urging citizens to protect the key elements that bind them, including the rule of law, democracy, and respect of other people’s opinions. He also urged citizens to engage in “constructive criticism” of the government with a view to preserve the country’s peace and stability, “even amid political and economic issues.”