Monrovia – The Student Unification Party at Liberia’s premiere institution of learning, the University of Liberia has given its blessing to the upcoming protest against the George Weah-led government.
Monrovia – The Student Unification Party at Liberia’s premiere institution of learning, the University of Liberia has given its blessing to the upcoming protest against the George Weah-led government.
In a statement Thursday, SUP, regarded as the largest student-based student political and ideological movement in Liberia, lamented that Liberia is witnessing a rapid decline under the Coalition for Democratic Change-led government headed by Weah.
Student Unification Party(SUP)
“The Vanguard Party will vehemently oppose any devilish plan or design to financially overburden economically-challenged students and underpaid lecturers. The students and lecturers MUST not and will not shoulder the responsibility of the ill-advised and ill-fated promise of “tuition-free education” made by President Weah in October 2018. SUP will resist any reversal of such promise. President Weah MUST pay for what he promised or risks bearing the consequences thereof.”
Said SUP: “Our nation is fast falling into the abyss of gloom and doom. Nothing convinces us that we are making progress. The CDC-led government is more of a Coalition of Desperate Crooks who have no real vision – no concrete agenda – and no genuine strategy to liberate Liberia and Liberians from socio-economic and political nightmare.
SUP, in March this year, launched “The Weah Step-Down Campaign” providing 60 genuine reasons for reaching this nationalistic decision.
This campaign, SUP said Thursday, remains unchanged and on course. “In fact, June 7 Protest is just a prelude or continuation of this progressive and popular call for President Weah to STEP ASIDE because he has proven unfit to lead in all dimensions.”
The students organization said the attributes of the former World, European and Africa’s best footballer, l are too far from a patriotic leader. “His appetite for illicit wealth, fame and power has transcended above the ultimate interest of the common people – The Masses. Harsh prevailing realities have shown that our Republic has fallen in the hands of hardcore looters, mere opportunists, incompetent bigots, and economic mafias.”
The students have vowed to mobilize more than 50,000 students and youth for June 7 Protest. “We will PROTEST to demand REAL CHANGE. Enough is enough – The people will be compelled to redefine their course on June 7 and move into history. No amount of threats or intimidation intended to dilute or thwart our collective resolve to stand in defense of the sovereignty and survival of our dying Republic can prevent us. June 7 is non-negotiable and SUP shall be at the full front of this popular people’s revolution. With national urgency, we must and we will SAVE THE STATE on June 7.”
Separately, SUP said Thursday that it has reliably learned about a premature plan being hatched by unversity administration to unjustifiably impose additional fees on students and cut the salaries/allowances of lecturers and professors as a result of President Weah’s flagrant inability to fulfill his politically-driven “tuition-free education” promise which is seriously impeding the smooth operations of the State-run University.
The statement averred: “The Vanguard Party will vehemently oppose any devilish plan or design to financially overburden economically-challenged students and underpaid lecturers. The students and lecturers MUST not and will not shoulder the responsibility of the ill-advised and ill-fated promise of “tuition-free education” made by President Weah in October 2018. SUP will resist any reversal of such promise. President Weah MUST pay for what he promised or risks bearing the consequences thereof.”
The organization said it will stand against any form of increment from L$1,605 to L$5,000 flat rate. “Let the administration be warned not to trek this slippery slope because such futile attempt could backfire and create a fertile ground for mass provocation and protest even before June 7. With outright discontent and disillusionment, SUP calls on Mr. Weah to make good his promise without any further delay.”
The students group slammed the Weah administration for failing to remit/transfer 50 percent of the annual budget (US$16.2m) of the University of Liberia even though this Fiscal Year 2018/2019 is nearing completion by June 30, 2019. “As a result of this glaring lack of interest in education demonstrated by this government, UL is seriously challenged on several fronts,” the group said.
The students movement lamented: “There has been continuous delay in the payment of salaries/allowances – no money to buy fuel and hire private buses to commute students and lecturers – bathrooms are closed – no stationery – no electricity – classrooms remain hostile for learning – no internet connectivity – no functional clinic – no safe-drinking water, etc. It has become an unchallenged reality that the learning condition or environment at the State-run University is fast declining since the ascendancy of President Weah.”
SUP is meanwhile calling on President Weah to prioritize education and abandon his wealth-seeking spree. Such egocentric endeavor is mindboggling and unpatriotic. “The government MUST find money to fund the University because such statutory onus is upon it to do so according to the 1952 Charter that created the State-run institution. Anything less than this, the Weah-led government will fully account for the future of over 19,000 Liberian students. SUP demands quality education and cautions Mr. Weah to refrain from politicizing education.”
Additionally, SUP said it is concerned about thousands of students who are yet to complete their registration process because the new registration system (Mwetana) has some limitations and faults. “The students cannot be blamed for this mishap. We call on the administration to fast-track the registration of all students and immediately refund the money paid by over 2,500 students before President Weah could pronounce his “tuition-free education” policy. When will UL refund those students as promised since last semester? SUP is also calling on UL administration to immediately issue Student ID CARDS this semester.”