MONROVIA – The leadership of the Council of Patriots, organizers of December 30 protest against ‘bad governance’ and economic hardship under the Weah-led administration, say they would call off the protest if President George Weah can make a statement addressing the concerns in their June 7 petition.
They insist that in the absence of President Weah’s willingness to address their concerns flagged in the June 7 petition, they would go ahead with the Monday’s protest, though the Ministry of Justice has publicly said there would be no permit to protest until January 30, 2020.
Liberians believe the protest might turn chaotic in the absence of a permit from the government.
Mr. Henry Costa, chairman of the Council of Patriots, said at Sunday’s press conference that as far as they are concerned, the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, assured them in the presence of ECOWAS and the UN that he would provide security for their peaceful assembly.
Costa who has been unbending on his call for President Weah to step down on December 30 said it is not the official position of the Council of Patriots to call on the President to step down. He said, notwithstanding, individual members of the COP have the right to call on the President to step down.
“The Ministry of Justice in the presence of the international community has given a commitment that they will provide security for us,” he said.
“Protest or peaceful assembly do not bring war. Peaceful assembly guaranteed under the Constitution does not threaten the peace. It is the manner of intervention of the part of the government which has been historical that has caused peaceful assembly to turn chaotic.”
– Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, Member of the Council of Patriots
He said the Ministry of Justice has not communicated to them that should be no protest until January 30, 2020.
Costa: “We have never contradicted ourselves, our official communication states our official position – it’s stated very clearly, unambiguously in our communication to the Justice Ministry. A peaceful assembly. When we assemble, we express our grievances, we demand answers, we demand action.”
Costa noted that the Joint Communique by ECOWAS and the UN recognized their general desire to call off the protest if specific actions can be taken on some of the governance and economic issues forming the basis of the tension in the country.
Costa, however, said the protest which, according to him, is intended to be like a street carnival, would be peaceful and a patriotic gathering.
For Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, he said the COP is comprises matured individuals and has no intent to disturb the peace of the country.
“Protest or peaceful assembly do not bring war. Peaceful assembly guaranteed under the Constitution does not threaten the peace. It is the manner of intervention of the part of the government which has been historical that has caused peaceful assembly to turn chaotic,” Dillon said.