ON FRIDAY, Monrovia went quiet at 7:30 am as Liberians tuned in to listen to the announced special message from President George Manneh Weah.
IN HIS ADDRESS to the nation, Pres. Weah condemned all forms of violence and declared zero tolerance on electoral violence. He threatened actions against leaders of political parties that would be caught instigating violence.
PRESIDENT WEAH said elections are the fundamental underpinning of Liberia’s democratic process and ‘there is no greater right in the democratic dispensation therefore every citizen must exercise such right.
“AS I INDICATED IN A statement issued last week and the aftermath of these ugly incidents, my government has ‘zero tolerant’ on electoral violence and I condemn in the strongest possible term those who will resolve to such level of violence for political gain. to choose those who will lead us. It is therefore important that that franchise is exercise without fear of Intimidation or violence of any kind,” he said.
THE PRESIDENT ALSO recognized that it is the responsibility of and every democratically elected government to create a conducive atmosphere for citizens to safely and peacefully cast their ballots in every election, no matter how significant.
THE PRESIDENT’S condemnation of the waves of violence comes after several other individuals, organizations and women groups have condemned such and questioned the looming culture of impunity in the country.
LAST WEEK, A GROUP of women, in a show of their disgust for the level of impunity perpetrators of violence continue to enjoy and the intimidation meted against female political candidates protested before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DESPITE ALL THESE, key members of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) who are wanted by the Liberia National Police (LNP) to assist with investigation in connection with one of the incidences of violence are reluctant to cooperate with the Police.
THE INSPECTOR General of Police has given the pair up to today, Monday, August 26 to show up at the Police Headquarters to aid with investigation into the violence that led to the assault on Deputy Inspector General.
WE BELIEVE THAT as leaders of the ruling party, they ought to exhibit true patriotism and nationalism and show support to the President’s declaration of zero tolerance to violence.
THIS IS WHY WE URGE Chairman Mulbah Morlu and Representative Acarous Gray to submit to the police for investigation into the violence that occurred under their watch.
WE ALSO URGE THE LNP to speed up with investigation into acts of violence that have occurred around the country and ensure that those in conflict with the law are brought to justice.
