Monrovia – The Students Unification Party (SUP), a student-based political party at the state-run University of Liberia, is calling for the removal of the Vice President and Dean of Students Affairs, Associate Professor Sekou Konneh, over alleged corruption.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)- [email protected]
For most of the morning hours, protesting students blocked the road leading to the Capitol By-Pass, disrupting traffic and threatening to disrupt the final exams for the academic semester, scheduled for Monday, July 15, 2024, if Mr. Konneh remains in his position.
“Dean Konneh must leave the university because over the years, he has refused to listen to the students. We have written to the Acting President several reasons why Dean Konneh needs to leave the university,” one protesting student said.
He added, “Today, our action is to call on the President of Liberia to ensure that they listen to the students publicly. We are clear that Dean Konneh must leave. If he doesn’t leave, there will be no final exams at the University of Liberia.”
At some point, an officer of the Liberia National Police arrived at the scene to ensure that the students left the main road, but the students refused.
According to the protesting students, their action to block the main road in front of the University of Liberia stemmed from issues that affect them as students and, by extension, affect the entire country.
“You cannot stop other people’s movement, you guys need to clear this road,” the officer said. One student replied, “This is the only way the national government can listen to us. This is a caveat to the national government.”
Failing to control the situation, the officer left the scene, and riot police were called in. The intervention of the riot police dispersed the protesting students from the main road, allowing motorists to move freely again.
After the protest subsided, Dean Konneh told journalists that his office is always open to address these matters of concern, adding that he sees no reason for violence and misconduct on campus. He described the students’ actions as violent and akin to gangster behavior.
To restore order at the university, Dean Konneh said his office, in accordance with the university students’ handbook, will take serious action against those involved in violent acts.
“I was not appointed by students to demand my resignation. My appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees; if they see fit, that’s a different matter,” Dean Konneh said. “No one has the power to disrupt the exams, and that’s why we have the Liberia National Police to put mechanisms in place. We’ve informed the government, and they’ve responded appropriately.”
Addressing allegations of corruption, Dean Konneh denied any involvement in handling students’ graduation fees, adding that his office has nothing to do with money.
“Students Affairs regulates activities, but the Business and Finance department handles payments,” he said.
Regarding the Tuition-Free Policy at the university, Mr. Konneh expressed support but noted that a minimum GPA of 2.5 per semester should be required to ensure students value the opportunity.
“Anything that is just free is not respected. There should be a standard to ensure students appreciate the benefits,” Dean Konneh stressed.
The Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Liberia also stated that the suspension of all political activities on campus, in effect since June 2019, remains enforced.
