MONROVIA — Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor on Monday failed to deny or confirm accusations made by Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson that she sponsored thugs who besieged his church on Sunday.
By Henry Karmo and Francis G. Boayue
A youth group under the banner National Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Council Sunday created panic at Senator Prince Johnson’s Christ Chapel of Faith Ministry, forcing members to flee for safety after they stormed the church’s premises chanting “War Crimes Court” slogans.
In an interview with legislative reporters, Howard-Taylor, ex-wife of detained former Liberian president Charles Taylor, chose to only condemn acts of violence ahead of the 2023 presidential and legislative elections, and remained coy on Sunday’s violence.
“I condemn in the strongest term any issue of violence in the 2023 general elections. We all signed unto a code of conduct, I stand by the President, I stand by the International Community, I stand by our country that peace is what we want,” she told a team of Legislative reporters at the Capitol Building Monday.
“These elections are about ideas, what do we do to lift the lives of our people. Violence cannot be a part of the psyche.”
The NPP standard bearer also refused to respond to questions about whether or not the protesters were from her party.
The Nimba County Senator had last week informed Liberians via Facebook to assemble at his church Sunday, promising to respond to Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who during the week, branded him a “killer” during an endorsement program for President George Weah held by Legislative staffers in the joint chambers of the Capitol Building.
UP accuses CDC
Hours after the incident, the opposition Unity Party (UP) condemned the incident, claiming it was perpetrated by thugs of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
According to the UP, It is important to note that the church is led by Senator Prince Johnson, a respected religious leader and prominent political figure who recently distanced himself from the CDC government due to its failure to implement beneficial policies for the people.
On April 4, 2023, the CDC, along with over 20 political parties, signed the Farmington’s Declaration committing to a peaceful electoral process. “The Unity Party believes that the thuggish behavior displayed by the CDC supporters represents a clear violation of this nonviolent agreement. As we approach the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for October, this incident raises doubts about the sincerity of Mr. Weah and his CDC party.”
CDC condemns protest
Meanwhile, the CDC released a statement minutes after the incident, calling it a “deliberate and malicious” misrepresentation of the set of events that happened on at the Christ Chapel of Faith in Paynesville by the Secretariat of the Unity Party.
The CDC said the congregation dispersed following a protest action led by a group of young people claiming to belong to the National Patriotic Party – a constituent member of the Coalition.
“First, the CDC wants to make it categorically clear that as an institution, it does not condone violence of any kind and did not plan nor execute one at the Senator’s Church. However, the party is of the opinion that in our new dispensation, the right to assemble and voice one’s views are fully guaranteed under the law.”
The party said the group appeared to be exercising these rights in a non-violent manner, that even Senator Johnson, against whom the protest was directed, did not say in his interview with the VOA following the protest that it was violent.
“For the Unity Party to come to such a conclusion and accused the CDC is an act of political desperation; so desperate that it now called the former warlord – who they have long denigrated – “a respected religious leader”. This shows how they came up with the unconscionable idea of aspiring to have his protégé within a heartbeat of the presidency.
Nimba Elders Frown on Pres. Weah
Meanwhile, a group under the banner “Nimba County Council of Elders” has expressed disenchantment in the leadership of Pres. George W. Weah, following a disruption of a Sunday service of their kingsman, Senator Prince, at his church.
In a press statement on Monday, the group condemned the violence and lawlessness inflicted by members of the CDC, saying: “We are deeply disturbed and troubled that on Sunday, May 21, 2023, certain members of the ruling coalition for Democratic Change dressed in their party red CDC berets and resolved to sow seeds of political confusion in Liberia when they invaded the church compound of Senator Johnson intimidating him while preaching the gospel, thereby forced members of his congregation to abandon their peaceful worship and went home.”
According to the spokesperson, Harry T. Yuan, Sr, the elders of Nimba are therefore calling on President Weah to demonstrate religious tolerance, political leadership, protect the laws of the land, support for peaceful, free, fair election and inclusive political participation by publicly condemning the violence and lawlessness inflicted by members of his ruling Coalition for Democratic Change against Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County.
He further called on the Ministry of Justice to arrest, investigate and prosecute all those involved in the “politically-motivated” invasion of the church premises by violence, lawlessness, threats, and intimidation during the worship service; as their action constitutes a violation of Articles 14&15 of the Liberian constitution bearing freedom of expression.”
He, however, lauded Senator Johnson for demonstrating not only political maturity and leadership, but also saving an ugly situation by peacefully exiting the scene without retaliation.
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