MONROVIA – The Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL), through its President Rev. Dr. Kortu Brown has cautioned leaders of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) to stop ‘hiding’ behind the Council of Patriots (COP) to stage a protest intended to ensure the resignation of President George Manneh Weah.
Rev. Brown is also the President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), and the Founder/General Overseer of the New Water in the Desert Assembly (NWIDA) Apostolic Pentecost Church
The IRCL is a consortium of the Liberia Council of churches (LCC), and the National Muslim Council of Liberia.
The CPP comprises of the former ruling Unity Party (UP) of Joseph Nyema Boakai, Alternative National Congress (ANC) of Alexander Cummings, All Liberian Party (ALP) of Benoni Urey, and the Liberty Party (LP) of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.
It can be recalled that the Chairman of the COP, Henry Costa, recently announced that the group will stage consistent protest dubbed ‘Weah Step Down’ in Liberia, beginning December 30.
According to him, the group’s decision stemmed from alleged bad governance and the numerous economic constraints and challenges Liberians are experiencing under the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government.
But according to Rev. Brown, the CPP should distance itself from any violent acts that have the propensity to unseat a democratically elected leader.
He made these comments on Sunday while delivering his sermon at the New Water in the Desert Assembly (NWIDA) Apostolic Pentecost Church in Brewerville, outside Monrovia.
According to him, the CPP must take responsibility for its own actions, instead of hiding behind a specific group of individuals to stage a protest that would stir up instability in the country.
Rev. Brown maintained that thousands of Liberians and others have lost their lives as a result of the over-a-decade civil conflicts, and as such, those having problems with the governance process of the nation should engage into dialogue, instead of getting into the streets.
He observed that the June 7 ‘Save the State’ protest staged by the COP, was widely supported by the CPP.
“The Collaborating Political Parties should stop hiding behind the COP; stand up for your own actions and don’t hide yourselves. The Assistant Secretary-General of Unity Party is the acting Chairman for COP. We have already killed enough people in this country, and we do not want to kill again,” he stated.
Rev. Brown furthered: “If you have problem with the system, or if you think the system is not performing, go to the elections. Liberia and its citizens do not deserve another round of war. I want to call on all Liberians to talk, engage and reach out to one another. We should not continue to be angels of destruction to our own country. This country does not need war or trouble again. The children”
A nation full of ‘crooks’
At the same time, the renowned Liberian clergyman has attributed the backwardness of the nation to the influx of ‘crooks’ in all sectors of the Liberian society.
According to him, ‘crooks’ remain visible in political parties, families, churches and communities, among others.
Rev. Brown maintained that Liberia will continue to experience difficulties until these ‘crooks’ can change their attitudes.
“We have crooks everywhere in Liberia. How will the country change when there are more crooks in the political parties? For the nation to be alright, the crooks must become straight,” he noted.
Pride and hatred
“The Collaborating Political Parties should stop hiding behind the COP; stand up for your own actions and don’t hide yourselves. The Assistant Secretary-General of Unity Party is the acting Chairman for COP. We have already killed enough people in this country, and we do not want to kill again.”
– Rev. Dr. Kortu Brown, President, Inter-Religious Council of Liberia
Rev. Brown pointed out that hatred, envy and pride are negative vices that are prevalent among Liberians.
According to him, many citizens feel pride to ask for help on the assigned tasks and responsibilities that they are unable to do.
He indicated that most often Liberians are humble when they do not have anything to do, but the spirit of pride takes over their lives, after they have ascended or excelled in life.
“One of the main things we are faced with as a country is the valley of hatred, undermining, lying and the sowing of seed of discord. In Liberia, a man is only humble until he gets job. Even your own friend, when he becomes a Representative, he becomes a hill,” Rev. Brown maintained.
He continued: “If a man becomes President in Liberia, he becomes a mountain that is very hard to climb. If you do not know how to do a particular work, ask someone to help you. You don’t have to spy. Liberia has been destroyed by pride.”
He further pointed out that challenged sectors in Liberia are getting tougher on a daily basis, and as such, nation leaders should strive to address those challenges.
Rev. Brown made specific reference to the reduction in the exchange rate between the Liberian and United States dollars, while the prices of basic commodities remain high.
Presently, the exchange rate between the Liberian and United States dollars stands at L$1 to US$190.