Monrovia – Protesters demanding that the George Weah’s administration gives account for the missing newly printed banknotes have presented two separate petitions to the government of the United States through the Embassy in Monrovia and the European Union special envoy to the country.
Report by Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, [email protected]
The protesters, comprising 26 pro-democracy groups, are calling on the two diplomatic missions in the country to exert pressure on the government to give account of the money.
Presenting the petition to diplomats of the EU, Martin Kollie and Emmanuel Gonquoi said the protest is a peaceful rally of conscious and patriotic Liberians in pursuit of 16 billion Liberian dollars that mysteriously disappeared under the government of President Weah.
“With oneness of purpose and unhindered allegiance to Liberia and posterity, we have come on this day to send this clarion message to our international partners through the European Union,” states the petition, which was read by Kollie.
Earlier, the protesters also presented the same petition to the US Embassy, which was done inside the embassy and was off limit to reporters.
The protesters say the disappearance of the billions of local currency is creating hardship for many ordinary Liberians, thereby creating security implications for the state.
The group has made the following requests to the international community:
* That the EU and other international partners launch an immediate independent forensic investigation into the saga
* Call on the EU, US and UN to withhold all other financial and non-financial aide to the government until it fully accounts for the missing money
* That all those linked to this ‘mass looting’ should be prosecuted and made to fully account for their mayhem
* Requesting the international community to conduct an audit of all the government’s financial dealings so far under President Weah and former President Sirleaf
* Calling for the rebranding of anti-graft and auditing institutions
* That public officials directly link to the missing billions should recuse themselves from their jobs and be subjected to investigation by an international independent investigation panel
At the same time, the protesters say, they are also concern about the new government’s source of the recent US$25 million infused into the economy. They also want to know how the money was used to mop up the economy.
“COCUBOM prey your indulgence to launch an investigation into the giant size private properties that are being constructed and purchased by President George M. Weah and some high ranking members of his government in just six months.”
“We are confident that such investigation will also dig out some hard truth about the 16 billion missing,” Kollie said, while also calling on the diplomatic community to press the government officials to declare their assets.
The protesters are also calling on the international community to expedite the establishment of the war and economic crimes court in Liberia, which they believe will end the “long-standing culture of impunity and guarantee justice for Liberia”.
” This approach will set a deterrent for would-be economic criminals,” the petition added.
Officials of the EU mission including the Charge de Affairs received the petition and thanked the protesters for being peaceful, promising that they are going to “study” the concern of the protesters with “a lot of attention”.
“Of course lot of these things, we are very interested to follow up as the European Union but of course we are not going to respond to the demands at this very moment but of course we are going to study it and discuss with all partners in Liberia,” said the Charge de Affairs.
The protesters have now moved to the headquarters of the United Nations in Liberia, Pan African Plaza, where they are will deliver the final copy of the petition. Despite the heavy rain, hundreds of protesters are standing in the open awaiting leaders of the campaign to present the final copy of the petition t the UN.