Monrovia – Mr. Lenn Eugene Nagbe, the chief spokesman for the George Weah-led government, has declared that going forward, the government of Liberia will not encourage any protest that will in some way undermined the peace and democracy of Liberia.
Report by Alline Dunbar, [email protected]
Addressing the ministry’s weekly press briefing Thursday, Minister Nagbe averred: “We will not allow any group of hoodlums to disturb the peace. We will utilize all legal means to do so.”
The minister’s statement came hours after protesters had blocked the street leading to the Catholic Hospital in Oldest Congo, Monrovia, demanding the release political advocate, Jestina Taylor.
The minister accused the opposition, who were defeated in the 2017 presidential elections, of attempting to cause chaos in Liberia, and added that the peace and security that Liberia enjoys must be protected by all Liberians, “even by the members of the opposition.”
“The peace and democracy we enjoy in our country today must be protected by all, even by those members of the opposition who did not win the elections in 2017, we have an obligation under our democratic dispensation,” the MICAT boss said.
“If they have issues, ask the police what is going on, there has been no desire on the part of this government to hold any citizen against his or her will,” Minister Nagbe said.
The minister said it is unfair for opposition forces to block traffic without any serious issue.
“It’s not that when you don’t agree with a particular issue that you go and hire people, to block traffic and destroy properties.”
The Minister, however, warned that the government “will be going after those that incite people to protest”.
“Those who aid and abet the violence will be brought to book in keeping with the law,” he warned.
Minister Nagbe said that because the government is practicing democracy, people in the opposition should not see it as a sign of weakness.
“What happened today on Tubman Boulevard where the traffic was being obstructed undermines our democracy,” he stressed.
Minister Nagbe clarified that, as was reported in some quarters, Jestina Taylor was not arrested by the Liberia National Police (LNP) but rather, the LNP was protecting her based on her complaints to them.
“You bring a complaint to the government; you say you are assaulted; you are raped, the government has the obligation to check and determine. How do we do that? We took her to the hospital for thorough examination and the medical records will tell us.” He said.
Madam Taylor has since been allowed to leave the hospital after she refused to give a written scenario of allegations of rape and kidnap levied against some members of the ruling establishment.