MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, voted in favor of a motion mandating its committee on National Security and Defense to investigate reports and claims made by the opposition Unity Party. The claims allege that CCTV footage of its standard bearer, Joseph Boakai, was secretly released to the public.
By: Henry Karmo | [email protected]
The Senate’s decision came following a complaint raised by Senator Wellington Geevon-Smith of River-Cess County, who expressed serious security concerns and a breach of privacy, in accordance with international protocol.
The committee is expected to deliver its report on Tuesday, September 6th, 2023.
On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, the opposition Unity Party described an “imminent life-threatening situation” against its standard bearer, Joseph Boakai, allegedly orchestrated by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government operatives. This claim stemmed from the release of CCTV footage showing Boakai departing the Roberts International Airport early Monday morning.
Furthermore, the Unity Party stated that its intelligence bureau had uncovered that other high-ranking members of the “Rescue Mission,” a slogan of the Unity Party, were being tracked on the orders of President George Weah.
During a news conference held at the party’s campaign headquarters, Mr. Mohammed Ali, spokesman for the Unity Party campaign, accused the National Security Agency (NSA) Deputy Director, Sam Siryon, of unlawfully releasing a Close Circuit TV (CCTV) footage of the Unity Party’s Standard Bearer to journalists at his Freedom FM radio station and surrogates of the CDC.
Mo Ali stated: “The Rescue Mission Campaign, through its Intelligence Bureau, has now determined that there is an imminent threat to the life of our Standard Bearer from the CDC and its government operatives. Our intelligence bureau has also found that other high-ranking members of the Rescue Mission are being tracked on the orders of President George Weah.”
According to Ali, the CCTV footage was sent to NSA Deputy Director Sam Siryon by RIA Managing Director Martin Hayes.
Ali asserted, “The unauthorized release of CCTV footage of former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai by authorities of the RIA, at the behest of President George Manneh Weah, to surrogates of the CDC is a clear violation of Section 17.40.3 of the Liberia Civil Aviation Regulations, Volume XXI, No. 70, dated August 11, 2021.”
“The CCTV footage is part of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) of the UP’s Standard Bearer, and it constitutes a breach of his privacy. His right to privacy was clearly violated yesterday by the RIA and the government operating through the NSA and its surrogates.”
