Marshall City, Margibi County — Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Secretary General Jefferson Koijee, with US-backed sanctions hanging over him, may have lost favor internationally, but at home, he is still loved by many, including visually impaired Semah Weifur, who has not ceased from hailing him. Weifur, a blind Liberian singer, has transitioned from being a blind orphan living in an orphanage to a sensational national asset at a young age. His breakthrough was set to be realized when he encountered Nigerian superstars, Flavour, and MasterKraft.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)[email protected]
On December 8, 2023, the Secretary General of CDC was sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the United States Treasury, for alleged involvement in human rights abuses. “Koijee is accused of stoking violence and controlling paramilitary-style organizations associated with the CDC. These groups, according to OFAC, allegedly comprised former combatants and recently released prisoners and are believed to have violently disrupted government critics’ demonstrations and opposition activities,” the release from OFAC states. It added: “Koijee is also implicated in various instances of violence, including an opposition rally in July 2022, a memorial service for former President Amos Sawyer in March 2022, an anti-rape protest in August 2020, a student graduation ceremony in December 2019, and an opposition rally in November 2018. Koijee is also accused of engaging in corrupt acts, including bribery and misappropriation of state assets for private political movements. OFAC sanctioned him under Executive Order 13818 for serious human rights abuses and corruption.”
Koijee, the then Monrovia City Mayor, at the time, termed the US sanctions against him as the biggest conspiracy among all the accusations that have come forth his way. “Everybody is telling me, ‘What about the biggest conspiracy? What about the sanction?’ Let me say to you and not be disrespectful to you: I belong to an institution. His Excellency President George Weah received the news, and he was devastated, so he cut short his trip and came yesterday evening. Officially, the party will be stating its position, and the government will also state her position,” Koijee said.
Speaking during the Margibi County Students Union event in Marshall City, Margibi County, the visually impaired Weifur told the gathering of young students that Koijee is a calm and good man who has supported him throughout the years. He added that Koijee has suffered from false allegations. Weifur also assured Koijee that no matter what, he will come through all the accusations that have been put forth against him. “I’m short of words; nobody has done what my father Mr. Koijee has done for me. No disrespect to the people who have impacted me, but Koijee has been more than an impact; it is deeper than an impact,” Weifur said. He added: “Despite all the accusations, all the huff and puff against you, Koijee, we still got your back ’cause ain’t nobody who can stop your fire. They will complain about you; they will curse you; they will insult you, but they will start to demand you.”
Also speaking, Koijee praised Weifur for overcoming his challenges to the extent that he is making an impact both nationally and internationally. He told the gathering of students to see Weifur as their role model and impact their society, adding that they are the next future leaders that Liberia can be proud of. “Some of you have faced a challenge or a condition but never allow anything that you have encountered to limit you,” Koijee told the students.