Monrovia – Bomi County District #1 Representative Edwin M. Snowe has welcomed comments by the Alternative National Congress (ANC) in condemning the proposed ‘Weah Step Down’ campaign.
The Council of Patriots, following its peaceful June 7 protest, has announced another mass demonstration in December, duped the ‘Weah Step Down Campaign.’
But since that pronouncement, many political actors including backers of the June 7 protest have denounced the proposed demonstration.
The latest condemnation is coming from the opposition ANC headed by Alexander Cummings.
The ANC, in a statement delivered Sunday, October 27, said while it will continue to support peaceful protests as when necessary, as it did the June 7 Protest organized by the Council of Patriot, it is not in favor of one calling for President George M. Weah to step down.
The party has termed the proposed protest calling for the removal of a constitutionally elected President as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
“This is how responsible and patriotic opposition should sound. Any dissatisfaction of your government should be expressed at the polls and not by unconstitutionally using your citizens to satisfy your greed for unconstitutional power. Gone are the days in all ECOWAS Member States for any person of group of people to think you can take power through the back doors or to setup any so-called interim government.”
– Rep. Edwin M. Snowe, Bomi County, District 1
The “Weah Step Down” protest, intended to use mass pressure for the sole purpose of effecting regime change and seeking the removal of a constitutionally-elected President, is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and repugnant to Liberia’s desire for sustainable peace and democracy through competitive electoral politics. It was wrong then with the Ellen Step Down Campaign and it is wrong now,” the party condemned.
Plaudits have already been pouring in for the comments made by the ANC. Representative Edwin Snowe, who heads the Liberian Parliamentary delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, writing on his official Facebook Page lauded the ANC and said there was no room for unconstitutional removal of a democratic government in the sub-region.
“Let me publicly commend the Alternative National Congress for the statement below, he wrote, while referring to a quote from the ANC’s statement he had posted on his Facebook page.
“This is how responsible and patriotic opposition should sound. Any dissatisfaction of your government should be expressed at the polls and not by unconstitutionally using your citizens to satisfy your greed for unconstitutional power. Gone are the days in all ECOWAS Member States for any person of group of people to think you can take power through the back doors or to setup any so-called interim government.”
Rep. Snowe is a member of the opposition Unity Party. But he has often been criticized for his soft tone toward close ties with the ruling establishment.
Addressing a team of reporters recently in Monrovia, he termed his action as being more patriotic. He said while it is true that every citizen has the right to their opinions, it was prudent to work in the nation’s interest.
At the House of Representatives, Rep. Snowe often intervenes in settling disputes between the opposition and disenchanted lawmakers and House Speaker Bhofal Chambers.