By Grace Q. Bryant
The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) says the countless attacks during elections period without prompt punitive action have the propensity to provoke political conflicts and undermine a peaceful democratic process of Liberia.
“Liberia is a country of laws and not country of men; prompt punitive actions within the rule of law remains key and possible the only reliant for fostering peaceful coexistent in any country,” he said.
Speaking on a press conference yesterday at the of headquarter of IREDD, Executive Director, Matthias M. Yeanay said the May 21, disruption of the worship service at the Christ Chapel of Faith of Senator Prince Y. Johnson was said to be the works of a group of people identified to be supporters of the NPP, a faction of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) who are supporters of Vice President, Chief Madam Jewel Howard Taylor.
“A review of video footages from the vicinity of the Christ Chapel of Faith Church has clearly proven beyond all reasonable doubts that the act was planned and executed by supporters of the VP for which prompt punitive action should have been meted to deter and prevent future occurrence, but it is yet to happen; something that undermines government’s leadership roles,” Director Yeanay noted.
He maintained that with less than five months to the October General and Presidential Elections, “We all are witnessing countless political upheavals and verbal attacks by players in the political space,” and called on all well-meaning citizens to openly speak out against those unhealthy occurrences that have the propensity to create untold multiplying unrest.
“Good democratic governance requires socioeconomic justice for all; therefore, the ruling party should ensure respect for the rule law, provide good and balanced leadership for all irrespective of affiliation, this will ascertain peaceful coexistence and promote democratic governance processes in Liberia; CDC affiliates must refrain from acts that are inimical to basic human rights and peaceful environment for Liberians,” Director Yeanay added.
He explained that the Farmington River Declaration signed unto by 26 registered coalitions and political parties on April 4, Unification City, Margibi County, the overall objective is for peaceful democratic processes during and after the October elections in Liberia.
“To this effective, and amid the overgrowing political upheavals and continued attacks across actors despite the overwhelming signing of the Farmington River Declaration of 2023, IREDD is constrained to cautions all political parties and leaders to ensure that their supporters to desist from any actions that have the propensity to incite violence or conflict of any form,” he said
IREDD called on the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police (LNP) to unconditionally ensure the respect for the rule of law irrespective of political affiliations.
However, from all indications, the not guilty verdict raised more questions than answers and has painted a dark cloud over the procedures and processes of Liberia’s justice system.
“IREDD is aware that the Ministry of Commence, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and Global Tracking Maritime Solution (GTMS) are key stakeholders in the trade facilitation chain of Liberia,” he noted
“IREDD thinks that the processes and relevant legal steps required were somewhat short-circuited thereby leading to the not guilty verdict,” he continued.
