The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) says it is beginning to recognize signs of bad governance in the first six months of President Joseph Boakai’s government.
According to the LCC’s stern statement issued, its president, Samuel Reeves outlined incidents of rule of law violations, lack of transparency, and accountability as the early warning of such bad omen.
He said the Liberia National Police has since been responsible for the shooting and deaths of several civilians; some, the police has denied with the protest at Bea Mountain Mining Company in Grand Cape Mount County being a classic example.
“The very police that was accused of discharging live bullets on the protesters cannot be both the player and the referee in such a critical situation involving the lives of citizens,” LCC stated.
LCC further criticized the government’s decision to provide US$ 5, 000 to the families of the deceased protesters thereby terming such action as demeaning and an affront to the people of Grand Cape Mount County.
Beyond the fatal incident in Cape Mount, LCC said it further documented several other excesses by the police and other state security forces, urging the government to put an end to these practices.
However, another incident occurred on Monday, July 1, 2024, in the Rehab Community, where a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed by an officer of the Liberia National Police pointing out that the “Liberian security forces should avoid what is described as uncivilized and barbaric acts that result in the loss of citizens’ lives.”
On January 22, 2024 after President Boakai took office, some officials holding tenured positions at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and other state entities were removed from their posts and replaced.
The Liberian churches leaders highlighted that, instead of resolving the issue, President Boakai escalated the saga by removing tenured officials; intimidating and harassing others who remained in office noting that, “Meanwhile, the decision from the Supreme Court was left undone, and it undermines coordination among the three branches of government.”
The LCC said in as much as it commends the Boakai-led administration for its decision to sign the joint resolution for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia, praising the President for the bold step, it also welcomes the bold step but added that President Boakai would need to provide all the support to ensure that the court is formally established.
