Delay In Justice Encourages Mob Rule …Ambassador Gang Warns

By Precious D. Freeman
The Ambassador of Cameroon to Liberia, Beng’yela Augustine Gang, has issued a stark warning against the growing trend of mob violence across Africa, emphasizing that when legal institutions fail to act promptly and fairly, citizens may feel compelled to take justice into their own hands.
Speaking at the launch of a campaign aimed at discouraging mob justice in Liberia, Ambassador Gang underscored the crucial role that magistrates and judicial officers play in ensuring public confidence in the legal system.
“The magistrates must give the impression that they can solve problems before people feel the need to intervene violently,” he stated.
Sharing a diplomatic perspective, the Ambassador pointed out that even within embassy operations, perceived delays or injustices can spark unrest.
“In diplomacy, if I delay the processing of passport applications, people may think I am being unfair and attack me,” he said noting, “Fair and speedy justice reassures everyone. It defends the weak and keeps the powerful in check.”
Gang made a passionate appeal to Liberians and other African nations to reject mob justice and instead invest in lawful systems of accountability.
He emphasized that mob justice undermines both state authority and human dignity, often leading to further chaos and violence.
“This is the age that concerns all of us,” Gang declared, pointing out that the challenge of ensuring justice is not confined to any one country or region.
He urged African leaders and citizens alike to take a continental approach to resolving systemic flaws in justice delivery.
Drawing on Liberia’s own history, the Ambassador noted that the nation’s past struggles offer valuable lessons for the rest of the continent.
“The experiences of Liberia are such that Liberia should be a teacher for our countries and many other countries in this domain of loss of central authority, mob justice,” he said.
Gang described mob justice as a dangerous substitute for lawful redress.
He warned that such practices are not just acts of desperation but often reflect deep mistrust in institutions.
“If you want to expand the idea of mob justice to what happened here 20-something years ago, you will see that it was a big form of injustice that nearly destroyed your nation,” he remarked, referencing Liberia’s brutal civil wars.
The campaign he helped launch seeks to empower Liberian citizens to seek justice through formal and legal channels.
By building trust in institutions and promoting access to justice, the initiative aims to curb incidents of vigilantism and politically motivated violence.
“When people lose faith in the justice system, the consequences are dire—not just for the victims but for the stability of entire nations,” Gang warned.
He cited mishandled elections and chaotic political discourse as further contributors to systemic instability in African democracies.
He praised President Joseph Boakai for establishing the Office of the Ombudsman, a body designed to offer accessible justice to those unable to afford legal representation.
However, he criticized the limited public awareness about this institution.
“This office is not well expressed to the population. It is where people without money for lawyers can seek alternative justice,” he explained.
According to Ambassador Gang, distrust in political and judicial institutions can quickly escalate into political unrest.
“When someone has a political grievance, they may rally a crowd and storm Parliament or the courts. This does not reflect well on the country’s stability,” he said, highlighting the dangerous ripple effects of institutional failure.
He reiterated that democracy goes beyond just holding elections. It also means engaging with citizens and responding to their needs in everyday governance.
“Justice may be slow, but like real democracy, it is the only safe way for all of us,” he added.
The Ambassador urged government institutions to prevent mob action by building credibility. “The media, the police, the judiciary, they must all build trust with the people,” he advised.
He emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and proactive governance to stem preemptive public reactions.
Gang also cautioned the media against inflaming public tensions through careless reporting.
“Sometimes I’m attacked in the media simply because I’m perceived as being negative to Liberia,” he noted, calling on journalists to be partners in peacebuilding and social stability.
He ended by commending Liberia’s civil society for its promotion of pro bono legal services, describing it as a vital step toward equitable justice.
“Pro bono means justice for the poor. Let us use what we have including the Ombudsman to solve problems before they become national threats,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Gang appealed to all segments of society to commit to fair and timely justice.