A country where citizens cannot sleep in peace and security in their own homes and cannot count on their government and police and security forces to provide them security and safety is; I am afraid that is not a responsive state,” Joseph Boakai has said.
VP Boakai intimated that coming on the heels of a Legislative and Presidential Elections just nine months away, they are worried that the current atmosphere of insecurity and violence portends danger that might have inverse impact.
However, he stated, “We will continue to collectively invest in our peace. Liberians will march forward to the ballot box to vote the change they deserve. The change which will ultimately usher in the guarantees for their human dignity.”
The former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai made the remarks when he strongly condemned the deadly attack on former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, which led to the sad and untimely death of her daughter Charlie Musu on Thursday, February 23.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at his residence in Rehab community, VP Boakai expressed, “I condemn in the strongest possible terms this despicable, cowardly attack and an act of barbarity carried out by armed men on the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and many other attacks on Liberians and residents, who remain anonymous and suffer in silence, and whose stories we do not often hear and whose investigations remain inconclusive.”
According to the Unity Party Leader, the act of violence meted on a member of the Judiciary and many others before now who do not get the justice they deserve is an attack on the very foundation of the rule of law and democratic society, adding that the country is trying to build following years of violent conflict.
Former VP Boakai asserted that the Constitution of Liberia mandates and confers responsibility on the government to protect all of its citizens without discrimination, something which he thinks the Weah-Taylor government has failed.
Among other things, he noted that in the years of the Weah administration, the country has witnessed an incessant increase in conflict and political violence with increased criminal and interpersonal violence.
The UP leader however, maintained that criminal activities are rife and remain a major threat to the peace of residents in Monrovia and many other communities in the country.
He highlighted burglary, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, substance abuse, theft, and other acts of violence on persons as common features of concern in communities.
“Sadly, the responsiveness of our security institutions, still challenged with structural and capacity deficiencies, is highly negligible. The state security system as is at the moment is limited and under-resourced. And instead of investing in peoples’ and community security, President Weah is focused more on elite and private security, which tends to serve him and his few officials,” Boakai stated.
“President WEAH’S prescription that citizens buy CCTV cameras to address the rising violence and lawlessness demonstrates his government’s failure, insensitivity, arrogance and lack of understanding of its obligation to the citizens and residents of Liberia. It also shows President Weah and the CDC government’s woeful inadequacies to govern,” he noted.
He said, “We have a contrary view; when we invest in people’s security, not only do we limit violence and conflict, but increase access to security for all and build a peaceful society.”
According to Boakai, he and his wife Kartumu Boakai mourn with Justice Scott and her family in their grief and pray for them as well as the soul of their loved one who was gruesomely murdered in the incident, noting that they are also praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded family member.
“We, accordingly, demand a speedy investigation into the incident and associated circumstances and request that the outcome of said investigation be made public. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. We must not allow violence and intimidation to undermine our hard-won peace and erode the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy we aspire for in our society,” he added.
This brazen act of criminality sadly underscores the tragic state of affairs in our country where no one is safe, not even in their own home. We are deeply saddened by the pervasive crisis of insecurity and lawlessness that has engulfed our country and frightened fellow citizens and residents who live in constant fear in their homes, communities, towns, and villages.” he maintained.
Former VP Boakai however called on international partners to take note of the deteriorating security situation while asking them to join in their demand to impress on the government to fulfill its foremost obligation.
He furthered that the failure of the Weah-led administration to perform its basic duty of providing safety and security to citizens and residents alike is a major derelict of his constitutional obligation as President.
The UP leader is however, calling on all Liberians to be their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, stressing to strengthen community watch groups and form groups where none currently exist.
“The President and his government have thrown in the towel. Just as they cannot provide jobs, better health care, good education programs, youth empowerment, and better ethical standards in government, etc., they are unable to provide your basic security needs,” Boakai maintained.
