The National Youth League of the Coalition for Democratic Change has called on the Liberian Senate to deny the confirmation of the Director General-designate, Abraham Kromah, for the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
In a press release issued Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the Youth League requested the Senate Committee on National Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs, to reject the LDEA Boss designate for several reasons, including his link to United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO–K), a warring faction from 1996-1997.
“Mr. Kromah represented the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO–K), warring faction, as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia from 1996-1997, during the Interim Council Government of Ruth Sando Perry,” the League Chair, Emmanuel Mulbah Johnson, said.
He claimed in the release that the nominee was awarded the position due to his role played within the ULIMO-K warring faction, specifically for his protracted record of human rights violation as documented by the mayhem and carnage caused by an active member.
“It seems the brutal killings of over 250,000 Liberians, mostly women and children, by Mr. Kromah’s ULIMO-K and other warring factions during the civil war was not enough; the appointment and subsequent confirmation of Mr. Kromah as Deputy Inspector General of the Liberian National Police (LNP) led to a significant increase in human rights violations and police brutality,” the statement added.
The CDC National League stressed that the Senate’s confirmation of Mr. Kromah to the position of LDEA Boss will be an endorsement of violence, civil unrest, mass protest, and a complete disregard for the rule of law in Liberia.
In the communication addressed to the Chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, Lofa County Senator, Momo T. Cyrus, the CDC Youths League also attached several links capturing Abraham Kromah’s alleged violent acts committed against peaceful citizens and journalists, for which he was dismissed by former President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
“As the saying goes ‘A leopard can’t change its spots’, so is the case with the nominee and his deadly record. The nominee is noted for inflicting wounds and casualties against peaceful citizens, political activists, and opposition. This reckless and unprofessional action on his part led to his dismissal by President Sirleaf in 2015,” Johnson emphasized.
According to the Youth League, the nominee has proven to be a political person, who, over the time, has been involved into political altercations with those he sees as opponents, and one person is former President George Manneh Weah.
“Mr. Kromah once called President Weah an ‘unsophisticated idiot’ and was seen actively campaigning for the Unity Party candidate, Joseph Boakai. The nominee’s track record of abuse, political intimidation, and human rights violations, isn’t just limited to those he perceives as political opponents, but also journalists and peaceful citizens,” it stated.
