Amidst soaring threats of a series of protests by opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) up to and including a major disruption of the highly anticipated inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf into her second term of office, the Liberian leader has declared that her government “will not be intimidated” into changing its plans to suit the demands of the CDC.
President Johnson Sirleaf told the Daily Observer in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that on inauguration day, every corner of Monrovia and its environs, including the corridor between the city and the Roberts International Airport, (RIA), will be inundated with soldiers and security personnel, ensuring effective security for Liberians and invited guests.
“It will be safe. We have to let people know that this government will not be intimidated and will not change its plans because of [those threats]. On inauguration day, our soldiers will be out, and large gatherings will be banned. We will have high-level delegations traveling from the airport to the inauguration grounds; and that corridor has to be safe. We will make it safe.
“Let me ensure the public that there will be no disturbance for the inauguration. The National Security Council has met. Our security people are anticipating several scenarios and are formulating responses to any of those scenarios which might occur. We are expecting a large number of people, high-level personalities from all over the world to be coming to the inauguration. And everybody knows that Presidents who are coming and other key personnel have to be protected. And they will be,” the President insisted.
Sub-regional heads of state, including Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, and those of the Mano River Union (MRU), are expected to grace the January 16, 2012 inaugural event. A high-level United States delegation, including leading members of Congress, will also be attending the ceremony.
However, opposition CDC has embarked on 'a media campaign' announcing its plans to install its own government on January 16. President Johnson Sirleaf, the certified victor of the November 8, 2011 presidential runoff election, has described such plans as a “big joke.”
“The CDC has to make up its mind whether they want to become a respected and loyal opposition or whether they want to be on the fringes, just causing trouble; in which case we will then have to deal with them in a different way.
“We are only recognizing those CDC leaders with whom we have worked politically. We are communicating with the people we know to be the true CDC leadership, not with new comers on the scene. And the true CDC leadership is working with us. They have someone on the Inauguration Committee who is working. Those are the people we recognize.
“I have said that we are going to have an inclusive government. There are capable people within the CDC who meet our requirement and will be offered opportunities to join the government. That goes for all levels within their ranks. There are other political parties too! It's not just CDC. We've got some other primary political parties that also must be included. So, we are going to open the doors for their inclusion.” she said.
The President was, however, quick to add that she “owes no political debts” moving into her second term. She said though some appointments and decisions that will be taken will have political overtones, the structure of her new Cabinet will not be affected by any political debts.
She is open to constituting a government of 'competent' inclusion, she said, but it should not be considered political debts, “because there are none that I have to pay.”
