Liberia: IREDD Wary Over Continued Acts of Violence
Mr. Yeanay: “IREDD smells chaotic elections amid the conspicuous muteness of the Government of Liberia over growing politically motivated disruptions and unfolding lawlessness, just few months to the 2023 Elections.”
…. Envisages a chaotic electoral process if…
A pro-democracy group has warned that the current sparks of political tension leading to the October 10 polls could upset the conduct of a peaceful electoral process if care is not taken.
The group — the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) — noted that recent disruption of a worship service at a Church belonging to Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, by supporters of the ruling party, would serve as a precursor for chaos.
“With less than five months to the October 10 elections, Liberians are witnessing countless political upheavals and verbal attacks by players in the political space,” IREDD Executive Director, Matthias Yeanay, said.
“These countless attacks without prompt punitive action have the
propensity to provoke political conflicts and undermine a peaceful democratic process of Liberia.” It is important that everyone speaks openly against these unhealthy occurrences that have the propensity to create untold multiplying unrest.”
Yeanay said that what is even more worrying for the group is the perpetual and conspicuous muteness of the government, despite being clothed with the responsibility to ensure a peaceful environment, especially as the nation gears up for elections.
He noted that good democratic governance requires socio economic justice for all; as such, the ruling party should ensure respect for the rule of law for peaceful coexistence.
“CDC affiliates must refrain from acts that are inimical to basic human rights and peaceful environment for Liberians and Residents as IREDD likes to acknowledge the Farmington River Declaration of 2023, signed by 26 registered coalitions and political parties on April 4,” he said.
He cautions all political parties and leaders to ensure that their supporters desist from any actions that have the propensity to incite violence or conflict of any form, stating, “we are documenting all incidences of violence during these elections and will present information gathered to our partners.”
Yeanay calls on the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police to unconditionally ensure the respect for the rule of law irrespective of political affiliations. He said Liberia is a country of laws and not a country of men and that prompt punitive actions within the rule of law remains essentially the only possible reliant for fostering peaceful coexistence in any country.
Yeanay, In a related Development, has said that he is troubled over the many forms the new Liberian Banknotes are being infused into the economy.
Yeanay said a review of video footages from the vicinity of the Christ Chapel of Faith Church has clearly proven beyond all reasonable doubts that the act was planned and executed by supporters of the VP for which prompt punitive action to deter and prevent future occurrence is yet to be taken, something that
undermined the government’s leadership roles.
Yeanay said prior to the decision to print L$48 billion it was agreed that all the old family banknotes will be completely replaced within time as was done by the late President Samuel K. Doe administration in mid-1980.
Unfortunately, he said, the Central Bank of Liberia seems very slothful and politically influenced over adherence to strict monetary policy.
“The CBL is not clear about the timetable for replacing all the old family of the Liberian banknotes to the new one, clearly stating the percentage that has been replaced and what was left. Notably, only a few government officials are in possession of the new notes,” he said.
He made mention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bhofal Chambers, who was seen in video footage distributing huge sums of Liberian banknotes among women in his native Maryland County.
Yeanay feels there should be some level of probe into such matters by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). “The FIU needs to institute a prompt investigation to ascertain the source of such huge volume of money,” he said.