The Coalition for Democracy Change (CDC) says it is seriously alarmed by Liberia’s slide into lawlessness and Constitutional mayhem under the aegis of President Joseph N Boakai. “Today’s bloody suppression of a peaceful protest, and the undemocratic and un-Constitutional tenets of the reckless regime is a clear testament of the extent President Boakai and his lawless regime are prepared to go to exercise and maintain undemocratic power,” the CDC said in a press release.
The CDC condemned the unwarranted and excessive use of force by state securities, including the firing of live bullets at unarmed citizens. “These citizens were not a threat, they were exercising their rights to assemble and petition their government,” the party stated.
According to the CDC release, “Liberia, since the formal end of the civil conflict in 2003, has never been pushed to this precipice of lawlessness and Constitutional collapse as in the last few weeks since the Supreme Court’s decision in the House of Representative’s impasse. The Executive under the instructions of Mr. Boakai is consistent in its strive to deliberately undermine the rule of law and the Liberian Constitution for the purpose of exercising dominance over the Legislative and Judiciary branches of the government. To achieve this dominance, Mr. Boakai is prepared to move Liberia back to the dark era of autocracy, sacrificing the blood of innocent and peaceful Liberians toward this diabolical end.
“It is crucial to understand that the Liberian Constitution unequivocally protects the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. The recent actions of the government, including the arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens, are clear violations of these fundamental rights. The CDC demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained, some in undisclosed locations. This blatant disregard for the Constitution cannot be tolerated and must be addressed.
“We are utterly concerned about the reemergence of lynch law in our country after the panoply of democratic gains achieved under President George Manneh Weah over the last six years. The CDC is calling on our international partners, including the American Embassy, European Union, ECOWAS, etc., to take due cognizance of the government’s reinstitution of jungle justice, censorship, and intimidation of peaceful Liberians exercising their Constitutional rights after many years of sustained peace. We request the government to hold accountable those responsible for violating the rights of citizens and to desist from witch-hunts, illegal dismissals of civil servants, and disregard for the rule of law.
“We warn that every yard of silence from the international community on these flagrant Constitutional breaches, grants Mr. Boakai and his minions a mile of misrule, a continual pattern that would all but secure Liberia’s return to the horrifying police state of its decrepit and degenerate past. The time to put the lawless Unity Party government in check is now, not when the state’s collapse would have been virtually cemented.
“The CDC stands in towering, unwavering solidarity with the people of Liberia in their pursuit of democracy, respect for the rule of law, social justice, and human rights. We are committed to supporting these fundamental principles and will continue to advocate for their protection and promotion. The people of Liberia can rest assured that we will not waver in our support for their rights and freedoms.
“No abuse of our fundamental freedoms will force the Liberian people and the CDC into submission. Let President Boakai be warned that in the end he will buckle under the weight of the pressure from our people!”
