The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has threatened to provide protection for former President George M. Weah if the Joseph N. Boakai administration fails to yield to his request for twenty-five (25) personnel of the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
Ex-President Weah returned to the country some three weeks ago following a month-long family vacation in France, Italy and other parts of the world. According to information, he has requested government to provide 25 EPS officers for his security amidst the wave of insecurity in the country.
Since the information came into circulation, there has been no formal response from the Boakai administration.However, the CDC has issued a strongly worded statement demanding the government to heed to their Standard Bearer’s plea and not to fall short of the number he has requested for; threatening to protect him themselves if anything falls short of that number.
In a press conference at the CDC headquarters on Friday, March 15, 2024, the Secretary General of the party and former Mayor of Monrovia, Jefferson Tamba Koijee, said, “President Weah [has] asked for 25 EPS personnel, but if you cannot provide him that—anything that falls short of that number we can assure you we will protect him ourselves.”
Koijee’s statement was more or like a threat than a plea, as he warned that the day they come to the conclusion of protecting former President Weah President Boakai can rest assured he will not go to work.
“We will call for a national protection day for President Weah, and on that day Mr. Boakai, you will work from home and not the Executive Mansion,” Koijee stated.
According to him, the day the CDC comes out to protect Weah they will ensure that he is well protected, and that they will not leave until the day they feel comfortable that he is, indeed, fully protected.
“Don’t push us, for we have what it takes to make you uncomfortable; go and do the people’s job. We won’t pretend to you…we don’t seek popularity; we are action-oriented characters. We will ask the citizens to join us in protecting President Weah,” Koijee further warned the Boakai administration.
Koijee also warned the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Sam Gaye, not to issue dismissal threat on any EPS personnel, or they will get him busy very soon.
“Sam Gaye, you’re there threatening people about dismissal in the EPS…Let me inform you, you lack authority to dismiss anyone. We will get you busy very soon. These people were trained by the state; government invested in them and you [can’t] come here to threaten them,” the CDC SG noted.
“Because you narrowly won election you think we should dance by the whims and caprices of Mr. Boakai?That shenanigan must stop NOW!” Koijee added.
He then expressed concern about the wave of insecurityin the country under the Boakai administration, and told his audience that the CDC will provide security for themin the different communities.
“We have worked throughout the fifteen counties, and modalities have been worked out. We won’t announce the numbers for security reasons, but when faced with any situation just place a call and we will move in without delay,” Koijee announced.