The Government of Liberia (GOL) has expressed empathy with the Chairman of the opposition Unity Party (UP), Rev. Luther Tarpeh, whose home was gutted by fire on Friday, August 12, 2022. Investigators from the National Fire Service were dispatched to the scene in order to determine the cause of the outbreak.
However, the government says it is deeply troubled by allegations contained in a press release from the UP, alleging that the government sponsored the incident. The party, in the release, said the government hired thugs to commit the arson.
Information Minister, Ledgerhood Julius Rennie, has described the claim as unfair, irresponsible and bearing no element of truth. He said the administration of President George M. Weah is not in the business of physically attacking its political opponents. “What do we stand to benefit from the action,” the Minister retorted.
He said President Weah is a man of peace who ascribes to the democratic process, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and is running a responsible government that does not engage in acts of “gangsterism”.
The government, the Minister said, empathizes with the victim, Rev. Tarpeh, who himself told journalists that he does not yet fully understand what led to the fire outbreak. However, contrary to the UP Chairman’s statement, its Secretary General, Amos Tweh, had already sweepingly accused the government of committing the unfortunate act, even before the arrival of investigators from the Liberia National Fire Service and the Liberia National Police (LNP) on the scene. “Tweh’s remarks were disappointingly contained in the party’s release,” Minister Rennie stated.
“The government wishes to emphasize that it has an internationally acclaimed democratic record, while also being led by an icon of peace, and will do nothing to taint its reputation. It is high time that political actors refrain from incendiary rhetoric that could undermine the country’s hard-earned peace, as we move to general and presidential elections next year.
“These creeping and unwarranted acts of provocation and bellicose political maneuverings will not distract the government from the course of development meant to improve the livelihood of ordinary Liberians,” Minister Rennie added.
The Information Minister, in a press release, said, “The government is only interested in solidifying the country’s peace and building upon its democratic gains, and therefore calls on all political parties, their cohorts, and supporters to join in this national endeavor.
“In recent years, the government has been engaged in efforts to augment the capacity of the Liberia National Fire Service as it grapples with frequent fire disasters around the country, which have been caused by a myriad of reasons. The government, therefore, urges the Tarpeh family and the Unity Party (UP) to remain calm while authorities determine the actual cause of Friday’s fire.”
However, in a press release issued Sunday, August 14, 2022, the Unity Party (UP) said it has read with laughter statement from the Ministry of Information in which it expressed, “The government is deeply troubled by allegations contained in a press release from the UP alleging that the government sponsored the incident at the home of its Chairman. The party in the release said the government hired thugs to commit arson.”
The UP said it is aware of the CDC government’s smokescreen strategy to announce investigations that have led to a number of inconclusive or “no foul play” outcomes.
“The UP wishes to remind the government that it has, on many occasions, announced a number of investigations in the following cases that yielded no results: the 2019 attack on the life of Miss Telia Urey and the brutalization of her supporters by the CDC in district #15; attempt on the lives of major political leaders, including Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, Senator Darius Dillon, Cornelia Krah Togba (candidate of the UP) and others during the 2018 by-election in district #13; the frequent attacks on the life of Representative Yekeh Kolubah, where live bullets were used in District #10; and the Lawrence Bropleh Committee constituted in the aftermath of the inhumane brutalization meted out against journalists at the SKD about two years ago, with no outcome,” the UP recounted in the press release.
“Additionally, there are countless reports of media censorship, government-sponsored attacks and the July 26 barbarism against a young university student who is still bedridden.
“The UP is aware of the government’s vehement denial in the claim that the arson attack on the properties of its Chairman was carried out by operatives of the CDC; as such, the outcome of the so-called investigation by government-owned institutions will be meant to validate its denial,” the release continued.
“In light of the government’s deliberate actions against opposition leaders, journalists, student activists and innocent citizens, Unity Party will not accept any finding that is not a product of investigation done by an independent forensic investigative panel in the burning down of its Chairman’s home during the early hours of August 12, 2022.
“The UP remains committed to peace, but is equally prepared to take all necessary actions to protect the rights, dignity and lives of its partisans and the Liberian people,” the release added.
