Liberia on the edge

A self-styled Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia and the Campaigners for Change has urged Liberians to demonstrate on April 12 against corruption in Government, nepotism, among other concerns. They have also called for National Fast and Prayer Day on the same day. The call has generated heightened tension in the country to the effect that people fear a repeat of the April 14, 1979 Rice Riot which led to the overthrow of then president William Tolbert, according to some local press reports. “We all agree that there is corruption in government and nepotism is being practiced but equally so, we have to be mindful that this country is just coming from war. Will the organizers control the demonstrators if people start rioting and looting?” wondered Jestina Farkollie, a Liberian businesswoman quoted by a local daily. Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and Police Commissioner Chris Massaquoi have warned the would-be demonstrators that they will not be allowed “to violate the rights and peace of other Liberians”. The use of lethal and nonlethal force to curb the “unauthorized” demonstration was not ruled out by both men. Despite the warning, organizers of the demonstration remain resolute. “We know that the bullets will fly and police will be killing us; but we pray oh God to see you in Heaven even if we die for the truth to be remembered as martyrs of justice!” a recent petition from the coalition reads. Many citizens are reportedly stockpiling food and basic items in preparation for the aftermath of the demonstration. “There is no joke in snake's mouth. Some of us are buying enough foodstuffs and withdrawing our savings from the bank, because when we start hearing these boys talking about Monrovia being ready to be delivered from its pregnancy, we know they want to loot,” a female resident of Duala community was quoted as saying. Prominent Liberian lawyer Leveli Supuwood has warned against the planned demonstration. He told a local newspaper, Inquirer thus: “I am appealing to the planners of the pending demonstration to concede so that the peace this country is enjoying can be maintained.” He warns that April is known as an inflammatory month and such a demonstration will serve as an invitation for others who may harbor different intensions. He said he was not questioning the legality of the demonstration but was concerned about the possible adverse consequences that could arise from it. Several other political parties have expressed trepidation over the planned demo and called for restraint. Meanwhile a statement by the National Civil Society Council of Liberia yesterday issued a statement urging that the demonstration be called off referring to the situation in ye country as fragile. The statement in part reads: “As members of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), we strongly believe that every Liberian has the inalienable right to freely assemble, in accordance with the Constitutional provisions of this Republic. And as the lead civil society conglomerate, we will stand by every one of our citizens to defend this right as we have always done, no matter the consequences. “However, the Council is of the strongest conviction also that the Government of Liberia too has a moral and legal obligation to respect, uphold and protect the individual rights and space of its citizenry. Nevertheless, and in consideration of the heightened situation, and with the equally sensational statements that have been emanating from both sides of the divide – from supporters and dissenters of the planned April 12 demonstration over the last few weeks, the Council strongly believes that the planners, not withstanding their rights, should exercise maximum restraint in seeking a peaceful and amicable resolution to their grievances. “While the Council does not wish to remind our fellow compatriots of the dreadful meaning that the month of April has in the history of our nation, we want to seize the moment to call on our fellow compatriots to carefully look beyond the rhetoric and politics of agitation, and recall from whence we have come as a nation and people within a relatively short period that has seen us rise from the ashes of war, overcome the exigencies of emergency and are now on the road to recovery…” The statement goes on that the regardless of the problems confronting the country, “the council is aware that the timing of the planned demonstration, no matter how justifiable, could be manipulated and exploited by rogue elements of our society bent on undermining the relative peace and stability that we all enjoy today.” It calls on the importance of reforms being called for by the organisers of the protest action but stresses the “process must be all-inclusive and democratic”. The council urges the Liberian government “to create the enabling environment for dialogue, with the view of genuinely addressing the issues raised by our compatriot Liberians. For it is mainly through dialogue that we as a people will fully realize and explore our true potentials.”