Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
The Government of Liberia takes due cognizance of concerns coming from local and international quarters of the donning of the Coalition for Democratic Change paraphernalia by some members of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) during the party’s “One Million Men Rally” for the nomination of President George M. Weah for a second term bid.
According to a GoL release emaniting from the Ministry of Information under the signature of Minister Ledgerhood J Rennie, the Government says these concerns are legitimate and terms the EPS Officers’ behavior as embarrassing which it attributes to over-exuberance and lack of knowledge of the standard operating procedures of the service.
The Chairman of the Joint-Security of Liberia, Justice Minister Counselor Frank Musah Dean Jr. has mandated the head of the EPS Director Trokon Nathaniel Roberts to ensure that henceforth such unprofessional display by any member of the EPS does not recur.
“In a mandate to the National Security Forces of Liberia, Justice Minister Dean reminded all military, paramilitary, and other related security institutions of their oath to defend and protect all citizens and residents of the country in a manner that demonstrates neutrality, professionalism, and decency”, the release stated.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia wants to reiterate its expressed commitment to the conduct of free, fair, transparent, democratic elections in an environment that is secure and open to all stakeholders and participants regardless of political affiliation.
The government says it will not allow Saturday’s regrettable action on the part of some members of the EPS to put a dent in the enviable record of the Weah-led Administration of successfully conducting several elections in the country.
At the same time Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has strongly condemned the action of the EPS officers to wear paraphernalia of the party during the rally that took place simultaneously on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
The Secretary General of the ruling Coalition, Jefferson Tamba said the party through its Chairman Mulbah Morlu has sent communication to the director of the EPS on the matter, when he addressed a major news conference at the CDC national headquarters in Congo Town on Monday, February 6, 2023.
However, major opposition leaders including the political leader of the Liberty party Senator Nyonblee Karnga- Lawrence have raised intense concern on the action of state security wearing party materials.
Taking to her official Facebook page the evening of the rally, Senator Karnga- Lawrence termed the situation as worrisome and scary to see state security well armed wear the campaign uniforms of a political party
“A complete contradiction of the President’s annual message about level playing field and peaceful elections”, she said and vowed to notify the Legislature and all international partners for the record.
