MONROVIA – During the course of the weekend, the country witnessed a ghastly scene of violent altercation between some Fulani residents of Monrovia and a police officer over attempts to effectuate a power theft arrest order. As the video content of the somewhat brutal encounter made the rounds, the Liberian Fullah Community quickly galvanized their citizens in an unprecedented show of strength, with their membership threatening to disrupt the country’s 178th July 26 Independence Anniversary. But as The Analyst reports, Liberians have been taking sides in the brouhaha, with some for and others against the stand-down. Notably however, among the divergence of views, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala as Chairperson of the Liberian Centrism Movement, has sent out a salient call, counseling all sides to exercise restraint, given the precarious nature of the incident which had the conflicted parties seemingly running afoul of the rule of law.
According to Cllr. Gbala, the recent altercation involving a Liberian Muslim woman of Fula heritage and a police officer during an attempted arrest over alleged power theft presents a deeply sensitive moment for the country, one that tests the citizens’ collective commitment to justice, tolerance, and national unity.
“While no citizen is above the law and violence against law enforcement is unacceptable, the response by the police must always reflect professionalism, proportionality, and respect for fundamental rights. The reported beating, dragging, and forcible removal of the woman’s hijab-a powerful symbol of religious identity-raises serious human rights and cultural concerns that merit urgent and impartial investigation.
“This incident cannot be viewed in isolation. It unfolds against a backdrop of historical grievances and perceives marginalization faced by the Fula community, particularly regarding issuesof citizenship, political exclusion, and social stigma.
“Public actors, especially those in law enforcement and government, must therefore be especially mindful of cultural sensitivity and the broader societal implications of their actions. Ensuring equality before the law also means recognizing how identity-based experiences of discrimination shape public trust in institutions. Accountability must be pursued in a way that protects the rights of all involved and affirms the state’s obligation to uphold human dignity-regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender.
“At the same time, we urge religious and community leaders within the Muslim and Fula communities to guide their members toward constructive engagement. They must avoid inflaming tensions through divisive rhetoric or allowing political actors to exploit the situation for partisan gain. Peaceful protest and lawful advocacy are hallmarks of a healthy democracy and must be protected-but must also be conducted with restraint and respect for public order. Violent or inflammatory responses will only deepen existing divides and undermine legitimate efforts to seek justice and reform.
“This moment calls for calm, reflection, and responsible leadership across all sectors of Liberian society. Let us use this unfortunate incident as an opportunity to strengthen our national fabric-not tear it apart. Let us reaffirm that Liberia belongs equally to all its people and that our differences-religious, ethnic, or cultural-must never be the basis for injustice or exclusion. In unity, with justice and respect for all, our nation can truly rise,” Cllr. Gbala stated emphatically.