Concerted, Criminal Effort To undermine Democracy -Furious Weah Describes Attempts to Oust Koffa, Warns CDC Lawmakers

MONROVIA – Clearly, hot tensions that are hovering in the air portend gloomy political climate for Liberia in the air, evidenced by unusually harsh rhetoric coming out of the mouth of former President George Manneh Weah who is characteristically known for his soft, noncombative if not reconciliatory utterances despite provocations that came his way while president or even before. But it seems the reported attempted ouster of House Speaker Fonati Koffa, a fellow Kru-man and top CDC official in the Unity Party government, has crossed his redline. As THE ANALYST reports, the former president is vocally barking at not only the legislative mutineers but also “judases” within the CDC House Caucus.

As it is becoming clearer now that there is a determined effort by a number of lawmakers to dethrone their Speaker, Grand Kru County Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa, the Political Leader of the biggest opposition party, former president George Manneh Weah is apparently enraged and bitter, and has strong words for the plotters.

In a statement issued late yesterday, President Weah sounded extremely rarely bellicose and furious. He said: “It has come to my attention that the Unity Party-led government, under President Joseph Boakai, is making a concerted and criminal effort to undermine our democratic and constitutional institutions.”

The former President did not stop at that. He further asserted that the Unity Party was prosecuting the ensuing coup “by using ill-gotten funds from the National Coffers to influence the unjust removal of Speaker of the House, Honorbale J. Fonati Koffa”.

He also described it a “blatant act of political chicanery that not only threatens the integrity of the Liberian constitutional legislative process, but also sets a dangerous precedence for governance in our beloved nation”.

“I want to make it unequivocally clear: such actions will not be tolerated. The attempt to manipulate the legislative branch for partisan gain is a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the will of the people,” he added.

According to him, Speaker Koffa has served with dedication and integrity, and any effort to remove him illegally under the guise of political expediency is a desperate and cowardly tactic that must be condemned by all who value the rule of law.”

Warning to CDC Reps

Weah did not end venting his anger at only the Unity Party plotters, he had words also for his party’s lawmakers in the House.

“To the members of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) legislative caucus, I warn and urge you to stand firmly against this insidious plot,” he asserted.

“Do not allow yourselves to be swayed by pecuniary gains and the siren song of those who seek to destabilize our governance process for their own selfish interests.”

The former president declared that the participation in the plot against Koffa by CDCian House members “will not only betray the trust of your constituents but will also carry dire significant political consequences for your future within our party and in the eyes of the Liberian people”.

He therefore called on the top-level partisans to remain steadfast “in our commitment to democratic principles and the right of the people to choose their leaders without interference”.

“Let us also remain vigilant and united in our resolve to protect our national institutions and defend the integrity of our democracy,” Weah noted, ending with a two-word paragraph – “in solidarity!

UP Denies Supporting Revolt on Capitol Hill

While former President Weah and his committed partisans are sniffing anger and rage, holding its archrival culpable for orchestrating the House Palace Coup, the governing UP is claiming clean hands in the revolt.

In a release, ruling party “categorically rejects link to plot on Capitol Hill to remove House Speaker, Honorable J. Fonati Koffa”.

The Government describes “as preposterous, disgraceful and unfounded accusations by the leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mr. George Weah, that it is funding such a scheme”.

The Unity Party further said, “We believe that the purported plot to remove Speaker Koffa from his leadership role looks more like an internal power struggle within the CDC orchestrated by Mr. Weah. This is why Mr. Weah has been quick to deflect attention from himself to the Boakai-led Government.”

UP accused Weah for fighting proxy battles against prominent leaders within the CDC so as to cement himself as the party’s demigod rather than allow others to gain political prominence.

“It is our thinking that Mr. Koffa’s confident leadership style scares Mr. Weah; and that the emergence of other principled leaders within the CDC that will take away complete allegiance from the former President always faces such challenge,” said Acting Information Minister Daniel Sando.”

“To insinuate that the Government is using public monies to influence the purported actions on Capitol Hill to remove the Speaker, as Mr. Weah has done, speaks to the depraved mentality of the former President,” Minister Sando stated.

The Government reiterates that it is focused on delivering for the Liberian people. The people were rescued from Mr. Weah, and we remain committed to delivering for them the ARREST Agenda.

The Government will not be distracted by the former President’s continuous mudslinging and incendiary comments.