MONROVIA : The Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) yesterday, Monday, May 22, 2023 added its own voice to the growing number of condemnation on “the planned lawlessness on Sunday, May 21, at the Christ Chapel of Faith Church, a place of worship, involving persons claiming to be supporters of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), a member-party of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)”, adding that “this provocation, said to be masterminded by the ruling CDC, is an intentional violation of the Farmington Declaration, and further undermines trust in the leadership of the Weah administration to conduct non-violent and credible elections in October”.
In a press statement released from the party and signed by Mr. Martin Saye Kollah, Deputy Secretary General the party also frowned on the promise of Senator Prince Johnson, whose service was disrupted, to mobilize five hundred (500) plus civilians and ex-combatants, as well as threats of “killing somebody” coming from someone claiming to be Senator Johnson’s bodyguard. “These comments are triggering and traumatizing reminders of brutal wars and insecurity for the victims and families of over 250 thousand Liberians who were killed by warring factions”, the party said.
“Our political leaders ought to know better than to lend themselves to lawlessness, intimidation, violence and threats of violence against their political opponents. This is unacceptable. Our people do not need to be frightened into supporting any political candidate or party, nor should our nation’s peace and security be threatened. The government, with a sworn duty to protect all citizens, cannot continue to orchestrate and conspire to undermine the rights of all citizens to live in peace and express their views.
“The continued abuse and exploitation of Liberian youth is unacceptable. Rather than providing the needed skillset, jobs, and empowerment for our young people, failed government officials and other individuals are using them to instigate violence and lawlessness in the society to cover up their failed stewardship of the country.
“We urge our young people to resist the temptation to be used by those who promised to make their lives better but have failed miserably to do so”, the party said.
The CPP further said that it will not sit back and allow the country to return to its lawless and murderous past of factional wars, including between the NPFL and the INPFL, stressing that there must be consequences for these violent behaviors, incitements, orchestrations, and threats to Liberia’s peace, stability, and security. “The continuous absence of consequences for perpetrators of these lawless behaviors only confirm why the Weah government must not be given a second term”, the party said.
“The CPP calls on ECOWAS and the global human rights community to put all perpetrators of violence on notice; with specific warnings that any use of violence in the upcoming election will be punished in strict accordance with international law. We also call for a regional security support intervention with a mandate to protect civilians and ensure the safety of election workers who could be vulnerable to threats of violence and coercion.
“Lastly, we call on all Liberians to remain peaceful and resist the urge for violence during these elections”, the statement concluded.
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