By Washington Tumay Watson
Liberia-What was portrayed as a Rescue Mission, to apparently unshackle citizens from political, economic and social degradation, appears to be turning into a risky mission, as a peaceful protest was turned catastrophic and apocalyptic.
Several protesters sustained injuries, others arrested when officers of the Liberia National Police Tuesday, December 17, 2024, unleashed lethal force on peaceful protesters, tear gassing, firing bullets and using water cannons in a manner described as sheer display of autocratic and dictatorial leadership that sheds light on President Joseph Boakai’s true color of the leader he is.
Injured protesters were seen from social media footages at the protest scene on Capitol Hill being carried away, while others’ clothes were blood-stained from apparent injuries sustained. A man was scene with cut marks on his head, with thick blood stain overwhelmed his white T-shirt.
The scene was characterized by wailing, and Representative Yekeh Kolubah of Montserrado County 10th District, who formed part of the protest, could be heard “They have fired at one of bodyguards in his foot; they wanted to kill me.”
A group of protesters and reporters on the scene were heard saying that police had used live bullets at the protesters. There is no official or independent confirmation of the use of live bullets during the protest.
“Ehn your see, they are using live bullets at us,” remarked angry protesters as they carried one of their colleagues who was hit in the foot. The mark on his foot, as was displayed, appeared to be that a bullet, but this paper could not determine whether it was because of live bullet or blank bullet.
A gentleman garbed in a yellow jacket scene in the middle of the street holding his foot covered in blood from an alleged live bullet fired by the police. “Your see the man here, he is bleeding from his foot; he was fired in his leg,” some of the protesters said as they surrounded him.
A police officer was also seen carrying a wounded protester in his arms.
These ugly developments are said to have run unparallelled to the government’s avowed commitment to uphold democratic values supported by the rule of law.
The protest was staged by concerned citizens in defense of the rule of law which they claimed is under attack, frequently violated and not adhered to by President Boakai and his administration.
The scaring happenings stemmed from the leadership saga at the House of Representatives where a group of renegade lawmakers have elected to depose duly elected Speaker of the House, Cllr. J. Fornati Koffa in the absence of what he (Koffa) termed due process laid out in the Constitution and the House’s Standing rules.
Embattled Speaker, resisting any illegal actions of his colleagues, sought the intervention of the Supreme Court of Liberia on two different occasions, first before the Justice-In-Chambers and the Full Bench.
In its judgment, the Court said any actions that do not conform with Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution is ultra vires, and ordered both parties to return to status quo, meaning to do things in accordance with the law.
Rather than mitigating the tension from the leadership contest, the Court’s ruling, according to legal and ordinary citizens, further fueled the tension.
Both parties claimed victory as per the ambiguous ruling of the Court, though many legal minds said the ruling far more favored the embattled Speaker Koffa compared to his adversaries in the crisis.
While the situation remains unabated with no solution in sight, the Executive Branch headed by President Boakai recognized the faction, the majority bloc, seeking the Speaker’s removal in sharp contrast to Court’s ruling.
The Executive Branch’s decision grounded by Justice Minister Oswald Tweh’s interpretation of the Court’s ruling in favor of the Majority Bloc angered Liberians as clear violation and flagrant disregard to the rule of law, which the government promised to uphold.
Rule of law is on of several pillars that constitute President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda.
However, several protesters including former Aide to former President George Weah, Sekou Kalasco were arrested and taken to the Headquarters of Police for their alleged involvement and participation in yesterday’s violent protest.
Members of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and other political and civil society organizations including Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, and District#10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah were organizers of the Non-stop Citizens In Action To Protect the Rule of Law.
The protest which started on a peaceful note later turned violent when police fired teargas as well as bullets at the protesters.
According to our, the protesters along with their lawmakers were peacefully walking from Districts #9 and 10 to the Capitol to present a petition to the House of Representatives and the Senate when they and the police engaged into confrontation.
It is alleged that the police came into the fray when Protesters began blocking the road, stopping and ordering vehicles detoured.
Besides Kalasco and others, both Representatives Saah Foko and Kolubah were not arrested.
Condemnation of police action
Meanwhile, a former strong supporter of President Joseph Boakai has condemned what he called police brutality and violence against peaceful protesters, and called for calm between state security and aggrieved protesters.
“Everyone has the right to assemble and protest in an orderly and peaceable manner. This right is guaranteed under Article 17 of the 1986 Constitution,” Martin Kollie indicated in a statement issued minutes after the violence.
“We, therefore, encourage the government to protect the rights of the aggrieved protesters, the firing of teargas is condemnable and inimical to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression,” Kollie stated.
He further urged state security to completely refrain from using lethal force against unarmed protesters. “The use of force or threats by state security against journalists is also unacceptable,” he indicated on his social media page.
He also disclosed that the throwing of stones by aggrieved protesters at police officers and refusing to act in an orderly and peaceable manner is also condemnable.
“While Article 17 guarantees protest, it also insists that such action must be orderly and peaceful, and the cherished values and tenets of democracy must be protected.”
Also, organizers of the protest, Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Our Constitution, Democracy, and Rule of Law has condemned the Boakai administration’s brutal attack on peaceful protesters.
The group, in a statement, demanded the ‘unconditional release of those unlawfully arrested and brutalized by the police.
The statement accused President Boakai of ordering Inspector General of Police Gregory O.W. Coleman to order police office to “shoot and kill unarmed citizens who were peacefully gathering at Capitol Hill to petition the National Legislature to restore constitutional order.”
“We vehemently condemn this government’s actions as insensitive, brutal, inhumane, and barbaric. The use of lethal weapons on peaceful citizens is clear evidence that President Boakai has reduced Liberia to a state of tyranny. Such a disastrous presidency must not be allowed to survive another year,” the group said.
They are demanding unconditional release of over 75 protesters who were shot, wounded, tear-gassed, and unlawfully arrested and brutalized by state security forces.
“ We have credible intelligence that these detained citizens are at risk of being tortured to death. The world must know: if any harm befalls our people, President Boakai and his government will be held fully responsible. Release our people now,” the statement went on to say.
Equally so, the group called on all Liberians and leaders of opposition political parties to join us in putting an end to the Unity Party nightmare.
They said: “This is not a time to let personal disagreements overshadow the urgent need for national salvation. We will mobilize across the country, from towns to villages, to save the heart and soul of our motherland.”
For his part, District # 9 representative Frank Saah Foko said
a peaceful assembly organized to exercise fundamental rights of expression and protest was violently suppressed by the Liberian National Police.
According to him, the protestors were subjected to severe force, including live bullets, tear gas, and water cannons, all of which are clear violations of their constitutional rights.
“The heavy-handed response by law enforcement stands in stark contrast to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the protection of civil liberties as enshrined in Liberia’s constitution,” Rep. Foko stated.
The District 9 strongly condemned the “excessive use of force against peaceful citizens.”
He reminded the government that the constitution of Liberia guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, protest, and freedom of movement, all of which were grossly infringed upon by today’s actions.
“It is deeply troubling that citizens expressing their grievances in a non-violent manner were met with brutality from those entrusted to uphold the law,” Foko, one of the embattled Speaker’s staunch supporters noted.
He disclosed that he has already taken steps to seek justice on behalf of the affected citizens.
He further stated that he has already reached out to the court system to initiate legal actions against all individuals and institutions responsible for the unlawful actions taken against the protestors, including those who were unlawfully imprisoned.
Rep. Foko said “This is not just a fight for the individuals involved, but for the preservation of our democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights.”
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