Liberia: CDC Calls for Investigation into Capitol Hill Fireplace, Condemns ‘Politically Motivated’ Arrest Order for Rep Foko
Monrovia – The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has alarmed over the latest hearth incident on the Capitol Building, calling on the federal government to conduct a swift and neutral investigation.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a press release by way of its National Chairman, Atty. Janga A. Kowo, the CDC condemned what it described as politically motivated actions, significantly the arrest order issued towards Montserrado District 9 Representative Frank Saah Foko.
The social gathering decried the federal government’s try and prematurely hyperlink people to the incident, emphasizing that no thorough investigation has been carried out to find out the reason for the fireplace. The CDC labeled the arrest order towards Representative Foko as a “politically motivated witch-hunt” aimed toward diverting consideration from doable authorities involvement or negligence.
Government Rush to Judgment
The CDC criticized the federal government for reaching conclusions concerning the hearth’s trigger earlier than launching a proper investigation. The social gathering famous that the Minister of Justice, throughout an interview earlier within the day, introduced plans to research the fireplace. However, shortly after this assertion, the federal government issued the arrest order for Representative Foko, alleging his involvement in what it now claims to be an act of arson.
The CDC argued that such actions increase suspicions, particularly given the heightened safety presence on the Capitol Building in latest days. According to the social gathering, the premises have been below strict surveillance by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and different safety businesses, significantly following the announcement of a Citizens’ Peaceful March scheduled for December 17, 2024.
“Any breach of this massive security dragnet would have been virtually impossible without the knowledge of the LNP or other national security agencies,” the assertion learn. The social gathering claimed the federal government is embarrassed by public notion that it bears accountability for the fireplace and is now resorting to scapegoating political opponents.
Call for International Support and Accountability
The CDC additionally known as on the worldwide group to help with technical experience in investigating the incident. The social gathering burdened the necessity for an unbiased inquiry to uncover the information and decide accountability.
Additionally, the CDC accused the Unity Party-led authorities of orchestrating the fireplace to distract from mounting strain over its alleged disregard for a Supreme Court ruling in an ongoing legislative deadlock. “Unity Party desperadoes are capable of concocting devious and diabolical schemes to deflect public pressure from their egregious rule of law violations,” the assertion alleged.
Condemnation of Arrests and Suppression of Democratic Rights
In the identical assertion, the CDC known as for the fast and unconditional launch of Sekou Kalasco Damaro and different people arrested throughout the protests. The social gathering accused the federal government of trampling on the democratic rights of its residents, citing the violent suppression of the December 17 march.
“Representative Foko, Mr. Damaro, and others committed no wrong in exercising their democratic right to protest,” the CDC asserted. The social gathering vowed to defend its members and supporters towards what it termed “kangaroo charges” and “abuses of power.”
Call for Unity and Democratic Values
The CDC reaffirmed its dedication to democratic governance, urging all Liberians to stay peaceable and law-abiding whereas exercising their rights to free speech, meeting, and protest. The social gathering warned the federal government towards undermining these elementary freedoms, emphasizing that “no amount of scapegoating or witch-hunting will succeed.”
As the nation awaits the result of investigations, the CDC’s name for transparency and adherence to the rule of regulation underscores the heightened political tensions surrounding the Capitol Building hearth and the federal government’s response.
The social gathering’s calls for for accountability and its robust rebuke of the Unity Party administration set the stage for continued scrutiny of the incident and its broader implications for Liberia’s democracy.
