MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Liberia’s main opposition, has issued a warning to the Unity Party-led government under President Joseph Boakai, cautioning against actions that could invite instability and chaos in the country.
CDC Chairman, Atty. Janga Kowo, expressed concern during a press conference on Monday, 29 April 2024, regarding President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s mandate for the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to audit the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), alleging that it contravenes the GAC’s Act.
Kowo criticized the government for allegedly attacking citizens who once served in the force. He stated that all Executive Protection Service (EPS) officers inherited by the CDC-led government were maintained, and there was no attempt to dismiss any of them.
Furthermore, Kowo accused Liberia National Police (LNP) Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman of committing a ‘classic abuse of power’ by allowing LNP officers to discharge live bullets against demonstrators in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.
Kowo also criticized the government’s public safety measures, particularly the restriction on commercial motorcyclists from riding in major routes considered no-go zone areas. He argued that such restrictions would go against the ‘rights’ of motorcycle and tricycle riders, stating, “You can’t use regulations to intimidate or stop the survival of citizens of the country.”
He emphasized that it was the deliberate policy of the Weah administration not to harass any motorcycle and tricycle rider. Kowo lamented that barely five months into the UP-led regime, it is unacceptable for the government to allegedly target cyclists.
“We want to encourage our cyclists, shoeshine boys, petit traders that we will defend your rights at all times,” he noted. “To the government, we think there are more pressing issues that need to be settled rather than going after citizens that [are] riding motorcycles for survival.”
Kowo concluded by stating that the CDC would remain robust in its advocacy to protect the lives of citizens.
