MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The headquarters of the main opposition political party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), became the epicenter of escalating tensions on Wednesday, August 22, 2024, as a violent confrontation unfolded between CDC supporters and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) in Congo Town, Monrovia. The scene, marked by stone-throwing and tear gas, has sparked widespread condemnation and urgent calls for leadership and accountability from the police force.
Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), emphasized the critical role of the LNP in de-escalating the conflict. “The Liberian National Police has to show leadership here. They have the greatest responsibility to preserve the peace and restore calm, especially in this instant case,” Miamen stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from several senior CDC members, who have accused the LNP of using excessive force and acting under the directives of Inspector General Gregory Coleman. Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, who also serves as Secretary General of the CDC Legislative Caucus, expressed his dismay in a statement, saying, “I came under severe attack by Police under the instructions of IG Gregory Coleman earlier this morning at the CDC headquarters. After asking partisans to return to the HQ off the entrance of our Party and they respectfully obeyed, the Police still tear-gassed me and the folks in the full glare of the public while within the premises.”
Rep. Foko described the police’s actions as “unprofessional” and “life-threatening,” adding, “Gregory Coleman and the government will have to answer why they want me dead. The peace of this country is in their hands, and I see them doing everything to jeopardize it.”
Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill echoed similar sentiments, condemning the raid as a “brazen attack” on the CDC and an affront to Liberia’s democracy. “This is an unacceptable act of aggression that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and the rights of political parties to operate without fear of violence or intimidation,” McGill declared. He called on the international community, including the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, ECOWAS, the United Nations, and the European Union, to take urgent notice and condemn what he described as an “abuse of power.”
Montserrado County Senator Saah H. Joseph also weighed in, denouncing the police’s unauthorized entry into the CDC headquarters as a violation of legal procedures and an attack on the democratic process. “The unauthorized entry into the premises of a legitimate political party is a grave infringement on their rights and an attack on the democratic process itself,” Joseph stated. He called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident and emphasized the need for restraint and dialogue to restore peace and stability.
CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee, in a strongly worded statement, accused the government of orchestrating a series of violent attacks against the party. “For the third time, well-armed, deadly state security mercenaries launched an onslaught on the premises of the Mighty CDC and its partisans and citizens,” Koijee asserted. He warned the security forces not to be used as “pawns” by what he described as “decorated state-looters.”
As tensions continue to rise, the situation at the CDC headquarters remains volatile. The unfolding events have raised concerns about the potential for further violence and the implications for Liberia’s fragile peace and stability. The calls for accountability and the involvement of international bodies suggest that this incident could have far-reaching consequences, both domestically and on the global stage.
The Liberian people, many of whom have taken to social media to express their outrage, are demanding answers and action. As the country struggles with this crisis, the role of the LNP and the government’s response will be closely scrutinized, with the future of Liberia’s democracy hanging in the balance.
