THE LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT IMPLICATE OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ARMS SAGA – SAYS NDC

LIBERIA – In the wake of the ongoing investigation regarding the cache of arms found at the National Port Authority (NPA) in Monrovia recently, the National Democratic Coalition of Liberia (NDC) strongly cautions the Weah government not to falsely implicate the opposition as was done by the military government and some past civilian governments throughout the ‘80s. The opposition recognizes that this could undermine our growing democracy and be a potentially high national and regional security threat.

In a press statement issued by mandate of the National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Coalition of Liberia (NDC) on January 9, 2023 – Ref: WRTJ041280 and signed by Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, NDC Int’l Vice Chairman said recently, it was reported that a cache of arms entered the country through the port and was seized by the National Police (LNP) and the joint security.

“The NDC strongly condemns whoever brought the arms into the country to disrupt peace and elections. The international community and the Liberian people have maintained the peace for the past 15 odd years since the end of the civil war that took the lives of over 250 thousand of our compatriots,” the statement indicated.

According to the statement, NDC is concerned that this could be an alibi by the government to ban political parties and incarcerate opposition leaders, for which the NDC questions why would anyone engage in arm insurrection when democratic elections are a few months away in October 2023.

Also, why would anyone who is interested in an armed conflict with the government import arms through the National Port Authority which is controlled by the very government? Could this not be a probable orchestration by pro-government forces? These questions present no collective rationale for such activity, hence exonerating the opposition, democratic-minded citizens, and patriots in the country, the statement said.

In historical retrospect, the NDC statement said that the military government of General Samuel Doe utilized such tactics and alibi to eliminate his comrade-in-arms like General Thomas Weh-Sehn and M.M.D. Flanzamington; clamp down on civilian political personalities like Togbah Nah-Tipoteh, Amos Sawyer, Gabriel Kpolleh, Beyan Kesselley; ban opposition political parties; and, imprisoned student leaders like Alaric Tokpa, Ezekiel Pajibo, Lucia Massaly, among others.

In conclusion, the statement said: “The NDC, therefore, implores the government of Liberia to conduct a thorough and professional investigation so as to establish, with facts and evidence, the actual sources of the arms and prosecute those responsible for bringing arms into the country. NDC calls on all parties to support the democratic process leading to the 2023 Elections. The formation of the Democratic ALLIANCE remains paramount!”