By Olando Testimony Zeongar
MONROVIA – Attorney General, Justice Minister, and Chairman of the Joint Security of Liberia, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean Jr., has scolded some unidentified members of the elite force, the Executive Protection Service (EPS), for wearing President George Weah’s image-imprinted paraphernalia during the ruling party’s recently held “1 million Men Rally”, intended for the renomination of the Liberian leader’s second term presidential quest.
Justice Minister Deah has mandated the head of the EPS, Director Trokon Nathaniel Roberts to ensure that henceforth, what he (Dean) described as an unprofessional display by any member of the EPS does not recur, according to a statement issued Monday by the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), and released to the press.
In a mandate to the National Security Forces of Liberia, Justice Minister Dean reminded all military, paramilitary, and other related security institutions of their oath to defend and protect all citizens and residents of the country in a manner that demonstrates neutrality, professionalism, and decency.
Meanwhile, the CDC-led government says it takes due cognizance of concerns coming from local and international quarters of the donning of the Coalition for Democratic Change paraphernalia by some members of the EPS during the ruling party’s “One Million Men Rally” for the nomination of President Weah for a second term bid.
The Government termed such concerns as being legitimate and described as embarrassing, the behavior of the unidentified officers of the presidential security unit.
The GoL says it attributes the presidential guards’ behavior to over-exuberance and lack of knowledge of the standard operating procedures of the service.
“The Government of Liberia wants to reiterate its expressed commitment to the conduct of free, fair, transparent, democratic elections in an environment that is secure and open to all stakeholders and participants regardless of political affiliation,” the MICAT statement emphasized.
The statement added that the Government will not allow Saturday’s regrettable action on the part of some members of the EPS to put a dent in the enviable record of GoL of successfully conducting several elections in the country.