LIBERIA – While some Bomi citizens are soliciting signatures to impeach one of their Senators, Edwin Melvin Snowe for alleged “Criminal Western Cluster” negotiation, the man at the center of the controversy has left the country and made a social media post that critical minds in the country considered “ridiculing” to the people of the county.
Bomi citizens are angry with Snowe for “selfishly” negotiating a mineral concession. The agreement is between Western Cluster and the Government of Liberia for the mining of the ores from Nomi and Cape Mount Counties.
Some of the citizens have accused Snowe of conniving with some government officials to wave legitimate government taxes.
This amongst several other charges, has promoted a procedure to begin the Impeachment of Senator Edwin Snows for Alleged “Criminal Western Cluster” Negotiation.
However, over the weekend, Edwin Snowe posted a controversial account on his Facebook page.
Writing from Guinea Bissau, he wrote: Let me focus on my regional assignment and get away from all the drama. Out in Guinea Bissau for two weeks.”
Some Bomi citizens believe Snowe’s post was intended to mock the people of Bomi, who are quarrying with him for subjugating the interest of the county for his personal interest.
The former son-in-law of war crimes convict, Charles Taylor recently fell out of favor with the citizens of Bomi County for alleged “criminal negotiation” with an India-based mining firm-Western Cluster and is on the verge of being removed as a Senator.
Some citizens of Bomi under the umbrella of a Pressure Group soliciting signatures for the sole purpose of impeaching Senator Edwin Melvin Snowne.
The leader of the group, Charles Browne says Snowe has Letdown the Bomi citizens by allegedly “Criminally” negotiating the western cluster deal that waved legitimate taxes owed to the people of Liberia.
According to Mr. Charles Browne, Senator Snowe led a team that allegedly included the Minister of Mines, Gersley Murray that went to India to encourage Western Cluster’s return to Liberia. Browne said the citizens are not just calling for the impeachment of Snows, but are demanding the immediate removal of the Western Cluster from Bomi.
An MOU reached with Western Cluster has subordinated the mineral development agreement reached between the Liberian Government and Western Cluster.
“Snowe was the lead negotiator who went to India and criminally and maliciously brought the firm back to Liberia and illegally waved taxes it owes the country.
“He criminally reduced a US24m tax obligation of Western Cluster to Liberia”, said Browne; adding that the senator has letdown the people of Bomi and must be removed as the county’s senator.
Ten thousand signatures are needed to effect the impeachment of the senator, according to Browne.
Hon. Snowe’s disposition to the seriousness of the frustration of some Bomi citizens over the Western Cluster deal is disturbing, not so much as to the propensity of the so-called “noise makers” to hurt his relationship to the majority of the people of Bomi, but the damage such political irritation can do to his international repetition. It is no secret that Snowe provides critical support to the people of Bomi through his personal investments in the county. So, in view of the level of poverty and hardship across Liberia, the ordinary people of Bomi will unwaveringly give Snowe their vote even if a Senatorial election was held tomorrow. It is clear to see that the majority of the disgruntled Bomi citizens behind the Western Cluster outcry are politically motivated, led by the political grasshopper Samuel Jackson, especially given that we are in a highly volatile political season.
Notwithstanding, I strongly caution Hon. Snowe to thread carefully, considering the last two decades he as he served in the House of Representatives, and now the Senate, he is more of an international diplomat than local. Much of his tasks are sub-regional mediations and crisis management. In such a role, an impeccable character is needed to authenticate and validate his continued participation. It is better to deal with the situation with the highest sense of maturity, knowing full well that his professional colleagues home and abroad have the capacity to appreciate the situation and draw their own conclusions on those matters.