MONROVIA – The standard bearer of Liberia’s biggest opposition political party, the Unity Party says in the years of President George M. Weah’s administration, Liberians have witnessed an incessant increase in conflict and political violence and increased criminal and interpersonal violence.

In a statement issued today on the violent attack on former Chief Justice Gloria Scott, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai indicates criminal activities are rife and remain a major threat to the peace of residents in Monrovia and many other communities in the country, adding, “Burglary, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, substance abuse, theft, and other acts of violence on persons have become common features of concern in our communities.”

“Sadly, the responsiveness of our security institutions, still challenged with structural and capacity deficiencies, is highly negligible. The state security system as is at the moment limited and under-resourced. And instead of investing in peoples’ and community security, President Weah is focused more on elite and private security, which tends to serve him and his few officials.” Below is Amb. Boakai full statement

FELLOW LIBERIANS AND RESIDENTS,

Our country awoke in the early hours of Thursday, February 23 to the terrible news of a deadly attack on former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, which also led to the sad and untimely death of her daughter Charloe Musu.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms this despicable, cowardly attack and an act of barbarity carried out by armed men on the Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and many other attacks on Liberians and residents, who remain anonymous and suffer in silence, and whose stories we do not often hear and whose investigations remain inconclusive.

This act of violence on a member of our judiciary and many others before now who do not get the justice they deserve is an attack on the very foundation of the rule of law and democratic society we are trying to build following years of violent conflict. Our Constitution mandates and confers responsibility on our government to protect all of us without discrimination. Our government has failed!

In the years of the Weah administration, we have witnessed an incessant increase in conflict and political violence and increased criminal and interpersonal violence. Criminal activities are rife and remain a major threat to the peace of residents in Monrovia and many other communities in the country. Burglary, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking, substance abuse, theft, and other acts of violence on persons have become common features of concern in our communities.

Sadly, the responsiveness of our security institutions, still challenged with structural and capacity deficiencies, is highly negligible. The state security system as is at the moment limited and under-resourced. And instead of investing in peoples’ and community security, President Weah is focused more on elite and private security, which tends to serve him and his few officials.

President WEAH’S prescription that citizens buy CCTV cameras to address the rising violence and lawlessness demonstrates his government’s failure, insensitivity, arrogance and lack of understanding of its obligation to the citizens and residents of Liberia. It also shows President Weah and the CDC government’s woeful inadequacies to govern.

We have a contrary view; when we invest in people’s security, not only do we limit violence and conflict, but increase access to security for all and build a peaceful society.

As we are alarmed and terrified by the invasion of the home of former chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott and the violent attack on her family by armed men, we are reminded of the numerous acts of violence and lawlessness that occur each day in homes and communities around the country with nowhere for citizens to turn for help.

This is sadly a daily occurrence.

Our information is that the attackers stabbed the victims multiple times, causing the death of Justice Scott’s daughter, Charloe Musu and serious injuries to another family member who was in the home. My wife Kartumu Boakai and I mourn with justice Scott and her family in their grief and pray for them as well as the soul of their loved one who was tragically murdered in the incident. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded family member.

We note that the attack on Justice Scott and her family occurred after two prior incidents of attack by armed men on her home on the 8th and 9th of February, which she reported. We also note the government’s neglect to provide her and her family with security after the previous two violent attacks. It also took several hours before the police arrived on the scene, only after the assailants had safely left.

We, accordingly,  demand a speedy investigation into the incident and associated circumstances and request that the outcome of said investigation be made public. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. We must not allow violence and intimidation to undermine our hard-won peace and erode the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy we aspire for in our society.

This brazen act of criminality sadly underscores the tragic state of affairs in our country where no one is safe, not even in their own home. We are deeply saddened by the pervasive crisis of insecurity and lawlessness that has engulfed our country and frightened fellow citizens and residents who live in constant fear in their homes, communities, towns, and villages.

We call on our international partners to take note of the deteriorating security situation and to join us in our demand to impress on the government to fulfill its foremost obligation.

The failure of the Weah-led administration to perform its basic duty of providing safety and security to citizens and residents alike is a major derelict of his constitutional obligation as president. A country where citizens cannot sleep in peace and security in their own homes and cannot count on their government and police and security forces to provide them security and safety is, I am afraid, not a responsive state.

Coming on the heels of national legislative and presidential elections just nine months from now, we worry that the current atmosphere of insecurity and violence portends danger that might inversely impact their conduct. These atrocities and provocations on our peace will not deter us. We will continue to collectively invest in our peace. Liberians will march forward to the ballot box to vote the change they deserve. The change which will ultimately usher in the guarantees for their human dignity.

To the people of Liberia, we call on you to be your brothers and sisters’ keepers. Strengthen your community watch groups and form groups where none currently exist. The President and his government have thrown in the towel. Just as they cannot provide jobs, better health care, good education programs, youth empowerment, and better ethical standards in government, etc., THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE YOUR BASIC SECURITY NEEDS.

Finally, I would like again to extend my deepest sympathy to Justice Gloria Scott: a loyal friend, a patriot, a decent Liberian, an astute lawyer and our UP Partisan, whose home was attacked by heartless and ungodly men. She deserves a better reward for dedicated service to our country.