Monrovia, LIBERIA:
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets on Friday in Liberia to express anger over President George Weah’s alleged poor handling of the economy and perceptions that corruption is on the rise.
The Council of Patriots – a coalition of politicians, students and civil society groups – has called on people to come out to, in its words, “save the state”.
“We will remain in the streets until our demands are addressed… We will not leave the streets until we get results,”
protest leader and talk-show host Henry Costa is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
protest leader and talk-show host Henry Costa is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
People are stocking up on food ahead of the demonstration fearing that there could be trouble for the next few days, AFP news agency reports.
“I came to the market to get some food provisions for the family for at least seven days, because the way this protest news is going we don’t know how long it will go on for,”
Samantha Wongbay told AFP.
Samantha Wongbay told AFP.
One focus for people’s anger is the apparent disappearance of state funds.
Their anger centres on two scandals:
1. Revelations last year that $15.5bn Liberian dollars ($104m, £82m) of freshly minted currency had disappeared from Liberia’s ports.
2. The mismanagement of a $25m cash injection into the economy last year.
President George Manneh Weah Thursday, June 6, used his address at the dedication of the Duport Market to threaten “those that constantly threatening the states, constantly inciting people.”
“I want to be clear, we will not tolerate those kinds of citizens,”
the President stressed.
The President didn’t come clear with what he considers an insult; however, he stated emphatically:
“Those that constantly insulting the President, I want to be clear; after this, there will be no citizens in this country, I can defy you that will ever insult the President and think you will walk on the streets freely.”
President George Manneh Weah at Duport Road Market.
When he said “after this,” did he mean after the June 7 Protest?
However, President Weah admonished every Liberian, who may have grievances to channel them in “honorable way.”
He added and further threatens
“If you have your views, express your views but any insult and any threats that citizen will be dealt with under the law. And it can be whosoever.”
The Liberian leader then advised everyone to be cautious.
The President informed those Liberians that even though they have their freedom of speech,
“You have your responsibility to make sure that freedom is exercised in a peaceful way and in harmony.
He then brags about being one of those presidents who signed law for Liberians to have freedom of speech.
“In our history, I am the one, one of the Presidents that signed your law for you to have your Freedom of Speech. Even those that abuse our rights are those people that are asking for their human right.”
President Weah, however, stated that he will give Liberians their rights. Nevertheless, he added:
“But you have the responsibility to make sure your right doesn’t impede any other citizen’s right.”
He wanted to make sure that his strong message was reaching every nook and cranny of Liberia.
“So, I don’t know if this message is going across the country. But just in case you are not hearing me, ask your friend ‘What did the President say’.”
He then called on all Liberians, for their country’s sake, to be claimed and to be peaceful.
Sources:FrontPage. | Citi.
President George Manneh Weah Thursday, June 6, used his address at the dedication of the Duport Market to threaten “those that constantly threatening the states, constantly inciting people.”
“I want to be clear, we will not tolerate those kinds of citizens,”
the President stressed.
The President didn’t come clear with what he considers an insult; however, he stated emphatically:
“Those that constantly insulting the President, I want to be clear; after this, there will be no citizens in this country, I can defy you that will ever insult the President and think you will walk on the streets freely.”
President George Manneh Weah at Duport Road Market.
When he said “after this,” did he mean after the June 7 Protest?
However, President Weah admonished every Liberian, who may have grievances to channel them in “honorable way.”
He added and further threatens
“If you have your views, express your views but any insult and any threats that citizen will be dealt with under the law. And it can be whosoever.”
The Liberian leader then advised everyone to be cautious.
The President informed those Liberians that even though they have their freedom of speech,
“You have your responsibility to make sure that freedom is exercised in a peaceful way and in harmony.
He then brags about being one of those presidents who signed law for Liberians to have freedom of speech.
“In our history, I am the one, one of the Presidents that signed your law for you to have your Freedom of Speech. Even those that abuse our rights are those people that are asking for their human right.”
President Weah, however, stated that he will give Liberians their rights. Nevertheless, he added:
“But you have the responsibility to make sure your right doesn’t impede any other citizen’s right.”
He wanted to make sure that his strong message was reaching every nook and cranny of Liberia.
“So, I don’t know if this message is going across the country. But just in case you are not hearing me, ask your friend ‘What did the President say’.”
He then called on all Liberians, for their country’s sake, to be claimed and to be peaceful.
Sources:FrontPage. | Citi.
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