MONROVIA – Jefferson Tamba Koijee, Secretary General of Liberia’s former ruling party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has made a stark accusation that Liberia has turned into a “plantation of massacre” since the Unity Party came into power in January 2024.
Koijee’s statement came in response to comments made by the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah. Piah had claimed that four auditors were killed under the CDC-led government. Koijee dismissed these claims as an attempt to deflect from the current government’s failures, suggesting that state security forces now routinely kill ordinary citizens.
“You lied your way to power by saying four auditors were killed. We will not do the same because we are not desperate for power, as evidenced by our peaceful transfer of power to you. However, the evidence of how you have turned this country into a plantation and massacre site is irrefutable,” Koijee asserted at a press conference held at the CDC headquarters on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Koijee’s comments directly addressed Minister Piah’s recent threats against former President George Weah, where Piah said, “former President Weah should conduct himself properly or we will go after him.”
Highlighting the plight of civil servants, Koijee stated that while the current government claims civil servants were beggars under the CDC administration, they are now being treated as slaves and some are even killed for standing up for their rights.
“You said we made civil servants beggars during the CDC-led government. Granted your characterization is true, at least beggars had freedom and were not killed. Today, motorcyclists are being deprived of their freedom to provide for their families. Ordinary Liberians are being killed for no reason. Workers are losing their lives at the hands of state security officers solely for demanding their just benefits. Liberians are being treated like slaves because you have made yourselves their masters, and Liberia is your plantation. You have turned the country into a plantation where people are being slaughtered and killed,” he maintained.
Koijee emphasized that the CDC will not stand by while “political desperadoes” terrorize the people of Liberia. “The Unity Party signed a social contract with the people of Liberia. We will ensure they live up to that contract. Anything contrary will not be tolerated,” he stressed.
Regarding the recently concluded “militant day” event, Koijee said the CDC appreciates the resilience of its partisans who endure challenges for their political beliefs. He announced plans to observe a “national martyr day” to remember CDC partisans who lost their lives over the years. He praised the success of the June 28-30, 2024 event, highlighting the involvement of ordinary party members and reiterating the CDC’s commitment to transforming setbacks into a great comeback.
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