Published: December 17, 2024
Monrovia – A coalition of Liberian citizens under the banner Concerned Citizens for the Protection of our Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law has vowed to shut down the Capitol Building, demanding that members of the House of Representatives respect the rule of law and fulfill their constitutional duties.
The group’s chairperson, former Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh, told a news conference on Monday, December 16, 2024, on Bushrod Island that the planned demonstration, dubbed “White Tuesday,” will bring together thousands of concerned Liberians from diverse political, organizational, and religious backgrounds. The protest, scheduled for December 17, 2024, aims to compel President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration to immediately restore constitutional order at the House of Representatives.
Baikpeh emphasized that citizens will peacefully assemble on the grounds of the Capitol Building as part of their constitutional right to demand adherence to the rule of law across all sectors of the country.
The protest is in response to the ongoing impasse at the House of Representatives, where a majority of members passed a resolution to remove Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa. However, the embattled Speaker has resisted the move, describing the removal process as unconstitutional.
As the political and legal wrangling continues, Baikpeh accused President Boakai of orchestrating the legislative turmoil to unlawfully remove Speaker Koffa. He described the alleged interference as anti-democratic, warning it could plunge the country into chaos.
“It can be recalled that since September of this year, President Boakai, through Vice President Jeremiah Koung, has invested over 5 million United States dollars to infiltrate and destabilize the House of Representatives in a quest to outrageously and unconstitutionally usurp the functions of the first branch of government,” Baikpeh stated.
He argued that the ongoing crisis has paralyzed the Legislature, preventing lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties and depriving Liberians of essential services.
Baikpeh further highlighted the country’s worsening socio-economic conditions, citing increasing ritualistic killings, high unemployment rates, drug smuggling, police brutality, illegal dismissals of civil servants and tenure officials, underpayment of security forces, and the reduction of data packages, all of which he said disproportionately affect impoverished Liberians.
He accused the Unity Party administration of abandoning its promise to “rescue” Liberians, instead fostering division and displaying a lack of leadership through “unscrupulous and unorthodox actions” in its first year in office.
“Article 1 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia states that all power is inherent in the people, and the people have the right to alter or reform the government if their safety and happiness require it,” Baikpeh stressed. He noted that this provision empowers citizens to remove public servants and fill vacancies through elections or appointments.
Baikpeh also cited Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to peacefully assemble, petition their government, and consult for the common good.
He called on all Liberians to join the protest in a coordinated white dress code, including shirts, face caps, or headscarves. Baikpeh assured that the group is prepared to provide food, water, and volunteer transportation for participants to ensure a large turnout for the protest.
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