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Home Op-Ed

Open Letter: Joseph Boakai Administration’s Violation of Liberians’ Rights and Threat to Stability

by Contributor
December 23, 2024
in Op-Ed
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Kalasco, Others Remanded at Monrovia Central Prison Following Tuesday’s Protest

My Fellow Liberians and Members of the International Community,

On behalf of all concerned citizens of Liberia, I write to express our deepest concerns and outright condemnation of the undemocratic, unconstitutional, and non-transparent processes that led to the passage of Liberia’s 2025 National Budget. This process, marred by gross violations of democratic principles and legal standards, poses a significant threat to our nation’s stability, participatory governance, and constitutional order.

Fellow Liberians and members of the international community, my family: as you are aware, I have recently been in the news following my wrongful arrest by the Liberia National Police and subsequent incarceration at the Monrovia Central Prison. I write to share fact-based information about my ordeal and my perspective.

A few days ago, like many of you, I drove through central Monrovia. Needing fuel, I stopped at the Conex/Total Gas Station on Capitol Bypass. After refueling, I found myself unable to proceed due to congestion caused by police handling of peaceful protesters near the Capitol Building.

As I stood by the gas station, contemplating whether to remain, visit friends in Jallah’s Town, or wait out the traffic, my thoughts were abruptly interrupted. Police officers jumped out of a pickup truck, and I heard someone shout, “There he is.” Suddenly, I was attacked. Gun butts—many of them—were used to subdue me, despite my lack of resistance. I was thrown into the back of the pickup truck, treated without dignity, as though I were a common criminal.

Let it be clear: I carried no placard, held no marker, and had no poster. I was not leading or following any protestors. I was merely standing as a Liberian citizen in my nation’s capital, observing others exercise their constitutional rights.

At the Liberia National Police (LNP) Headquarters, the treatment worsened. Instead of investigating or taking my statement, their primary interest was photographing me in handcuffs. I was taken to the basement and denied even the dignity of sitting on a bench. A PSU officer threatened me, brandished his gun, and referred to himself as an “old rebel.” Only the protests of other detainees prevented him from escalating his abuse.

At around 3 PM, I was taken to Criminal Court “C,” where charges were read hastily in a process lasting no more than nine minutes. No opportunity was provided to contact a lawyer until one kindly volunteered upon noticing the situation. Afterward, I was transferred to Monrovia Central Prison at South Beach.

At the prison, I was placed in Block “D” in a tiny cell shared with eight other individuals. Despite the prison’s stated visitation schedule, I was denied visitors. On one particularly alarming night, plainclothes men descended on the cell block, claiming to be looking for me. Fellow inmates loudly protested, warning, “We will not allow you to do to him what you did to the Guinea man.” I still do not know who the Guinea man is or what happened to him, but the commotion caused the men to leave.

I spent another night in the prison before being released through the efforts of my legal team, led by Cllr. James Kumeh.

As you know, I was not protesting when I was arrested. But upon reflection, I deeply regret that I was not protesting.

Our nation is drowning in injustice. Hundreds of Liberians have been stripped of their livelihoods for no reason other than political vendettas. Public officials with tenure, backed by Supreme Court rulings, have been forcibly removed from office. Targeted persecution, particularly against those from specific regions or associated with the previous government, is rampant.

Liberians did not wish for a divided nation. In last year’s elections, they voted for unity. While a narrow 1% margin gave the Presidency to the Unity Party, voters balanced this with 25 CDC seats in the House of Representatives, compared to 11 for the Unity Party. They sought collaboration. Yet what we now face is an insurrection led by President Boakai, who seeks to impose by force what the people denied him at the ballot box.

For the first time in our history, armed police have occupied the Capitol Building, preventing elected representatives from carrying out their duties. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, President Boakai appears determined to recreate a one-party state, where the other branches of government operate as mere extensions of his will.

This is not the time for polite speeches or muted appeals to both sides. You cannot ask someone being oppressed to accept their suffering for the sake of peace. The miscarriage of justice we are witnessing will inevitably lead to chaos.

Although I regret not protesting on what I now call “Dark Tuesday,” let me be clear: I owe this government a protest, and as a responsible believer in democracy, I will deliver it.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
Sekou Kalasco Jomanday

Tags: Sekou Kalasco Jomanday
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