...Calls for Bryant's Resignation

The University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), says it will not permit National Transitional Government of Liberia's Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant to induct Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh as president of the university as he had vowed.

The UL faculty in a statement issued over the weekend and signed by its Acting Secretary General, J. Wil Mannie, Sr. said, in spite of its decision to peacefully negotiate with the National Transitional Legislative Assembly(NTLA), the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia, the Liberia Women Initiative(LWI) and other prominent citizens, the Chairman of the NTGL is still determined to impose at all cost, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh as president of the varsity.

The ULFA in its statement, expressed shock over the action of Chairman Bryant and therefore said it would not allow him to induct Dr. Conteh as he has vowed before his departure to the United States recently.

The faculty further said in the statement, a copy of which was served this paper, that they remain committed to maintaining the doors of the university open as promised, but pointed out that the issue relating to the disbursement of their salary checks for the months of August and September 2004 are yet to be addressed by the UL administration and the Board of Trustees.

The faculty added that they wanted their salaries paid as of Saturday October 2,2004 or else they will lay down their chalk today.

In a related development, the UL faculty has issued a statement calling for the resignation of the chairman of the NTGL.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the faculty said Chairman Bryant lacks the posture and character befitting a reconciler and a unifier as enshrined in the CPA.

The statement which was also signed by the Acting ULFA chief scribe, said Chairman Bryant has failed to develop a comprehensive program to address the socio-cultural, economic and the politically unfavorable conditions that beset the people of Liberia for the past 14 years.

The UL faculty among other things said that as a result of the above and many others, they feel that Chairman Bryant is inept in the implementation of the CPA, stressing that he is a dictator by nature.

They also alleged that chairman Bryant is insensitive to the plight of the Liberian people in their quest for peace, harmony and tranquility pointing out that his recent appointments in government especially local government officials are not being done in consultation with major stakeholders as required by the CPA.

The faculty accused the NTGL Chairman of providing conflicting information on the sale of the iron ore to the extent that the public is yet to believe him as a result of the conflicting reports.

In a related development, a student based group at the UL, the Progressive Youth for Peace, Reconciliation and reconstruction, is calling on the international community, UNMIL among others to urgently intervene in the issue surrounding the faculty's rejection of Dr. Hassan Conteh as the president of the University.

The student group said any attempt to have the university close, will be a serious impediment to the student populace. They urged all to put aside their personal agenda and pride and pursue peaceful settlement of the issue in the interest of the nation.