Boakai M Fofana
20 February 2008
Monrovia — Amid threats of major demonstrations when the American president arrives in Monrovia Thursday, police have warned that protests will be against the law.
Police Inspector-General Beatrice M. Sieh says no permit has been issued by the justice ministry for any protests during the visit of President George W. Bush.
Prominent among the groups wanting to stage what they say will be a peaceful demonstration is the Forum for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia, which has been calling for a court since President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf assumed power in 2006.
The group's leader, Mulbah Morlu, argues that a number of people in Liberia have committed heinous atrocities and should not be allowed to get away with it. He says Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not the best option for the country.
He has disregarded the police warning, saying on a local radio program on Wednesday morning that the forum had secured the consent of the U.S. Embassy and the justice ministry to the protest. He said it would be held at the University of Liberia, one of the stops on President Bush's visit.
The forum also made an attempt to demonstrate during a visit by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. During that visit, members of the group carried coffins to dramatize the deaths of those they say who died at the hands of alleged war criminals.
There are mixed opinions in Liberia about the group. Many believe they are being promoted by some politicians, while others think they have a case. Mr. Morlu is a former member of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) of soccer legend George Weah.
Many other Liberians are preparing to welcome President Bush and his party. A music CD entitled "President Bush Welcome" was launched on Tuesday. The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), the umbrella organization for the country's youth groups, has called on young people to gather in their thousands to welcome the president.
The mood is festive, with Liberian and American flags being hoisted at street corners. The similarities in the flags – both are red, white and blue – and the historical ties between the two countries lead many Liberians to say we are sister nations, which has raised high expectations of the visit.
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I do not fully understand the complete mind set of Liberian people, Although my best friend is Liberian. He came to America from a visa lottery. I greeted his family into our neighborhood and we have become brothers in the Lord Jesus. He has told me great and horrifying stories of the civil war , rebels , running and living under rebel rule. He has come to America to get financially able to come back and help his people and the government rebuild. God has put us together and we are believing God for a miracle to get us there to take back what the devil has destroyed. I ask for your prayers, your call has been heard by God and he is answering, not as fast as we (you and us) would like. STOP THE VIOLENCE, BECOME UNITED IN ONE ACCORD, UNITY MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. LOVE NEVER FAILS. I UNDERSTAND MOST PEOPLE YOU SEE THAT SAY THEY COME TO HELP, ONLY HELP THEMSELVES BECOME RICH AND LEAVE YOU AS YOU WERE AND WORSE. I too would be angry ,but pray, love, come together. We cannot fight this battle inour own strength, we must unite in prayer first, then in body. If you know of corruption report it, rebellion report it. Your President is a wonderful honest leader sent to you by God! believe in her and trust. I beg you all as a friend of God who is waiting to come and help your people pray and forgive and we can destroy this evil that has come aginst your fine country and GREAT PEOPLE. We cannot have violence and expect peace. I know you are hungry, need clothing shelter and water and more. I know the money is mostly in the wrong hands.(FOREIGN AND LOCAL BUSINESSMAN) My brother and best friend beliveing God to send us to you soon. Just like Jesus said if you are not for me you are against me. Same with the people who come to you and say they will help and only take. You will know a tree by its fruit. I have done a lot of research since i beccame friends with Jomo ,on Liberia, I have not seen much of any business men at all have a true interest in helping the Liberian people, only helping themselves. PLEASE PRAY GOD WILL SEND US SOON, HE HAS GIVEN US VISION TO HELP BUILD YOUR COUNTRY AND PROVIDE ALL THAT WE HAVE HERE , SO YOU HAVE THE SAME AND BETTER OVER THERE . YOUR HELP COMES FROM GOD, THEN MAN SO PRAY TO HIM AND HE WILL SEND YOU HELP. My name is Steven , call me FRIEND OF GOD, and my brother in the LORD is Jomo.
I think Liberia is beginning to show signs of becoming a truely democratic nation. For this reason, I call on our brothers and sisters in the Police, especially the Police Leadership to not forget that our emerging nation will not begin to show signs of becoming a Police-directed state. In fact, the Police is there to safeguard, strengthen and protect our young democracy, not to usurp it with threats and whatnot. As a Liberian, free to express my ideas, I will caution our vibrant police to please understand a cause and in fact it back as long as it does not threaten public peace. Let the demonstrations be carried out in a peaceful manner. Let the people begin to feel they live truely in an emerging democratic nation.
Emmevek