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.
