It appears that the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has rescinded its decision over its 'planned street protests' in Monrovia and its environs. The CDC's move to abandon its 'planned street protests' comes on the heels of mounting public calls for the party to do so for the sake of peace and tranquility.
It could be recalled that recently, media reports attributed to the standard bearer of the CDC, Cllr. Winston A. Tubman, said the CDC was poised to carry out series of protests in Monrovia and its environs against the presidential elections, which were won by incumbent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the ruling Unity Party (UP). Tubman's CDC had alleged that the elections were rigged, an allegation the National Elections Commission (NEC)-the body legally clothed with the authority to conduct elections in the country, categorically rejected.
Relevant Links
Both local and international observers have since rated the elections free, fair and transparent. Accordingly, the allegation by the CDC that the elections were rigged has so far remained unsubstantiated. The CDC first partisan reported assertions that the party was poised to carry out more demonstrations followed what the party called peaceful march in the principal streets of Monrovia of 10 symbolic caskets in commemoration of 10 persons the CDC said died during the November 7, 2011 violence at the CDC's headquarters in Congo Town, outside Monrovia involving hundreds of "CDCians" and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP). But the CDC's account of 10 deaths has not been independently verified by this paper.
The CDC's apparent change of gear regarding its reported planned street protests is manifested in a statement issued by the party Executive Committee (EC) over the weekend in Monrovia.
The EC, according to the by-laws and constitution of the CDC, is the highest decision making body of the party (CDC).
According to the press release, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, the CDC said
It is not aware of any 'planned street protests' as it is being circulated in the media and some quarters of the society.
The EC claimed that the 'planned street protests' are ideas of some members of the CDC along with some "infiltrators" and "detractors" of the party (CDC).
The EC pointed out in the statement that those street protests have the propensity to destroy the true image of the party, as well as threaten the safety of innocent, unsuspecting partisans and other peaceful citizens and foreign partners.
"We wish to make it crystal clear that the Executive Committee is not aware of any planned street protests. We therefore call on all CDCians to remain calm and stay at home, or go on their normal daily routines," the EC statement pointed out.
Said the statement: "The planned street protests are unnecessary untimely and unauthorized and that anyone getting in the streets in the form of protest will be doing that on their own and not in the name of the CDC.
The EC also called on all partisans of the CDC to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the party (CDC) engages the government and international partners for peaceful and lasting resolution of issues emanating from the elections and the November 7, 2011 incidence at the CDC's headquarters.
"Additionally, all elected Representatives and Senators on the tickets of the CDC are reminded to attend the certification ceremonies at the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Monday, November 28, 2011. We also ask them to get prepared for full participation in the forthcoming inauguration ceremonies in January 2011," the EC's statement added.
Comments Post a comment
CDC has been wasting their (and the Liberian people's) time all this time. How long did it take them to get it? When the international community is against you, you are done. The whole world knows that the election was free and fair, but CDC didn't get it and wanted to cease power by either hook or crook, but nothing is working for them. So they have no option but to give in and give up.