Philipbert Browne, the publisher of the Hot Pepper Newspaper and a "media confidant" of President Weah, has apologized for a tumultuous post on October 2, in which he stated that "blood will be on our streets," regardless of the outcome of the October 10 polls, and that no one will accept the results.
"National security supersedes all else," Browne posted on his Facebook page on Friday, October 20. "Mr. Minister of Justice, Mr. Minister of Defense, Mr. Chief of Staff, and the gallant men and women of the Army, my apology."
Browne, who also claims that he and President Weah "are related," has used his newspaper to promote and defend the administration. On October 2, his post predicting "bloodshed" raised public concerns, evoking a barrage of public criticism.
"There will be blood on our streets; parents should purchase dry goods, water, and medication before the October 10th elections. Regardless, no one will accept the poll results," Browne wrote on his Facebook page on October 2.
With more than 7,000 followers on his Facebook account, Browne's post, and subsequent posts reiterating his point, went viral, generating hundreds of reactions, comments, and shares.
Despite the widespread criticisms, Browne was unapologetic about his post. "I don't drink liquor, and I have never taken drugs. I am in the soundest of mind. What I have spoken, I have spoken. If you think in your childish political game, then think again."
"To be forewarned is to be forearmed: Pretty soon, you might not come out of your house or neighborhood. Store dry goods and water now. Tomorrow is not promised."
"Hard head got soft butt," Browne said. "Stay out of the streets, avoid political rallies, buy food. The child that does not hear, that child will feel."
He told the Daily Observer in a phone interview that he was simply trying to warn the public to be prepared, given the dangerous trend of events and tension in the air.
Browne's apologetic post comes after the owner of Freedom FM, Sam Saryon, Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), reported that he was arrested and humiliated by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) for a broadcast that was aired, in which Abraham Wheon, Freedom's station manager, accused the AFL Chief of Staff of inciting soldiers against President Weah's re-election campaign.
"I was arrested and humiliated by the Armed Forces of Liberia. I was taken to a room where the Minister of Justice was seated and made to listen to a recording of a Freedom FM broadcast in which Abraham Wheon allegedly made some comments against the army. I was told to have the station retract the broadcast, but I refused on the grounds that I was disrespected and humiliated. I was stripped of my clothes and shoes and told them I could not act under duress. I feel so humiliated and disturbed," Saryon said.
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AFL Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Prince Charles Johnson, III, rubbished Saryon's claims, attesting that the meeting was held at the Ministry of Justice, in the presence of the Justice Minister and the head of Liberia's Joint Security, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean.
Wheon has since retracted his comments, stating reasons why he made the accusation.
"I would like to use this opportunity to first dispel the thought that whatever information disclosed during any of my shows is sourced by Mr. Sam Saryon, Deputy NSA boss, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Communications Incorporated. However, there have been growing concerns about my recent broadcast relating to the Chief of Staff of the AFL, Gen. Prince C. Johnson III.
"In the broadcast, I stated that owing to circumstantial incidents, including the COS audio damning the government's tuition-free action, revealing that people advised him to stage a military takeover due to the President's prolonged stay out of the country and the recent post from Eugene Fagohn that the COS walked out of the joint security meeting, it was presumed that he was a partisan personnel and that the military was divided. I sincerely retract this statement and apologize for any embarrassment it may have caused to the integrity of the COS and the military. I also take keen note of and respect the press statement released by the Press Union of Liberia on this matter."
