TINA S. MEHNPAINE
Africa-Press – Liberia. The Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, has announced the preparedness of the “joint security” to use “reasonable and proportionate force” to quell any acts of violence going forward.
The Minister’s declaration comes amidst growing cases of election-related violence that have caught the country’s security apparatus unaware, leaving behind a trail of destruction, and deaths.
“We caution members of the public not to test the resolve of the Joint Security,” Dean said at a press conference yesterday while providing an update on the Foya electoral violence case. “Any attempt by anyone to disrupt the peace will be met with the full force of the law.”
“The Joint Security shall be robust and prepared to do any and everything legally permissible to protect the peace. Reasonable and proportionate force shall be used where required. Those who elect to test the resolve of the Joint Security will be doing so at their own peril,” he added.
The Minister’s comments follow the electoral violence incident that took place on Friday, September 29 in the Foya District, Lofa County, resulting in the loss of lives and prompted a wave of condemnations from Liberians and international partners.
The incident, which unfolded with horrifying scenes that went viral on social media, pitted supporters of President Weah against those of former Vice President Joseph Boakai — marking it one of the three recorded instances of electoral violence between the two politicians’ supporters since the official opening of the political campaign season in August.
The confrontations between supporters of Weah and Boakai are a violation of the ‘Farmington Peace Accord,’ which frowns on activities of election-related violence.
Even though both presidential candidates have condemned such acts of violence in the past, they have been able to exert control of their respective supporters to protect the sanctity of the Farmington Accord, which they signed and promised to uphold.
The Minister of Justice, who is also chair of the Liberian joint security, has, however, warned that while they are “willing to work with the public in preserving the peace,” anyone or group thinking “otherwise must reconsider”, as they would meet the full force of the law.
“We urge those having grievances regarding the conduct of the elections to direct their grievances to the appropriate court of law, and not seek to settle them in the streets. Under our law, an aggrieved individual cannot be a plaintiff, judge, jury or executioner.
“In the event the police and other law enforcement officers are overwhelmed, the military will be called to quell any situation of unrest,” Dean said.
The Minister added that the Joint Security has been able to establish that the clash occurred “between individuals identified” as supporters of Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change and that of Boakai’s Unity Party.
According to Dean, the Ministry of Justice will pursue the prosecution of all those who will be found culpable of instigating and participating in the Foya violence, which was horrifying.
“People must be made to understand that when they break the law, they will be held accountable,” he said. Those found culpable shall face the full weight of the law. We [therefore] continue to caution against incendiary, inciting, and violent rhetoric.
“Deliberate misinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate messages, extreme militancy both in dress code and deportment by some of the young people in political parties, continue to pose a deeply concerning challenge. Those who incite violence are as guilty as those who commit the actual acts of violence,” Dean noted.
Meanwhile, the Minister has disclosed that the country’s Joint Security apparatus has begun the deployment of law enforcement officers throughout the fifteen counties of Liberia, ahead of the October 10 polls.
The officers being deployed, Dean noted, are led by the Liberia National Police, in addition to those “already stationed in the counties.”
“We wish to assure everyone of adequate security. We provided security during the voters’ registration exercise. We are currently providing security to presidential candidates and to campaign rallies to ensure that candidates campaign freely.
“On election day, the Joint Security shall guarantee the security and safety of members of the National Elections Commission, election workers, voters, precincts, election materials and the general public,” Dean said in assurance to Liberians.
The Liberia National Police, representing the Joint Security, the Minister noted, has undertaken a great deal of community policing for a violence free elections and would continue to do so.
“We call on all peace-loving citizens to join us in denouncing this evil and wicked act perpetrated by criminals,” Dean added. “Violence has no place in our democracy and elections must present a peaceful process by which citizens choose their leaders.”
The joint security team, which Dean heads, comprises the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Immigration Service, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Ministry of Justice, the Police Support Unit, and the Armed Forces of Liberia.
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