By Jackie L.Dennis
Monrovia- The head of the Joint Security and Attorney General of Liberia Cllr. Frank Musa Dean has warned that any attempt by anyone to disrupt the peace will be met with the full force of the law.
Cllr. Dean said the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), as part of the Joint Security, remains available in the ongoing effort to guarantee peaceful elections. In the event the police and other law enforcement officers are overwhelmed, the military will be called to quell any situation of unrest.
Minister Dean, on Monday, October 2, 2023, addressed the media at the Liberia Nation Police Headquarters in Monrovia, and condemned, in the strongest terms, the violence that occurred on Friday, September 29, 2023, in Foya, Lofa County.
He said preliminary investigation has confirmed that the violence, which led to two deaths, the wounding of several persons, and vandalism, was the result of clashes between individuals identified as supporters of the Congress for
Democratic Change and the Unity Party.
He noted that the law enforcement’s willingness to work with the public in preserving the peace, no one has a right to disrupt the peace. Anyone or group thinking otherwise must reconsider.
According to the Minister, the 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.
He added, that those who elect to test the resolve of the Joint Security will be doing so at their peril.
“The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), during the period of these elections,
has been ordered to heighten security to ensure that our territorial borders
and boundaries remain safe and secure “He maintained.
He claimed, that the Liberia National Police, representing the Joint Security, has undertaken a great deal of community policing, explaining to people the need to avoid violence during these elections.
Minister Dean, 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
plaintive, judge, jury, and executioner.
Law enforcement is prepared and willing to work with members of the
public in preserving the peace” he Noted.
