By Pewu Y. Sumo
Monrovia, Liberia: — The Student Unification Party (SUP) has denounced in the strongest term the excessive force used by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) during the April 14, March for Jobs and Justice in Monrovia.
In a medical update on members who got affected by the police used of force, SUP Chairman Odecious Mulbah issued a harrowing medical update regarding Fatumata Cisse, Secretary-General of the party’s Women’s Presidium, stating that she is currently battling severe health complications including suspected internal bleeding following her encounter with the state security.
Chairman Mulbah detailed a series of traumatic events allegedly inflicted upon Ms. Cisse during the April 14 demonstration.
According to the party’s Chairman, Cisse was reportedly dragged on the ground by two officers, stripped naked, and “thrown into a pickup like an animal.”
Mulbah claims the assault continued while she was being transported to the LNP Headquarters and throughout her time in detention, an information The Informer Newspaper could not independently verify.
A photo of the student leader lying on a hospital bed has since flooded social media with many believing that she may be suffering severe abdominal and neck pain. According to a statement from the party, she is currently experiencing internal bleeding and have been recommended for advanced medical checkups and trauma treatment.
SUP Demands “Justice for Fatumata”
The statement from the University of Liberia’s oldest student movement condemned the police’s actions as a “violent behavior” that has no place in a democratic society.
“Violence against women is unacceptable,” Mulbah stated, while calling on women-led groups, civil society organizations, and the Liberian diaspora to join a national campaign for accountability. The party has launched the hashtags #JusticeForFatumata and #JusticeForOurComrades to mobilize public support.
Growing Pattern of Excessive Force
The allegations come amid a week of intense scrutiny for the LNP. Reports from the April 14 protest indicate that what began as a peaceful march to deliver a petition to the U.S. Embassy escalated when police deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds.
While the LNP has previously stated its mission is to maintain public order and national stability, it has yet to provide a detailed response to the specific allegations of sexualized violence and physical torture raised by the SUP leadership regarding Ms. Cisse.
“We call on all well-meaning Liberians to help us demand justice for this courageous young woman.” — Odecious Mulbah, SUP Chairman is quoted as saying.
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