[By: Pewu Y. Sumo]
MONROVIA – Following two highly publicized protests by the civil society group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), Chairman Mulbah Morlu has issued a defiant warning to the government of President Joseph Boakai.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, December 26, the STAND Chairman signaled a departure from overt public demonstrations. He accused the government of stifling democratic freedoms and creating an “impassable” environment for the exercise of the right to assemble.
“Since President Boakai will not listen to the quest of the people, making it impassable for the need of freedom of assembly to be exercised, moving into the future, we will remain very functionally active,” Morlu stated.
The STAND Chairman vowed that the group would “go underground” to mobilize “radical forces” to fearlessly confront what he termed the “failed policy of President Boakai,” asserting, “We will not be intimidated by the climate of fear.”
“Don’t be afraid; President Boakai and his police cannot do anything to us,” Morlu said regarding his new methodology. He further warned: “We will not retreat nor surrender. We will fight until this country is resurrected from this creeping dictatorship.”
Morlu’s statement, released just a day after Christmas, has the propensity to heighten tensions in Monrovia following two previous demonstrations that critics labeled as failed attempts. While the government maintains it is simply upholding the rule of law and public order, Morlu and his supporters argue that state actions constitute a tactical suppression of dissent.
There has been no formal response from the government regarding Morlu’s “underground mobilization” comments. However, the shift in rhetoric has raised concerns regarding public safety during the nationwide holiday festivities.
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