Opposition political parties in Liberia vowed to go ahead with the June 7 ‘Save the State’ demonstrations during a meeting of the council of patriot, on Tuesday, reported Africa News.
The call is to demand that President Weah resign or find a solution to the appalling economic situation of the country.
“On June 7, we will present our demands to you,” said Abraham Darius Dillon, designated spokesperson for the protest and Vice Chairman for Political Affairs of the Liberty Party, during a meeting, requested by President George Manneh Weah, in the presence of representatives of ECOWAS, the United Nations and religious leaders.
In the presence of Mr. Yacoub El Hillo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia and Ambassador Babatunde Olanrewaju Ajisomo, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, at the meeting, the Liberian President called out the protest organizers to present their demands during the meeting, instead of going for a street demonstration.
“I thought the Patriot Front would express its concerns today, but they say they will do so on the day of the demonstration,” President Weah said. “This is their right, but for me, these demands could have been put on the table during this dialogue rather than during a street demonstration.”
Mr. Weah said the government could be forced to cough out millions to contain their protests. He added that a gathering of protesters now would only bring more hardship on struggling Liberians feeling the pinch of a dismal economy. However, he said his administration will ensure that the protest is guarded peacefully.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dillon rejected any intention to disrupt the peace in Liberia and explained that a dialogue would be possible if an audit report on the conduct in 2018 of a controversial monetary operation to inject US$25 million into the economy gets published.
Last week, Weah said that the report would be made public soon.
