Monrovia, June 6 (LINA) – President George Weah has erected a checkpoint of civility in the face of a seeming socially volatile situation in the country, birthed by extreme politicking coupled with invectives to the Office of the President who assumed power about 17 months ago.
The President said moving forward, as the current fragile situation fades away, “there will absolutely be no-one in the country, no citizen— “and I challenge you”— who will ever insult the President and will walk in the streets as a free person.
He was speaking to thousands residents in the Du Port Road Community in Paynesville on Thursday, when he cut the ribbon to a modern US$244,000 market building constructed in fulfillment of his promise to marketers in 2017, whether or not he was elected President.
Further warning persons who may want to be uncivil and unruly in engaging (national) discourses, Pres. Weah said: “If you have grievances, the best way will be to channel them through the appropriate and honorable means.”
The Chief Executive said if anyone has a view let them express it orderly, and further sounded a caveat: “But any insults or threats from any citizen means that citizen will be dealt with under the laws of Liberia – and it could be whosoever.”
“I don’t know if this message is going across this country; just in case you are not hearing me, ask your friend: what did the President say?” Dr. Weah sternly warned.
For the sake of the country, he said, all Liberians should remain peaceful as there was no need for a Liberian to attack another Liberian.
Moreover, that Liberian leader cautioned his compatriots, saying: “I advise you all, citizens, to be conscious enough. You have your freedom of speech, but you also have the responsibility to ensure that such freedom is exercised in a peaceful way.”
The President stated that in the history of Liberia, he took the step, as a leader, to sign a law promoting freedom of expression and of the press, and will continue to promote such democratic value, though he emphasized that every right comes with responsibility.
He observed that some people in society, who had abused others’ rights in the past, are the ones now purporting to be human rights advocates and spieling comments that may be harmful to the overall image of the country and at the same time inciting violence and insulting everyone.
