MONROVIA, Montserrado – The National Christian Task Force of Liberia, a group comprised of church organizations, is cautioning against the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, or UNMIL. The group says the departure on the eve of the 2017 elections does not bode well for Liberia.

Addressing a news conference, the group’s executive director, Pastor David Benitoe of the Bethel World Outreach Church, said it would be a disaster after thirteen years of UNMIL presence in the country.

“The Church is not in agreement with the withdrawal of UNMIL before the 2017 general and presidential elections,” Benitoe stated.

He said if UNMIL had left Liberia three years ago, Liberians would have had enough time to test the preparedness of the various security apparatuses.

Benitoe added that after the United Nations force departs, “Liberians cannot test the preparedness of these various security institutions during the electioneering period.”

“It does not make any sense for UNMIL to pull out of Liberia when there is violence all over the place as the country is nearing elections,” Benitoe said.

“We do not want to see situations where people will not be able to move around freely during the 2017 election period,” he added.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara echoed the same concerns of the church leaders on Jan. 18. During a three-day Joint Council of Chiefs and Elders Meeting held between Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire, Ouattara said he would ask the United Nations Secretary-General to extend UNMIL’s mandate beyond the elections.

Church leaders at the news conference. Photo: Zeze Ballah

In a related development, Benitoe cautioned Liberians against electing anyone who took part in the civil war.

He said if Liberians elect someone who is “cursed,” the nation would also be cursed because according to him, the individual would still have blood on their hands, having failed to repent.

“Liberia needs leaders who were not a part of the destruction of the nation,” Benitoe said.

He recalled that some of the Liberians who participated in the 14-year civil war and brutally murdered innocent Liberians have denied ever committing such atrocities at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.

On the other hand, Benitoe made specific references to a former combatant, Joshua Milton Blahyi, alias General Butt Naked. Blahyi admitted during the TRC hearings that he committed heinous atrocities and asked for forgiveness. Benitoe held him up as a “clear example of a God-fearing leader [that] Liberia needs.”

Blahyi was a commander of forces under the leadership of deceased Liberian warlord Roosevelt Johnson of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy, ULIMO. He has since converted to Christianity and become a preacher.

There are several individuals serving in the government who participated in the war, whether through providing financing or being direct combatants. Included among them is the prominent Nimba Senator Prince Johnson, who was filmed ordering the torture of former President Samuel Doe.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah