MONROVIA, Montserrado – Liberia’s Defense Minister Brownie Samukai has assured Liberians of total peace after the drawdown of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

Samukai made those statements following the UN Security Council authorizing the resumed drawdown for UNMIL, which had been suspended since Sept. 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak.

Samukai said the Government of Liberia is putting into place all the necessary mechanisms to ensure that the country remains safe today and in the future.

The Liberian Defense Minister noted that it is necessary for citizens of any country to criticize their governments to show some responsibilities, adding “Liberians are beginning to handle things on their own.”

“There will never be a repeat of April 14, taking into consideration the [gains] made so far in the country,” said Samukai.

On April 14, 1979 about 2,000 activists began a peaceful march on the Executive Mansion after the Minister of Agriculture at the time, Florence mobile casino Chenoweth, proposed an increase in the subsidized price of rice from US $22 per 100-pound bag to US$26.

The initially peaceful protest quickly turned into a riot with widespread looting leading to damages estimated to have exceeded US$40 million. At least 40 civilians were killed when Guinean troops were asked to intervene.

The events of April 14 were the precursor to the coup d’état against former President Tolbert”s regime and the following two civil wars over a 14-year period.

Samukai said Liberians were not willing to revert to the senseless civil upheavals of the past.

Of late, several disturbances involving motorcyclists setting ablaze vehicles and police depots have raised concerns about Liberia”s security sector”s ability to maintain order when UNMIL leaves.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2215 on March 15 authorizing the drawdown’s third phase – reducing military and police personnel to no more than 3,590 and 1,515 by September 2015, respectively.

The Council expects the Government of Liberia to assume full responsibility for its security by June 30, 2016.

Featured image courtesy of  Zeze Ballah