MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Liberian Senate has called the heads of national security institutions in the country to address concerns of recent reports of electoral violence.
The Senate made the decision on Tuesday, following separate communications from the newly inducted Montserrado senator Darius Dillon, Grand Bassa’s Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, and River Gee’s Senator Conmany Wesseh.
The senators had called on their colleagues to support the appearance of all heads of national security institutions to address concerns relative to the “growing waves of violence†in the country.
The communications made specific reference to the recent violent incident in Montserrado’s 15th district, where opposition candidate Telia Urey and her supporters were reportedly attacked. The incident also led to the damage of Urey’s vehicle.
Another incident mentioned was the recent violence at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission between supporters of Urey and the supporters of the candidate of the Coalition for Democratic Change in the 15th district representative by-election.
The senators’ request was overwhelmingly endorsed by their colleagues during Tuesday’s regular session.
Other senators also called for a proactive step to be taken to curb the wave of violence, which they said were counterproductive to the peace and stability of the country.
“As the House of Elders, we need to take urgent actions in order to restore public confidence, especially the respect for the rule of law,†an unidentified senator was heard saying.
After minutes of deliberations among members of the Senate, Grand Kru’s Senator Peter Coleman raised a motion to grant the request to invite the heads of national security institutions. The senators overwhelmingly voted in favor of the motion.
Meanwhile, the minister of justice, the police inspector general, and the heads of the Liberia Immigration Service, National Security Agency, and the Drugs Enforcement Agency have been mandated to appear before the general body of the senate on Thursday, August 22 or risk being held for contempt.
Featured photo by Zeze Ballah
