GBARNGA, Bong – Gbarnga Mayor Josiah Marvin Cole has acknowledged his dismissal by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Cole confirmed his dismissal in an interview with a local radio station, Radio Gbarnga, on Tuesday.

“I have received an information from the deputy minister for administration of internal affairs, Varney Sirleaf, that I am dismissed,” Cole said.

Cole said that while he has not yet officially received the dismissal letter, he was on his way to Monrovia from Gbarnga to obtain it.

Cole noted that although dismissals are within the powers of the president, he believes his own dismissal was masterminded by leaders of the county who have misunderstood his good intentions.

In the meantime, he promised to reveal the names of those he claims are behind his dismissal in a press conference on Thursday in Gbarnga.

Cole called on citizens and residents of Gbarnga who are unhappy about his dismissal to remain calm and refrain from all forms of protests and demonstrations in the city.

He said the development of the city was beyond himself and all other citizens, and there was no need for disappointed citizens to disturb the peace of the city.

Asked about his emotions following his release, Cole explained, “My disappointment is not my dismissal. My disappointment is that we have started a process to develop Gbarnga and that process will not be continued.”

Youth protest Cole’s dismissal. Photo: Moses Bailey

Meanwhile, residents have expressed mixed views over Cole’s dismissal. There have been exchanges on social media, local radio stations, and intellectual centers, but some young people have taken to the streets, riding motorcycles paraded with placards in support of Cole.

Young people chanting the slogan, “We want Marvin Cole, we want Marvin Cole,” told our reporter that their actions were peaceful, with the intention of getting the president to reinstate Cole.

They noted that Cole has, in a short period, transformed the outlook of Gbarnga and they were disappointed to see him leave in the way that he did.

On the other hand, a group of residents of Gbarnga claiming to be victims the recent demolition exercise has been holding a series of meetings.

The group’s spokesperson, Isaac R. Holder, said their meetings are meant to discuss and find amicable solutions to rebuild their demolished structures.

Isaac R. Holder, a leader of residents who say they are victims of the recent demolitions. Photo: Moses Bailey

“As I speak to you, we just prepared a letter for the Disaster Management Committee at the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help us with building materials and relief items,” Holder said in an interview on Tuesday.

He said although members of the group were victimized by the demolition, they are happy for the decision of the president to dismiss Cole.

Featured photo by Moses Bailey