Three Months in Advance; George Weah's CDC Requests Marching Permit

Main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has requested from the Ministry of Justice a permit to march through the principal streets of Monrovia on big up-coming CDC holiday.

In a February 25 communication addressed to Justice Minister Christiana Tah, the CDC of soccer star-turned-peacebuilder George Weah said it wishes to request a permit to march on June 1, 2013, at least three months in advance. The parade, according to the party, will form an integral part of programs marking the celebration of its 8th anniversary.

“On June 1, 2013, our partisans will gather in different groups and parade some streets in Monrovia and assemble at the SKD sports complex. The CDC also expects partisans from the 15 political sub division of our beloved country,” the communication signed by Nathaniel F. McGill, CDC National Secretary General, said.

The party has requested the Justice Ministry to provide the necessary security protection for its partisans, well wishers and sympathizers who are expected to grace the occasion. The CDC has since called on its partisans, to remain peaceful and law-abiding and has expressed willingness to discuss with the Ministry the itinerary (route, circuit) of its parade.

It may be recalled that a tussle developed between government and CDC over the past plans to take to the streets on November 7, 2012 in memory of the November 7, 2011 election-violence in which at least one loss of life was officially recorded. The scuffle between the two parties stemmed from a request---or the lack thereof---for a permit for a program the party had planned: CDC claimed it requested a permit, but government bitterly differed with the party.

Therefore, on October 25, 2012, the Ministry of Justice warned officials and partisans of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) against taking to the streets on November 7, 2012, as it did a year ago. The opposition political party hoped to march through the streets of Monrovia

But, instead of simply requesting a permit, the main opposition party preferred to request what it called “an urgent joint-meeting between the Ministry of Justice and the Liberian National Police to map out a strategy that will ensure the success of our Memorial Day program.”

Deputy Justice Minister for Administration and Public Safety, Freddie Taylor, Jr. lost no time in responding to the suggestions put forward by the CDC regarding their plans for a “mass Memorial Day service – in solemnity (quietude).”  In his response to the executives of CDC, he informed the Party that it had not requested a permit to parade the streets of Monrovia on November 7.

The CDC’s letter was been interpreted by some from the legal profession as having presented the authorities a fait accompli, (an accomplished fact, a thing already done: and presumably irreversible) without having squarely raised the matter of the issuance of a permit

It read: “The CDC invites the Liberia National Police through the justice ministry to regulate the movement of all individuals on that day, to equally ensure the smooth and orderly use of public space by all persons, in keeping with ‘equal protection of all citizens.’ ” 

The party went one step farther to call for a ‘joint’ press conference between CDCians and the justice authorities concerning the planned march and ramifications (follow-up, effects) for peace and security during the service and after.

But Min. Taylor still reiterated that the Ministry of Justice has not received a permit request from the CDC, leaving open the door for a possible permit to be granted, dependant on a direct request for such and the decision to do so.

This time around, the CDC seems to be trying a new tact which suggests that the party might be considering changing its techniques and strategies for the better; and for the future of itself---and the country.