GBARNGA – Amid escalating tensions and a leadership crisis among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Bong County District-3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole has issued a stark warning, declaring that the opposition will not back down from engaging in war if the government of President Joseph Boakai pushes the country toward conflict.
In a fiery press conference held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Gbarnga, Rep. Cole accused President Boakai, Bong County Senator Prince Moye, and other high-ranking members of the Unity Party government of instigating the current deadlock in the Liberian Legislature. The outspoken lawmaker did not hold back, calling out the president and his allies for their alleged role in creating the political standoff.
Rep. Cole emphasized that the opposition, particularly the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and its allies, would not tolerate what he described as efforts to silence their voices. The Congressman specifically pointed fingers at President Boakai, Senator Moye, and other Unity Party figures, accusing them of “witch-hunting” opposition leaders like himself, embattled House Speaker Fonati Koffa, and other prominent CDC members.
“These leaders are pushing us to a breaking point. Liberia could be on the verge of a dangerous explosion if they continue on this path. The actions of President Boakai and Senator Moye are leading us toward dark days, and we cannot allow that,” Rep. Cole said during the press conference.
He further warned that the political crisis was creating a volatile situation in the country that could lead to a return to violent conflict. “If you push the serpent to the wall, it will bite back. The time is now for President Boakai to rein in his surrogates and respect the rule of law. If they continue disregarding this, we will resist them,” he added.
Rep. Cole also reminded the public that members of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), a former coalition partner in the previous CDC government, were unafraid to engage in conflict. He pointed to their past experiences with war and stated that the NPP would not be intimidated by threats of violence.
“The way they are behaving, we are sitting on a time bomb in this country. If this government wants peace, we will give them peace. If they want war, we will give them war. We, the members of the NPP, have lived through war. We have participated in it and are not afraid of it,” Rep. Cole concluded emphatically.
His statements come as many Liberians are growing increasingly anxious about the country’s future. The ongoing economic challenges, compounded by the political crisis, have left citizens fearful of the potential for further instability.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cole’s comments, according to some political analysts on Facebook, underline the severity of the country’s political situation. They pointed out that the growing divisions between the government and the opposition have sparked concerns about the country’s fragile peace.
By: Matalay Kollie / Correspondent
