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Liberia: Human Rights Activist gives President Sirleaf Ninety Days ultimatum to vacate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
May 18, 2008
Michael Kpayili
Human Rights Activist Melvin Page has given President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ninety days to vacate the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and return to the Executive Mansion. Mr. Page said the continuous absence of the Liberian Leader out of the official resident of the President of Liberia signal wrong judgment to both domestic and foreign partners.
He said since the fire incident at the Mansion, the President and her Government continue to ignore the renovation of the Mansion thereby giving lips service to the renovation of the State House.
The Executive Mansion gutted fire almost two years ago during the 159th Independence Day celebration. The Government of Liberia is yet to decide the fate of the Executive Mansion which stands beneath the Temple of Justice and the Capitol Building. The Capitol Building has since been renovated by the United States Government while the Temple of Justice is currently undergoing renovation on its major facilities.
Speaking to cross-section of Journalists at his Ashmun Street office in Monrovia, Mr. Page frowned at the Minister of Justice Cllr. Philip Banks for what he termed as deteriorating statement against the Judiciary branch of Government. He then called for the immediate resignation of Justice Minister Philip Banks for statement that meant to undermine the Judiciary branch of Government. Mr. Page particularly emphasized on recent statement made by Justice Minister Philip Banks after Judge Peter Gbonewleh brought down non-guilty verdict in favor of two former AFL officials charged with treason.
Justice Minister Banks is recorded as saying Judge Peter Gbonewleh ruling was marked by “sure of incompetence”. Mr. Page also recommended an explanation from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf over her response to the non-guilty verdict passed by the Judge of Criminal Court A. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is recorded as saying “neither do I condemned you but go and sin no more”. The statement Mr. Page termed as President Sirleaf dissatisfaction over Judge Gbonewleh ruling.
It is not clear whether the Ninety days ultimatum will yield positive fruit or not but Mr. Page has given many ultimatums with no genuine and critical actions. Ordinary citizens have viewed Mr. Page statement as appropriate but it implementation surrounds a toothless bulldog.
Mr. Page has threatened to take legal actions against the Liberian Government if his ultimatum is not yielded to.
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