By Festus Poquie
Monday clashes between police and supporters of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change at the country’s main airport left Political leader George Weah visibly disappointed, indicating he expected peaceful conduct from partisans.
The former President was away from the country when the headquarters of this political party was demolished in a controversial court order. Standoff greeted his return to Liberia at the Roberts International Airport where police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of CDC partisans who had gathered to welcome him.
“I watched television, and I see fighting. Why are we fighting? I put on my page that I’m coming back home, be civil, and make sure that there is no trouble because this country belongs to all of us. I don’t think it was necessary today,” he said.
“We don’t need to fight. We need peace in this country, because that is the only way we can move forward.
“Our mission is not to come and block the airport and have police fighting partisans.”
Early failings of the ruling Unity Party Alliance has emboldened Weah who was ousted from power in a narrowly contested elections in November 2023 to revive his political career and retake the presidency in 2029.
On Monday he vowed to rebuild the demolished headquarters of this Coalition for Democratic Change “in record time,” while sustaining the political battle against the Joseph Boakai-led UPA government.
“I’m glad to be back home to make sure that CDC gets its party headquarters back,” Weah told reporters.
“To all of my partisans, what happened to us, don’t worry. George Manneh Weah is here. We are going to restore and rebuild our party headquarters.
“We came and built a party for our people. We were able to do that and we are still able to sustain the political fight. So don’t worry—we are going to build our party headquarters in record time.”
