By Lincoln G. Peters
Renowned Liberian human rights lawyer and lone opposition political leader present at Liberia’s 178th Flag Day Celebration has blasted President Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, and the leadership of the National Legislature and key government officials who failed to honor and attend the National Flag Day Celebration, describing their action as a complete act of national carelessness.
In a quiet and low-key observance, Liberia celebrated its 178th National Flag Day at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia. The annual event, held under the theme “The Flag We Raise, The Values We Uphold,” honored the enduring symbolism of the Lone Star (flag of Liberia) and reflected on the country’s legacy of independence and unity.
Despite the historic significance of the day, President Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, House Speaker Richard N. Koon, and majority of lawmakers were notably absent from the ceremony. The low turnout of top officials cast a shadow over the national celebration.
Cllr. Gongloe was the only opposition leader and opinion stakeholder who was present in the hall from the beginning to the end of the program.
Disappointingly, only three cabinet members attended the program: Minister of Post and Telecommunications Seku Kanneh; Minister Mamaka Bility of the Ministry of State; and Minister of Justice N. Oswald Tweh, who served as a proxy for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Nonetheless, the event proceeded with participation from members of the diplomatic corps, high school students, and a few senior officials.
Cllr. Gongloe, responding in an exclusive interview with the New Dawn Newspaper following the ceremony, said that the absence of President Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, and the legislature is a complete national carelessness.
“Now, the issues about key government officials, especially the President and Vice President, and the leadership of the National Legislature not being present at the 178th Flag Day Celebration, is a complete sense of national carelessness because it was troubling. I saw the Minister of Defense, Justice, Post and Telecommunications. But many others should have been here today because it’s our Flag Day. It’s good to show the children, especially the young people in high school, how seriously they take our national Flag. The President arrived in the country, accompanied by several officials from Japan, and this is the only national program scheduled for today. Why are they not here? ” Cllr. Gongloe wondered.
According to him, the government must provide proper justification for their absence, explaining why they were not present despite being in the country.
“We have twelve Ministers who traveled with the President; they are also back in the Country with him, but they may choose to stay away.” He added.
Commenting on the War and Economics Crimes Court progress, Cllr. Gongloe’s expression to the Office of the establishment of the War and Economics Crimes Court for the progress and work done so far.
” Let us hope and pray that the government will show high commitment that will generate international sympathy and support for the establishment of the war and economic crimes Courts. Because it’s the level of seriousness that the government demonstrates that will stimulate international sympathy and support, and so we can only pray and hope for that. We want the government to demonstrate that it’s indeed committed to fighting impunity, which is the best way to strengthen our justice system. This is the best way to sustain peace.
