We Will Not Vote For Ellen, If...Says Indigenous Movement

Source: The Inquirer Liberia

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

A group calling itself the Indigenous Movement of Liberia has threatened not to vote for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf if she does not withdraw from the ongoing land Case involving Mr. Joseph Cornomia and Elouise Duncan. The Indigenous Movement said in the interest of peace, unity and transparent justice, they are calling on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to order the withdrawal of the case from court to allow both parties have equal access to justice without Presidential interference. The group in a press statement said that it has observed with keen interest the long land dispute between Mr. Cornomia, a native and Elouise Duncan, a 'Congo woman' in whose interest President Sirleaf has taken side.

The group said President Sirleaf took side by writing a letter to the Ministry of Justice to institute cancellation proceedings against Mr. Cornomia's deed and turn said land over to Elouise Duncan in case Republic of Liberia versus Joseph Cornomia. The Indigenous Movement said the same lawyers that were representing Elouise Duncan against Mr. Cornomia in this land dispute in the past are the same lawyers representing the Republic of Liberia.

The group said it appears that the primary concern of this government is use the power of the Executive Mansion including the Ministry of Justice selfishly to protect the legal interest of Elouise Duncan at the detriment of Mr. Cornomia only because he is a country man.

“We strongly feel that if the President wants to intervene fairly in this land dispute, she should apply a high degree of neutrality to respect and protect the interest of all parties equally whether Congo or country,” the Indigenous Movement said. The group said further that since both parties allegedly acquired their title deeds from the Republic of Liberia, the President needs to order an investigative survey to establish if the two parties are actually on the same spot as specified in their respective deeds.

The Movement said the President's action to take side in this case, is not only intended to divide the nation on Congo and country line, but it is counter productive to peace, unity and equal protection under the constitution.

The Movement noted that Elouise Duncan is a very rich woman with the best lawyers to protect her legal interest, but they wonder why the President would want to act as a Special Public Defender for such a rich woman. “This is a calculated attempt by the President to re-establish the ugly past where the country people were oppressed, suppressed, abused and enslaved by some of the Congo people who depended or are still depending largely on their votes to stay in power,” the Indigenous Movement said.

“We must speak against these ills that have the potential to ferment chaos because in that what is happening to Cornomia could happen to any of us,” the group statement signed by its National Chairman Reuben Larkpawolo said.

The statement noted that all they know is that Cornomia is not only a fine son of Liberia who is law abiding but one who advocates in the interest of all whether Congo or country.