Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh says the Government of Liberia’s attention has been drawn to the increased wave of mob violence in the country. Speaking Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, Minister Tweh said these incidents ignite quickly and become very violent, and mobs would even attack state security who may attempt to intervene.
He said this action is putting the general wellbeing of communities at serious threat, while the justice system and the authority of government entities are being challenged. “We have seen incidents where mobs took the law into their hands and burned vehicles that were involved in accidents,” he said, noting numerous incidents of legal surveys of land being prevented by mobs armed with cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous items, while the enforcement of court judgments have been prevented on some occasions.
The Justice Minister further recalled incidents in which police stations and court houses were set ablaze by angry crowds and prison facilities were vandalized, looted and prisoners set free. Due to the seriousness of the situation, he revealed that the Supreme Court of Liberia recently met with him, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police and the Executive Director of the Liberia Land Authority, to discuss the situation as it affects the judiciary, especially the prevention of the enforcement of judgments of the courts by angry crowds.
“Our country is moving too fast down the wrong path! Mob violence has become an unfortunate stain on the fabric of our nation. We have to arrest the situation and change the course of our country, and this is what this administration has pledged to do and this is what this administration will do,” he said.
Minister Tweh stressed that any form of mob violence is criminal, as it often results in deaths, severe bodily injuries and destruction of properties. He maintained that the government will not condone mob violence which is a violation of the country’s laws and a violation of democratic principles and values, but will uphold the rule of law as the fabric that holds the society together.
Tweh said the ministry in collaboration with state securities agencies will embark on the necessary measures aimed at eradicating mob violence from the Liberian society. Meanwhile, he vowed that state security will arrest and penalize individuals engaging in mob violence with the assistance of technology, including drones and social media.
He said for any nation to prosper and progress, it must uphold the rule of law and this is a responsibility of both the government and the citizens. Minister Tweh called on Liberians to ensure that they uphold the rule of law by seeking redress through the courts and not resulting in mob justice.
