-Former Vice President Taylor under attack

By Jerromie S. Walters

Liberia’s former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor appears grappling with the fear and uncertainty of being attacked again, as she speaks out about the alarming lack of safety she feels following an attack on her vehicle on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Paynesville, Liberia.

Over the weekend, Madam Taylor told WomenVoices that a large rock was thrown at the back windshield of her vehicle, while she was returning from a visit to the CHAP RICE PROJECT ON DUPORT ROAD, unfortunately, she never had proper escort vehicles and security measures.

“I was coming from Duport Road and someone threw a large rock at the back windshield of my car…. I now really feel unsafe.I went to visit the CHAP Rice Project on Duport Road, and on my way back without proper escort vehicle and security my vehicle was attacked from the back.” This also happened after she served as Keynote Speaker earlier that day (Saturday) at the National Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference (NWLEC- 2024) held at the Paynesville Town Hall. 

Following the incident, she expressed her dismay at the absence of adequate security, escort vehicles, and backup support during her trip, which she believes ultimately led to the attack on her vehicle. “We were in the normal traffic as there were no escorts nor backup vehicle. Not sufficient security. Everyone just stood by and looked. My life isn’t safe. How can I even go out when I don’t know if I will be attacked again?” she asked in disappointment. The former Vice President described the attack as the first physical incident following verbal threats, indicating that it appeared to be targeted and could potentially happen again. 

Madam Taylor: “There were some mean words thrown at us but this is the first physical one..it seemed targeted and once they have tried – it will be done again. It feels so sad that my life is now at this kind of threat level in my own home!” She voiced her distress at the realization that her safety is now compromised in her own country. Engulfed in fear, Madam Taylor articulated: “My life isn’t safe. How can I even go out when I don’t know if I will be attacked again?”

EPS Ignoreher pleas for protection

Madam Jewel Howard Taylor informed WomenVoices that she has repeatedly raised concerns with the Executive Protection Service (EPS) about feeling unsafe, but her pleas have fallen on deaf ears. “I had complained to EPS over and over that I felt unsafe but to no avail…I don’t have sufficient security or any vehicles to go about. I only have my 1 private vehicle.”

To avoid a repeat of Saturday’s tragedy, Madam Taylor stresses the essentiality of enhanced security measures to ensure her protection and safety as she goes about her daily life. She appears baffled by the lack of response from authorities as the need for her safety becomes visible every other day.

What legal instruments say

Though many have argued that it is not indicatedconstitutionally that a former presidents and vice presidentsmust be provided executive protection by the state, Executive Law Chapter 1, Sections 1.3 and 1.4 discuss annuities for the President and Vice President, suggesting a broader state responsibility towards the welfare of its former leaders that extends to personal safety and security.

Meanwhile, Executive Order No. 91 issued by President Sirleaf outlines the provision of transition services, including vehicles, chauffeurs, and VIP protection (EPS and Police Services), for the outgoing President and Vice President. It illustrates the practical application of principles laid out in the Executive Law regarding the security of former leaders and reinforces the idea that such provisions are part of the expected transition package.

Also, the 2023 Pension Bill passed by the Liberian Senate includes personal staff and police protection among the retirement benefits for former presidents and other high-ranking officials. The bill clarifies and expands the scope of benefits, including security, that the state is mandated to provide to its former executives.

Weah’s experience 

In March of this year, the Executive Protection Service (EPS) admonished former President George Weah to hire private security as they said the size of the detail or bodyguard corps assigned is determined by the EPS based on the threat level around said VIP. This came after Mr. Weah requested a minimum of twenty-five Executive Protection Service agents. 

In a release dated March 20, 2024, the EPS justified that there is no law in the book that the force must provide bodyguards for former Presidents, former vice Presidents, etc., but it has been a longstanding tradition that the incumbent President usually authorizes security protection for those who had occupied the office before him or her. In keeping with said tradition, the EPS said the provision of security protection to the former President and former Vice President is automatic; and not based on a request from the former.

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