-Koijee condemns dismissals of MCC employees
By Jerromie S. Walters
In a statement addressing the recent dismissals of employees from the Monrovia City Government, former Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee has accused the current administration of engaging in gross human rights violations and political witch hunts. He claims that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has colluded with the Monrovia City Government to unlawfully terminate the employment of several Liberians, who he asserts have not committed any crimes or posed threats to the government.
“Before those dismissals, we were informed that Mr. Boakai had mandated the CSA Boss and the Monrovia City Mayor to dismiss scores of Liberians as a grand plot, but with initial dismissals of nine employees of the City Government. The dismissals are counterproductive to addressing the unemployment crisis in Liberia, it undermines the very fundamental ideas on which Mr. Boakai campaigned to rescue Liberia and lastly, these dismissals are instruments of chaos to dividing Liberia in a post-election environment,” he said.
Koijee alleges that the dismissals were orchestrated as part of a larger political agenda directed by Mr. Joseph Boakai, a prominent political figure in Liberia. According to Koijee, initial reports indicated that Boakai had instructed the CSA and the Mayor of Monrovia to dismiss a significant number of employees, with nine individuals being the first casualties of this alleged conspiracy.
“The dismissals are counterproductive to addressing the unemployment crisis in Liberia,” Koijee stated. “They undermine the very principles on which Mr. Boakai campaigned, and they serve as instruments of chaos designed to divide our nation during an already tense post-election environment.”
Koijee criticized the Mayor’s leadership, claiming that his incompetence has endangered not only those dismissed but also others who do not share the political sentiments of the ruling Unity Party. He expressed concern that the dismissals have created a climate of fear among citizens, particularly those who wish to contribute positively to national development.
He further condemned the government’s approach to dissent, noting that individuals are now being dismissed for expressing their opinions on social media. “Under Boakai, we can no longer use social media to disagree on policy and leadership issues without facing severe repercussions,” Koijee lamented.
Koijee’s statements come in the wake of a broader crackdown on dissent in Liberia, where he argues that the government is ignoring the rule of law. He pointed to the case of Mike Jabateh, a man who allegedly threatened violence against a sitting representative but remains employed, as evidence of a double standard in the application of justice.
The former mayor also highlighted the constitutional implications of the dismissals, citing Article 18 of the Liberian Constitution, which prohibits dismissals based on partisanship, tribe, or creed. He accused the Mayor of violating the Decent Work Act of 2015 and ignoring the autonomy of the Monrovia City Government to manage its personnel independently.
Koijee’s remarks have sparked a heated debate about governance and human rights in Liberia. He urged the international community to take note of the situation, warning that the dismissals could undermine the country’s diplomatic relations and hinder development efforts.
“The peace we fought for is at risk when innocent citizens are dismissed from their jobs,” he warned. “The government’s actions could lead to citizen unrest, which we do not wish to see.”
In a call to action, Koijee urged citizens and civil society organizations to stand against what he termed “bad governance” and to collectively contest the actions of the current administration. He expressed hope that the international community would intervene and support the preservation of democracy and human rights in Liberia.
