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Posted May 29, 2006
Don't just evict them: Put the law into
effect
Constant reports of illegal occupation and
trading of some of Liberia’s main sources of revenues by ex-combatants and
their collaborators on one hand, and government’s approach on the other
hand, suggest the Liberian law is yet to take its place. It also appears
that all laws governing business activities in the country are yet to be
implemented. I have been pondering whether allowing those who are engaged
in these ongoing illegal activities to go free, is part of the Truth and
Reconciliation in Liberia. It is unequivocal to state here that the day the
new Liberian government was sworn in, law and order supposed to be restored.
The primary objective of
a democratic government is to usher in social, political, and economic
order, with respect to enforcing all the laws as enshrined in the
constitution.
Chapter I Article 2: The Liberian
Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of Liberia and its
provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and
persons throughout the Republic.
It has been reported in the Liberian
media over and over that ex-fighters and unscrupulous business entities
continue to tap latex, mine diamonds, and fell timbers in the country,
despite government appeals to halt all illegal concessions.
Unfortunately, the only
action by the government of Liberia against these illegal activities is an
appeal made to UNMIL to stop those engaged in these unlawful acts without
any mention or attempt to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. Even
though some of the elements involved in these illegal activities have been
identified, there are still no stringent legal actions against them;
suggesting they are excluded from the laws of the land.
Chapter III, Article 22b
of the Liberian Constitution, states, that private property right shall not
extend to any mineral resources on or beneath any land or to any lands under
the seas and waterways of the Republic. All mineral resources in and under
the seas and other waterways shall belong to the Republic and be used by and
for the entire Republic.
Based on the foregoing,
the Liberian government, upon taking office, is now charged with the
constitutional duty to not only secure Liberia’s mineral resources, but to
apprehend and prosecute person(s) exploiting and depriving government and
people of these resources. What justification is there to drive off those
illegally occupying and exploiting the country’s resources without bringing
them to face justice?
President Sirleaf,
according to IRIN’s May 26 edition, has asked UN peacekeepers to help the
government take control of two rubber plantations occupied by former rebel
fighters who have been illegally tapping latex. While this move by the
president is encouraging, this should be followed by arrests and prosecution
of those individuals-the act of illegal tapping warrants strict legal
action.
The self-proclaimed
manager of Sinoe Rubber Plantation, ex-LURD General Paulson Gartey and Amos
Tamba, a so-called deputy head of former fighters in the Davison Ten section
of the Guthrie plantation, and many others who have been identified in these
illegal activities must face justice. After the new government was sworn in,
all activities outside of the law must be ceased.
But, if
former combatants and their collaborators continue to cheat the Liberian
people, they should not only be driven off the illegal operations, but let
punishment serve as deterrence to current and would-be criminals.
Exceedingly, the Liberian people deserve equal distribution of their wealth.
Writes, Thomas Kai Toteh |
