REP. MARVIN COLE THREATENS WAR; ACCUSES PRESIDENT BOAKAI OF MASTERMINDING HOUSE CRISIS

By Matalay Kollie

Gbarnga, Bong County: Bong County District-3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole has issued a warning, accusing the government of President Joseph Boakai of worsening the ongoing leadership impasse within the House of Representatives.

During a press conference in Gbarnga on Sunday, December 8, 2024, Cole alleged that Senior Government officials, including President Boakai and Bong County Senator Prince Moye, are orchestrating the chaos on Capitol Hill.

The outspoken Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) lawmaker accused the Unity Party-led government of targeting opposition figures, including himself and embattled House Speaker Fonati Koffa, in what he described as an attempt to silence them.

He claimed these actions were part of a calculated effort to weaken the opposition, a move he warned could have grave consequences for Liberia’s stability. “If you continue to push the serpent to the wall, the response will be to bite you,” said Cole. “We are calling on the 82-year-old president to urge his surrogates to adhere to the rule of law, If they fail to do so, we will resist them.”

Cole’s statements were marked by stark warnings of possible violence. He accused the government of creating a situation that he described as a “town bomb” waiting to explode. “If this government wants peace, we will give them peace. “If they want war, we will give them war,” Cole declared. He further stated that members of the National Patriotic Party (NPP), a faction within the former ruling coalition, are prepared for conflict, citing their experience in Liberia’s civil wars.

“We members of the NPP cannot be intimidated by any form of violence, not even war,” he asserted. The lawmaker’s remarks come at a time when many Liberians are grappling with economic hardships and political uncertainty. The leadership crisis within the legislature has heightened fears of instability, with citizens expressing concerns over the potential for escalation. Cole’s statement has drawn attention to the fragile state of Liberia’s democracy and the challenges facing the Government in maintaining peace and order.

As tensions mount, calls for dialogue and adherence to the rule of law have grown louder. The government has yet to respond to Cole’s accusations or his warnings of potential conflict. However, many Liberians are urging leaders on both sides to prioritize stability and work towards resolving the legislative impasse peacefully.