BREWERVILLE, Montserrado County – Bishop Kortu K. Brown has voiced deep concern over the demolition of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters in Congo Town, describing the development as troubling for Liberia’s reconciliation and national cohesion.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the CDC headquarters being demolished,” Bishop Brown said on Sunday, August 24, during the Thanksgiving and Honoring Service marking the 27th Anniversary of the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Brewerville.
The Pentecostal cleric said the images of the demolition left him alarmed about the broader implications for peace and unity. “When I saw the CDC headquarters being demolished, I was deeply troubled about the impact of such decisions on reconciliation and national cohesion in the country,” he noted. “Just seeing the headquarters of the main opposition political party being brought to the ground alarmed me.”
Bishop Brown acknowledged that the matter was tied to a longstanding court case, but he questioned whether Liberia was running out of peaceful alternatives to resolve disputes. “I understand there has been a running case and that the courts have made some ruling on this litigation, but I wonder if the country is running out of options of promoting dialogue and national cohesion. Could this situation not have been handled in a way that the country is not further divided?” he asked.
The former president of the Liberia Council of Churches warned against the dangers of political polarization. “I fear that Liberia is going to become so politically divided that the possibility of forging a national front will be undermined, and that every national discussion will be treated as a partisan issue,” he said. “This will only widen unnecessary divisions and further polarize the country.”
He urged national leaders to prioritize unity over division. “We need to forge a culture of dialogue, peace, and togetherness. We need to promote our oneness and motivate one another to good works and not just seek to provoke one another,” Bishop Brown advised.
While recognizing the family feud at the center of the property dispute, he cautioned that the demolition of the opposition party’s headquarters could carry consequences if not handled responsibly. “The photo of the main opposition political party offices being demolished to the ground is just concerning, and if not responsibly handled could seriously further divide our people and country and make reconciliation difficult,” he said.
Bishop Brown commended the CDC for maintaining calm in the face of the demolition, contrasting the situation with past violent unrest. “We saw what happened in Monrovia about 29 years ago when the transitional government attempted to arrest the late General Roosevelt Johnson. It didn’t only bring about an altercation between religious leaders and authorities but it left Monrovia with another nickname, ‘April 6,’” he recalled.
“We must prioritize arbitration and dialogue over endangering the peace under the canopy of enforcing the rule of law,” Bishop Brown concluded.
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