Close to 100 former officers of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), lead presidential guard in Liberia, are planning to take to the streets of Monrovia this coming Monday in a protest against their wrongful dismissal and the failure to receive their salaries. Godfrey Weah, spokesman for the dismissed officers, announced the protest, which is titled “Kill One, Kill All”, on a local radio.
The group, dismissed when Joseph Boakai took office, has faced ongoing issues with the government regarding unpaid benefits. The spokesman expressed frustration, stating that the protest aims to pressure President Boakai to address their grievances. “We are calling for action. We took the EPS to court, but the EPS boss refused to attend the court hearing,” he said. Spokesman emphasized that the officers feel their rights have been violated and warned that they would this time walk to the offices of the EPS Director Sam Gaye to discuss their situation.
“We are going to see our boss. It is our right to confront him about why he has not paid us,” he declared. He also mentioned that the group had attempted to summon Gaye to court a second time, but he failed to appear. “If we go to him and he uses force to push us away, he will be responsible for any trouble that ensues,” he warned.
Another dismissed agent, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed their spokesman’s sentiments, stating, “We will enter EPS Director Gaye’s office for our benefits. He will have to pay us on that day, or he will have to kill us.”
In addition, a representative from a group of approximately 600 women who were also dismissed from the Ministry of State by the Joseph Boakai’s leadership expressed solidarity with the former EPS agents. She announced that they would join the protest, underscoring the widespread frustration over wrongful dismissals and unpaid salaries.
The protest is poised to draw significant attention as the dismissed officers demand justice and accountability from the government. EPS could not be reached for comment up to press time.