Monrovia - Former Senate Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, and ex-general of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) of by former President Charles Taylor, Thomas Jucontee Woewiyu, said he has no regret over his involvement in the country’s 15-year brutal civil conflict. He said, though he regrets and apologizes for the loss of innocent lives, destruction, cruelty, Lawlessness and heinous crimes committed by individual Liberians, and foreigners alike during what is now known as the most brutal war in recent memory. “I have to say that I owe no apology for my involvement in what was initially a legitimate uprising against the brutal dictatorship,” he said. Continued Woewiyu: “In other words, I strongly felt it was necessary to rid our country of the evil of dictatorship and reconstitute democracy. I rightly felt so as a Christian believing that God the Almighty sometimes authorizes his people to wage just war against evil for the common good the Holy Bible says so. Yes, as a Christian I firmly believed then that a just militant uprising against the Doe dictatorship with righteous commitments would eventually yield the common good for our Nation.” Woewiyu said the initiative to wage a war against what they saw as evil-however the unforeseeable consequences-was an honest attempt to rid the nation of a brutal dictator and replace him with a democratic leader. “The initiative was transformed into anarchy because of greed and the blind quest for power,” said the former warlord. “Those who took part in this righteous revolution either as leaders or foot soldiers and committed crimes against their fellow men will bear the consequences here on earth and in life beyond.” Speaking at a news conference Monday, March 3, 2014 in Duazhon, Margibi County, when he officially declared his interest in contesting as a candidate in the 2014 special senatorial elections in Grand Bassa County, he frowned on those heading the former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia for not allowing him to testify to the Liberians all he knew about the brutal Civil conflict. “Rumors that I refused to come to testify during the TRC hearing are false,” said Woewiyu. “I was blocked, deliberately blocked from coming to testify. Whatever the reason was for the Commissioners of the TRC is their business, but I did not get the chance to express myself about the Tragedy in our country; so this is that opportunity.” Responding to question as to why he wants to become a senator again, he said: “For those of you who play football unless you on the field you cannot play, I have laid out new ideas on how to proceed. It is necessary to ask those who have stayed nine years in the Senate on what new they can do. “Is it necessary to get those same people to review those agreements? I say no; I have a wealth of knowledge concerning Liberian politics and that of the interest of the Bassa People. I think I will make a better representation if elected.” The Former Senate Pro-tempore who is anticipating contesting on the Ticket of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) played down comments that he stands a slim chance of winning for the fact that he is contesting against the Liberty Party (LP) judging from past experience of how the people of Bassa have voted their lawmakers into office. Woewiyu said, Grand Base is not a single Party County claims that all the political parties in Liberia have constituencies in Grand Bassa County because a County does not depend on one party for its survival. Legislative agenda He said if elected he would sponsor in addition to other bills, an act to create a Five Billion Dollar Endowment Fund entitled ‘Liberia Sovereign Indigenous Endowment Fund’. This fund, he said, would be the product of an earmarked portion of the income drive from sale of the Country irreplaceable Natural resource estate of which 90% has been mortgaged and forfeited by and through scandalous and corrupt government policies and practices, thereby rendering the masses of the disadvantaged, deprived and dispossessed. He also promised to vigorously participate in the review of the numerous concession agreements that were granted by acts of the legislature with the view of strengthening the Liberian contents, and support an amendment to the Liberian Constitution to define citizenship in categories ranging from A-C. The former Pro-Temp also promised to foster collaboration and unity amongst members of the County Caucus. He also promised to ensure that the famous oil block 13 and all other natural resources located in Grand Bassa County are a blessing and not curse to the people of Bassa. Mr. Woewiyu has served in many public positions including; Minister of Labor from 1994-2000, Senator of Grand Bassa when he replaced Charles Brumskine in 2000 and Pro-temp 2003. frontpageafricaonline/index.php/politic/890-woewiyu-justifies-role-in-war-throws-hat-in-bassa-race
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 05:27:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015