MONROVIA – Former Representative Jimmy Smith has strongly clarified recent comments attributed to the Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Settled Abroad, Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté concerning a member of the Fulani community and some officers of the Liberian National Police.
During a recent security conference organized by the Network of African Parliamentarians on Defense and Security committees (REPAM-CDS) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the esteem Liberian security diplomat who is also the immediate past 3rd Vice President of the continental body, Smith clarified that the allegation was false and misleading, something he argued that has the propensity to create problems among cross-border citizens of both countries.
“It’s important to clarify to this unique body that the Guinean foreign minister was dangerously misled. The situation in Monrovia was not a case of rape but rather an alleged suspect of power theft (electricity crime) scuffle between suspect Zainah while resisting arrest and law enforcement personals. Our government has promised to treat this case with almost emergency and it’s only important for our regional brothers to calculate the risk of proximity so as to avoid creating bitter sensation among cross-border citizens,” Retired Col. Smith stated.
On Thursday, July 24, via Facebook, Guinean Foreign Minister, Dr. Kouyaté is quoted to have said that “The Guinean government has learned that a female Guinean national residing in Monrovia, Liberia was raped by a Liberian Police officer on live camera.” His statement is said to have sparked emotions amongst his fellow compatriots at home and aboard.
However, the former Liberian lawmaker robustly refuted the accusation while reflecting on the good and bad memories the both neighboring countries shared over the years.
“Fellow colleagues, over the past few decades, the relationship between Liberia and Guinea has been complex, marked by both cooperation and conflict. While we share a border and are members of the Mano River Union, our relationship has been strained by regional instability, particularly during the Liberian civil wars, which spilled over into Guinea. Also, Guinea has historically hosted refugees from Liberia and has been involved in peacekeeping efforts in the region something for which every Liberian remains forever grateful.”
Additionally, the former Liberian parliamentarian highlighted the danger associated with misinformation.
“In West Africa, the spread of disinformation can severely undermine peace building efforts by exacerbating existing grievances, fostering mistrust, and potentially triggering violence. Disinformation could also be subversive and intentional perjury and harmful which seeks to undermine peace,” the retired Colonel added.
