-UP, CDC Tussle Over Tubman Palace Square

Eyewitnesses said it was a war of words between supporters of the two rival political parties, spreading fear across Zwedru City and other parts of Grand Gedeh that the situation would have escalated beyond control.

 It was all about who was the first that sought permission to use the Tubman Palace Square that the CDC had chosen to be the venue for the celebration of its 22nd anniversary, but coincidentally, according to sources in Zwedru, a Peace and Unity Tournament organized by some youths of Grand Gedeh, was already in progress, thwarting the CDC’s immediate use of the Square.

Not satisfied with the situation, the reports say, officials and supporters of the CDC suggested that the ongoing Peace and Unity Tournament be called off to give the Party access to the Tubman Palace Square, a suggestion, according to eyewitnesses, was resisted by organizers of the ongoing Tournament, flaring up emotions and bitter exchanges that the reports said nearly exploded into a violent crisis between supporters of the ruling Unity Party and supporters of the former ruling CDC.

The lead organizer of the ongoing Tournament was properly planned and approved through the Office of the City Mayor before it commenced.

‎ Dogbeh quoted by the reporters also justified that organizers got formal authorization and had already started using the facility for more than four days before the CDC submitted its request to use the same venue.

‎The Zwedru City Mayor also quoted by reports said the Mayor’s office had already granted to the Youth and Sports Coordinator permission to use Tubman Palace Square for the duration of the tournament based on prior arrangements.

‎Grand Gedeh, over the years, has been the stronghold of the CDC because the opposition Party has won more votes in every elections than any other political party in that Southeastern County, but some Liberians, mainly critics of the Party, think the dynamics may change in 2029.

Although the tension in Zwedru has reportedly subsided, observers say they foresee elections-related unrest in Grand Gedeh and other parts of Liberia during the highly anticipated 2029 president and general elections.

In the main time, residents of Zwedru City are asking political leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and resolve the dispute peacefully to prevent violence and preserve public order in Grand Gedeh County.