Normal traffic flow in central Monrovia has come to a standstill as students of the state run University of Liberia under the banner of the campus-based political group, the Student Unification Party (SUP) staged a protest in demand of arrears and benefits for their lecturers.
The students, some of whom were seen wearing military like regalia told Liberia Public Radio they are resolved to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations unless the University’s faculty are paid their salary arrears.
Traffic flow came to a complete halt as the main road leading to central Monrovia where many people on their way to do last minutes shopping for the Independence Day celebrations could not easily go through.
President George Manneh Weah has extended invitations to several foreign guests including Nigerian president Mohammadu Buhari to Liberia for this year’s July 26 Independence Day celebration in Monrovia.
UL faculty has also refused to administer the final examinations for the semester pending the payment of their salary and payment of previous deductions made from their salaries and allowances.
“This kind of 26 we never see it Ellen time, our professors must get their three months’ salary”, the students chanted slogan.
Authorities of the University of Liberia could not be reached for comments, but an insider told Liberia Public Radio Wednesday afternoon that faculty of the university fully supports the students’ action.
Former President shun
In an apparent mood to calm down the protesting students on Wednesday, former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was shunned by the students with some of them saying she is responsible for the current situation at the university.
The students accused former president Sirleaf of supporting current president George Manneh Weah who according to them is ‘messing’ the country’s economy.
