|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Claim: V. Vehzelee Sumo, a communication officer in the office of the Majority bloc, has posted a viral statement in which religious leaders call for a ceasefire in the House of Representatives to support Speaker Koon.
Verdict: Both the president of the LCC, Dr. Samuel Reeves, and the general secretary of the National Muslim Council of Liberia have denied issuing said statement.
Full Text
Early Tuesday morning, April 8, 2025, a statement purported to have been jointly issued by the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL), and the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL) went viral on Facebook.
The statement, in part, asks all feuding parties in the current standoff between the minority and majority bloc in Liberia’s House of Representatives to cease fire.
It also asks the executive to work with the embattled Speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon.
Many have shared the viral statement, including V. Vehzeleee Sumo, communication officer in the office of the majority-bloc speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon.
On his official Facebook page, Sumo wrote, “All I can say is, we hope and pray that all parties accept the result of the court’s ruling as we patiently await.” Below is a copy of the alleged communication.
Sumo’s post generated more than 25 emojis, over 40 comments, and five shares
More about this communication
According to the alleged communication, the LCC, NMCL, and the IRCL stated, “In the interest of peace, national pride, and the sustainability of our democracy, the Councils call on the minority bloc to accept the leadership of Hon. Richard N. Koon and collaborate with him to foster inclusivity within the leadership structure of the House and its various committees.”
The statement further quotes the religious groupings as saying that they extend their gratitude to embattled House Speaker Hon. J. Fonati Koffa for his service as Speaker.
Over the years, the Liberia Council of Churches, the National Muslim Council, and the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia have all been moral voices within the Liberian society and have checked governments.
However, the source and content of this statement appear to be mysteries. DUBAWA, therefore, decided to investigate it as part of our mandate to promote truth in public discourse.
Verification
The researcher first contacted the Liberia Council of Churches through its president, Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, and he told DUBAWA that the communication was fake.
Dr. Reeves believes this purported communication may have come from those he termed delinquent members of the Liberia Council of Churches.
The researchers also contacted the LCC’s general secretary, Rev. Dr. Christopher Toe. Dr. Toe said, “The LCC is involved with a reconciliation process, which has not been concluded with the parties. We are paused right now.”
The researcher also contacted the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL) via WhatsApp through its general secretary, Alhaji A. F. Kuku Reeves.
General Secretary Alhaji A. F. Kuku Reeves said, “The National Muslim Council of Liberia has not issued any statement concerning your inquiry.”
He further stated that, as an Executive Member of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia, the IRCL has not issued any statement, as claimed by the press release circulating on social media.
Conclusion
Based on the search conducted and the clarification provided by the Liberia Council of Council Churches (LCC), the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL), and the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL), the communication circulating on social media is fake.
