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Monrovia, Liberia – In a forceful and uncompromising tone, the United Brotherhood Association (UBA) has taken center stage in the national conversation surrounding the Red Light–Barclay Mission unrest. UBA Executive Secretary General Habib Kamara Jomandy has condemned both the violence that erupted during the Supreme Court–ordered eviction and the disturbing scenes of custodial brutality that followed — calling for calm, justice, and an end to political manipulation.
His remarks come as the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court has sentenced sixteen individuals to one month each at the Monrovia Central Prison for criminal contempt, following a second wave of violent resistance during enforcement of the Supreme Court’s eviction order.
UBA Says “No Liberian Must Be Brutalized in Custody”
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Jomandy sharply denounced a viral video showing civilians being assaulted while already in police custody — allegedly by unauthorized individuals.
“You cannot be in the custody of the police and at the same time being tortured by unauthorized people… a bunch of gangsters and thugs,” he said. “That was wrong, very inhuman, very barbaric.”
While he commended the Liberia National Police for initially managing a tense situation, he insisted the officers were ultimately overwhelmed. This lapse, he said, created an opening for “uninvited guests” to infiltrate the operation, fueling chaos.
Jomandy stressed that the United Brotherhood Association — a rehabilitation-driven, non-violent youth community — supports the government and will not condone terrorism or violent resistance. But he emphasized that supporting law enforcement does not mean staying quiet when citizens’ rights are violated.
Opposition Accused of Fueling Tensions
The UBA chief accused certain opposition elements of attempting to weaponize the Keita–Kamara land conflict for political gain.
“Let the opposition stop coming in to inflate the situation. Liberia is a secular state. This is not a Muslim problem, not a tribal problem — just a family property matter.”
He warned that inflammatory social media commentary could reignite tensions and urged citizens, especially in the Mandingo and Muslim community, not to allow politics to destabilize fragile peace.
“Our anger must not outweigh our reason,” he cautioned.
Imam Ali Krayee: “Resisting Law Enforcement Is Un-Islamic”
Liberia’s Chief Imam, Sheikh Ali Krayee, has also weighed in, clarifying that the Supreme Court’s ruling is final and must be obeyed. The Imam recounted earlier interventions by Muslim leaders aimed at calming the parties and ensuring the eviction would proceed peacefully.
He expressed disappointment that resistance later resurfaced, saying it was “completely wrong for anybody to attempt to resist the enforcement of the law.”
“Anybody who does that is not acting in line with the teachings of Islam,” Imam Krayee said. “The Muslim community cannot stand by you.”
Court Jails 16 for Violent Resistance
The judiciary has now taken decisive action. On Friday, Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh sentenced sixteen individuals to one month in prison after finding them guilty of criminal contempt for violently obstructing officers enforcing the Supreme Court eviction in Paynesville.
The convicted individuals — including Imam Abu Kamara and several others — were arrested on November 13 after allegedly attacking the enforcement team with stones and other objects.
Judge Gbeneweleh cited a pattern of repeated aggression against court personnel dating back to September, when bailiffs were first attacked during an enforcement attempt.
“The rule of law cannot be held hostage by violence,” he said.
Although the law permits up to five months’ imprisonment for contempt, the judge imposed a one-month sentence in consideration of their apologies.
A Longstanding Dispute Nears Conclusion
The conflict dates back to a 2020 petition by the Intestate Estate of Batune Keita alleging illegal occupation of property by the Mamadee M. Kamara estate. Both the Civil Law Court and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Keita family, mandating eviction of all unlawful occupants.
The court’s latest action signals that the judiciary intends to fully enforce the ruling, with or without community cooperation.
UBA: “We Will Extinguish the Fire, Not Fuel It”
As the situation unfolds, Jomandy’s message remains clear: peace must prevail, community leaders must de-escalate tensions, and custodial brutality must never be normalized.
“I’m Kamara, but I will not take sides,” he said. “What is wrong is wrong.”
He reaffirmed the UBA’s commitment to supporting legal processes and preventing violence.
“Violence is not a solution. The object of violence is victimization, and the object of victimization is uprising. We don’t want that. We will extinguish the fire, not fuel it.”
As Liberia watches this land dispute reach its legal climax, national figures warn that the real battle now is preventing a lawful court mandate from spiraling into broader communal unrest — and ensuring justice is administered without brutality.
