Monrovia, Liberia – In a fervent address to the nation, Former President George M. Weah fiercely criticized the Unity Party (UP) administration under President Joseph Boakai, accusing it of orchestrating a series of unlawful detentions aimed at undermining the opposition and destabilizing the country’s political landscape. The speech, delivered on Monday, July 29, 2024, marks a significant escalation in political tensions in Liberia.
Weah began his address by condemning the recent actions of the UP administration, highlighting the unlawful detention of four former members of the National Security Council. He described these actions as part of a broader strategy to target the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the wider opposition community without any legal indictment from a grand jury. “This is the latest transgression of the Boakai Administration in their callous attempt to undermine the rule of law and security of the state,” Weah declared.
The former president outlined a series of grievances against the current administration, accusing it of various abuses and violations:
- Harassment and removal of civil servants along party lines.
- Excessive use of force against citizens, resulting in several deaths.
- Non-prosecution of election-related deaths captured on camera.
- Disregard for tenure laws despite Liberia Supreme Court rulings.
- Violations of procurement laws.
- Denial of benefits to duly commissioned foreign service officials.
Weah specifically condemned the recent attempt to remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, calling it a blatant violation of the act creating the institution. He asserted that the CDC would resist these actions using all legal and political means at its disposal.
Weah’s speech also touched on his administration’s record, emphasizing his commitment to the rule of law and the fight against corruption. He highlighted his administration’s efforts in granting the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) direct prosecutorial powers and urged the LACC to treat all audit reports equally, criticizing the current administration for selectively targeting his officials.
Reflecting on his commitment to Liberia’s peace and stability, Weah recounted his efforts to advocate for a ceasefire during the civil war, lead disarmament efforts, serve as a peace ambassador, and concede the election peacefully. He accused the Boakai administration of misinterpreting this commitment as a weakness and using it as an opportunity to disturb the peace.
“The CDC sought not to tread the path of exploiting our legal system for political gain, maintaining the stability of the country against all odds,” Weah stated, contrasting his administration’s approach with that of Boakai’s.
He warned that the recent political detentions and other actions by the UP administration could divert public attention from the ongoing economic crisis and alleged misuse of public funds. Weah called on the opposition to unite against what he termed as “dangerous games of witch-hunt” and announced plans to brief CDC partisans and engage with ECOWAS leaders and other international partners.
Weah concluded his address with a powerful quote from Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the need for unity and the preservation of democracy. “Our country has enjoyed peace and stability for over 20 years, and the people deserve perpetual peace and stability. Therefore, the Liberian people must resist any attempt by the Boakai administration to disturb peace,” he urged.
The speech has sparked a wide range of reactions across the political spectrum, with many anticipating heightened political activity and potential unrest in the coming days.
