CAPITOL HILL – University of Liberia President Dr. Layli Maparyan has issued a stern warning to members of the campus-based Student Unification Party, emphasizing that the university is an institution of learning, not a political playground.
In a strongly worded statement Tuesday, Dr. Maparyan condemned violent actions allegedly carried out by SUP members and threatened serious disciplinary action, including expulsion, against students found responsible for recent disturbances on UL campuses.
Her comments follow violent incidents on Monday, April 28, when SUP members reportedly clashed with Liberia National Police officers on UL’s Fendall campus. The confrontation, described by witnesses as a “rock and tear gas war,” disrupted normal academic activities.
Condemnation of Violence
Responding to the violence, Dr. Maparyan denounced the alleged acts of aggression and lawlessness against Dr. Sekou Konneh, UL’s vice president for student affairs, warning that such behavior violated university rules and national laws and would attract severe penalties.
“Your members’ acts of aggression, destruction, and violence today on the UL Fendall campus against Dr. Sekou Konneh and the Office of Student Affairs are unacceptable and punishable under both University of Liberia regulations and Liberian law,” Dr. Maparyan stated.
She added that students found to have brought knives, sticks, or other weapons onto campus—or brandished them—would face immediate expulsion, emphasizing that the intent to carry weapons is an expellable offense.
Prior Warnings on Campus Conduct
Dr. Maparyan reminded students that during a town hall meeting in March, she had warned SUP members of the serious consequences of violent behavior and weapon possession.
“I told you clearly that bringing weapons to campus is a grave offense punishable by expulsion without the need for a prior warning or suspension,” she said. “You will have to face the consequences of today’s actions.”
She also noted that Monday’s disruptions affected classes at both the Fendall and Capitol Hill campuses, accusing SUP members of using fear tactics to disrupt learning—a move she called utterly unacceptable.
“The University of Liberia exists to deliver education, not serve as a political playground,” she said. “While peaceful expression of grievances is allowed, hooliganistic protests that extend beyond the educational mission will not be tolerated.”
According to the UL Student Handbook, she said, students found guilty after investigation would face suspension or expulsion, particularly those already warned.
Rising Tensions Between SUP and Administration
Tensions between the administration and SUP have been escalating for weeks. Last week, SUP members staged a protest outside Dr. Maparyan’s Capitol Hill office, criticizing Vice President Konneh for issuing suspension letters and allegedly blocking students’ ID numbers without due process.
“You maintained that the VPSA Office has not followed due process and is violating students’ rights,” Dr. Maparyan said. She noted that she had listened to their concerns, promised an investigation, and committed to addressing them fairly.
Despite these assurances, tensions worsened over the weekend, culminating in SUP members circulating a “wanted” poster targeting Dr. Konneh and reportedly physically assaulting two staff members during an altercation at the Office of Student Affairs.
“Let me remind you,” Dr. Maparyan said, “the decision about the appointment or dismissal of vice presidents rests solely with the university president, not through intimidation or violence.”
Call for Peaceful Engagement
Dr. Maparyan commended SUP members who have remained peaceful and urged them to continue on that path. She criticized violent actions as lacking any genuine interest in constructive dialogue.
“Any deep student of revolutionary theory, history, or biography knows that successful revolutionaries improve conditions for oppressed people, not worsen them. Leaving a trail of destruction is an immature tactic,” she said.
SUP’s Counterstatement
In response, the Student Unification Party leadership issued a statement condemning what it called the “savage, mindless, and dictatorial invasion” of UL campuses by the “blood-soaked Boakai regime” and its “criminal” police forces.
Signed by Secretary-General Odecious Mulbah and Chairman Sylvester Wheeler, the statement accused the government of waging war against Liberian students, calling it a “final declaration of war” on the downtrodden masses.
They described the Boakai administration as “senile” and accused police leadership of “masquerading as law enforcement” while allegedly transforming Liberia into a “murderous state.”
SUP demanded the unconditional release of all detained students and warned that they would hold President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Inspector General Gregory Coleman, and the ruling Unity Party responsible for any harm to their members.
“We are reliably informed that three students are already in critical condition due to acts of state-sponsored torture,” SUP claimed.
They also called for the dismissal of Inspector General Coleman, describing him as a “disgrace” and a “threat to civil liberties.”
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