Published: June 9, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has called on the United Nations to launch an independent investigation into what it describes as the violent assault of its National Chairman, Cllr. Janga Augustus Kowo, by officers of the Liberia National Police.
The incident allegedly occurred on June 7 along UN Drive in Monrovia as Kowo attempted to visit four detained CDC lawmakers at the Monrovia Central Prison. According to eyewitnesses and video footage circulated online, Kowo appeared to be unarmed and non-confrontational when he was confronted and physically assaulted by police.
In a formal letter addressed to U.N. Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni, CDC Youth League Chairman Emmanuel M. Johnson described the attack as “an affront to democracy” and accused Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman of sanctioning what he called “a targeted crackdown” on political opponents.
“This is not just an attack on Cllr. Kowo, but on democracy itself,” Johnson wrote. “We cannot allow the police, under the guise of law enforcement, to act as a militia targeting those who oppose the government. This behavior threatens the fragile peace we have fought so hard to achieve.”
Johnson’s letter, delivered Monday, outlines a broader pattern of alleged human rights abuses under Coleman’s leadership, including the reported killing of civilians during previous security operations. He urged the U.N. to send a fact-finding mission to Liberia to document and investigate what he called “a growing trend of politically motivated violence and abuse of power.”
Kowo, a lawyer and former official in the previous CDC-led government, has yet to make a public statement. Party officials say he is recovering from injuries sustained during the altercation and will speak at a later date.
The Liberia National Police has not issued a statement on the incident. Multiple attempts to reach the police spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful.
Tensions in Liberia have escalated in recent weeks following the arrest and detention of several CDC lawmakers on arson and conspiracy charges linked to the December 2024 fire at the Capitol Building. The party has dismissed the charges as politically motivated and vowed to pursue legal and international remedies.
Human rights observers warn that the alleged assault on Kowo, combined with growing reports of police overreach, could further polarize the nation.
“The excessive use of force against political figures sends a dangerous signal,” said a Monrovia-based civil society analyst who asked not to be named. “Liberia’s democratic institutions are still fragile. If grievances are not addressed fairly, the risk of instability rises sharply.”
The CDC said it has submitted video evidence of the assault along with its complaint to the U.N., and is also reaching out to the African Union, ECOWAS, and other diplomatic stakeholders for support.
As Liberia navigates mounting political tensions, all eyes are on how the government will respond to calls for accountability. Rights groups and international observers stress that a credible, independent investigation is essential to maintaining public trust and preventing a slide into renewed unrest.
No response has yet been received from the United Nations.
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