Published: August 23, 2024
Monrovia – Tensions in Monrovia have reached a boiling point after violent clashes erupted between the police and supporters of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) early Thursday morning. The government has accused former President George Weah and his CDC party of deliberately inciting the unrest, while CDC officials and their supporters allege that the violence was provoked by an unannounced police raid.
At a press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah labeled the chaos as a “calculated and designed plan” orchestrated by Weah and his CDC allies to destabilize the nation. Piah went on to condemn what he described as the “irresponsible” actions of key CDC figures, including Representative Frank Saah Foko, claiming that these actions pose a threat to Liberia’s peace and stability.
According to eyewitness accounts, the unrest began around 5 a.m. when police officers reportedly attempted a raid near the CDC headquarters in Congo Town. The raid quickly spiraled out of control as residents, particularly women, raised alarms. Tires were set ablaze along Tubman Boulevard, blocking traffic, and a barrage of stones and glass bottles were hurled from within the CDC compound at the police.
In response, CDC Secretary-General Jefferson Koijee accused the police of instigating the violence. In a social media post, Koijee alleged that a police vehicle entered the CDC compound the previous night, opening fire and conducting a raid. “The whereabouts of some partisans are unknown. Such provocation is unfortunate and calls for immediate attention,” he posted on Facebook.
As the situation deteriorated, businesses in the vicinity were forced to take precautionary measures. The headquarters of telecommunications giant LoneStar Cell MTN, located directly across from the CDC compound, had to shut down operations due to safety concerns.
Conflicting narratives have only added to the confusion and heightened the blame game between the government and the CDC. Minister Piah also addressed circulating rumors that a search warrant had been issued for former President Weah’s residence. He categorically denied these reports, stating, “The government has not requested any raid or search warrant against the former president.”
Meanwhile, addressing a crowd of CDC supporters, Koijee announced an emergency meeting for Friday, August 23, at the party headquarters to discuss the next steps. Koijee warned, “We will assemble partisans and citizens at our headquarters, and we will move on the streets for the government to kill us all.”
He accused the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of failing to protect Liberian citizens and of using armed police against “armless and peaceful” civilians. He asserted that the CDC remains committed to peaceful resistance and vowed to continue holding the government accountable, describing the Boakai-led administration as one that came to power “based on lies and criminality.”
Former President Weah in a statement condemned the police actions as a serious threat to peace and questioning the United Party (UP)-led government’s ability to govern. “The UP administration boasts of their governing abilities, yet they are demonstrating a lack of tolerance. Why would they open fire on innocent civilians? The attacks began as early as 2 a.m.,” Weah declared.
Weah’s sentiments were echoed in disturbing footage from the clashes, showing riot police forcibly detaining CDC supporters amid clouds of tear gas. In one particularly harrowing video, officers can be seen dragging a supporter out of the CDC compound.
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