Published: December 14, 2024
Liberia stands on the height of despair, as multiple traces of tyranny reveal themselves in chilling clarity. The current regime, led by Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has fostered an environment of lawlessness, characterized by an unashamed disregard for the rule of law and the basic tenets of democracy. Our primary concern is whether the tools used to remove a duly elected Speaker is lawful; similar methods could also be employed to bring down the government. This is our first eyes-opening call to the young people and youth of this nation, beyond political party lines, must RISE and RALLY against these injustices, demanding a future that honors our dignity and rights.
The refusal of President Boakai and his officials to declare and publish their assets is not simply an oversight; it is a deliberate act of defiance against the principles of transparency and accountability. When leaders are allowed to operate in the shadows, the very foundations of our governance begin to crumble, leading to widespread corruption and abuse of power. As its obviously being displayed today at the national legislature, where lawmakers are being bribed to illegally removed an elected speaker.
The misuse of US $22 Million state funds by the Public Works Minister Mr. Roland Lafayette Giddings, who acts without adherence to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), exemplifies this culture of impunity. The resignation of the former Commerce Minister Amid Modad over US $96,000. financial mismanagement—without any investigation or prosecution—further underscores a systemic failure to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
In an alarming display of political tyranny, individuals from the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) have faced illegal dismissals and targeted harassment from multiple government agencies. The unlawful dismissal of civil servants targeted from the opposition is a direct assault on our democratic values and a clear attempt to silence individual rights to freedom of association.
The closure of the state-run University of Liberia marks a disturbing effort to suppress student politics and activism. By silencing the voices of our youth, the regime hopes to extinguish the flame of protest and dissent that is vital for a thriving democracy. The arbitrary firing of tear gas and live ammunition at CDC headquarters demonstrates an alarming willingness to resort to violence to suppress opposition. All these are multiple traces of tyranny counted without streets actions. It’s now time to Rise and Rally!
The regime’s criminal attacks on former President George M. Weah, including the refusal to allow him entry of the VIP lounge built during his presidency and the attempted assassination on his life while in the air and forcibly landed, reflect a regime that is terrified of its own citizens. The violent deployment of Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) personnel at the airport to intimidate cdcians is a clear message that: opposition will not be tolerated.
As the unlawful removal of the duly elected Speaker, Hon. J Fonati Koffa, sponsored by the President and Vice President, shows, the erosion of democratic institutions is well underway. The rising prices of goods and services, coupled with extreme hardship, paint a dire picture of a Nation in Crisis.
The arbitrary killing of innocent children like Shadrach Thomas Dokie, Momo Tamba, young Jashua, and the lack of prosecution in a high-profile rape case involving the Minister of Internal Affairs Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr highlight the absolute lawlessness that has taken root. These heinous acts are not just statistics; they are a reflection of a society where justice is never allowed and the vulnerable are left unprotected.
To the international community EU, AU, UN, particularly the United States, we urge you to recognize the gravity of the situation in Liberia. It is time to impose sanctions on this government and cancel all support until there is a meaningful commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens.
To our fellow young people, Now is the Time to Act. We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of such tyranny. We must Rise and Rally, demand accountability, and fight for a Liberia that respects the dignity of every individual. The future of our nation is in our hands, and we must forge a path of Justice, Freedom, and True Democracy.
The time for Action is Now—let us not be quiet!
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