Published: June 27, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has strongly condemned the arrest of its political leader, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, calling it an “arbitrary and illegal” act and accusing the Unity Party-led administration of using anti-corruption efforts as a smokescreen for political persecution.
Kemayah, a former foreign minister, was arrested Thursday alongside two other high-profile former officials — Mary Broh and Henry O. Williams — in connection with the alleged mismanagement of over 25,000 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for disaster victims. All three were briefly detained at the Monrovia Central Prison following indictments by the Special Grand Jury for Montserrado County.
The trio faces multiple charges, including economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, abuse of office, and criminal conspiracy. Government prosecutors estimate that the alleged misconduct resulted in losses exceeding US$425,000.
MOVEE Decries ‘Political Intimidation’
In a sharply worded statement issued late Thursday, MOVEE accused the Liberia National Police of executing a “scaring and panicking” operation to arrest its leader, describing the scene as excessive and politically charged.
“MOVEE sees this brazen act of political witch-hunt, executed through frivolous charges and baseless allegations, as a glaring attack on our democracy,” the party stated.
The party categorically rejected all charges against Kemayah, asserting that the allegations were politically driven and designed to intimidate and silence critical voices within the opposition.
“The charges relating to the alleged mismanagement and diversion of 29,412 bags of rice are not only false and misleading but also expose the Unity Party government’s desperate attempts to clamp down on opposition leaders,” MOVEE claimed.
Party Links Arrest to Women’s Empowerment Programs
The statement also sought to frame the arrest as a targeted attack on Kemayah’s legacy, particularly his support for women’s empowerment and vocational training initiatives.
“The reckless and vindictive leadership of the Unity Party government has opted to undermine these positive strides with false allegations,” the party said.
Questions Raised Over Assets Recovery Team
MOVEE further criticized the credibility of the Assets Recovery Team, particularly its chairperson, Cllr. Edwin Klah Martin, questioning his fitness to lead anti-corruption efforts.
“The very Assets Recovery Team is embroiled in corruption allegations,” the party noted. “Former members have accused Cllr. Martin of mismanaging funds, and there remain serious concerns over unaccounted budgetary allocations and unpaid staff salaries.”
Calls for Fair Trial Amid Warnings of Resistance
While welcoming Kemayah’s release from detention, MOVEE demanded a fair, transparent, and speedy judicial process. The party expressed gratitude to former President George Weah, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), its legal team, and its partisans for their support.
“We see Ambassador Kemayah not just as our political leader and standard-bearer but as a person of honesty and integrity,” the statement read.
In a final warning, the party vowed to resist what it described as the Boakai administration’s misuse of the justice system to score political points.
“While we respect and support the rule of law, we will protect our own against frivolous charges intended to serve political interests,” MOVEE declared.
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