Published: September 16, 2026
MONROVIA — The civil society group STAND said Tuesday it has begun consultations toward what it called lawful, peaceful and nonviolent action against the Boakai administration. The group warned that the government is building a system that could override voters’ choice in the 2029 elections.
By Lennart Dodoo
In a statement marking the International Day of Democracy, the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day accused the government of concentrating state power and politicizing the institutions that run elections and police public order. STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu Jr. signed the statement.
“A system is taking shape that threatens to undermine the people’s will in 2029. If these trends are not confronted now, the ballot itself may no longer be enough to protect the people’s choice,” the statement said.
“We have begun consultative engagements toward lawful, peaceful, and nonviolent democratic action to defend the Republic and protect the constitutional rights of the Liberian people,” it said.
The statement did not say what form the action would take, when it would begin or which groups have joined the consultations.
STAND singled out Jonathan K. Weedor’s appointment as chairman of the National Elections Commission. The group cited “public questions” about his alleged partisan ties to the Unity Party and about his past association with a consultancy it said the party had engaged. The statement did not name the consultancy or offer evidence for either claim.
“Such concerns cannot be dismissed or swept aside,” the statement said.
The Senate confirmed Weedor after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai nominated him to replace the commission’s former chairperson, who had resigned. Nimba County Sen. Samuel Kogar cast the only vote against the committee report recommending his approval. At his confirmation hearing, Weedor pledged to keep the commission independent and nonpartisan and to fully enforce Liberia’s electoral laws, rules and code of conduct.
The group also said there is a growing perception that the Liberia National Police is being positioned as “the ultimate enforcer of political and post-election order.” It pointed to Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, where it said three people were killed in February 2024 during a confrontation between protesters and security forces. Police at first denied reports of deaths but later confirmed two.
The statement listed other grievances without identifying the people or cases involved: the “alleged illegal ouster of a sitting Speaker,” the expulsion of a lawmaker for exercising free speech, selective justice in the fight against transnational drug trafficking, and violations of tenure laws.
“Together, these are not isolated incidents; they form a disturbing pattern of institutional erosion under the Boakai power structure,” the statement said.
STAND called on civil society organizations, opposition parties, journalists, professional associations, student and youth groups, and faith leaders to unite peacefully against what it described as the normalization of authoritarian practices.
“These principles cannot be defended in 2029 if they are surrendered in 2026,” the statement said.
Discussion about this post