CAPITOL HILL — Bomi County Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe says his life is in danger and the Ministry of Information will have blood on its hands if anything happens to him.
The senator’s warning follows a fiery accusation from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), which claims Snowe is plotting to destabilize the Boakai administration by leveraging his influence in the ECOWAS Parliament.
In a May 24 statement, MICAT accused the former House Speaker of vowing to make Liberia ungovernable, discourage foreign investment, and ensure the government’s failure until he becomes president.
Snowe, who also chairs ECOWAS’ Committee on Security and Conflict Resolution, fired back Tuesday, May 27, in a formal communication to the Senate plenary, describing MICAT’s charge as reckless, politically motivated, and potentially deadly.
“The government, through MICAT, has accused me of treason—an extremely serious charge under our Constitution,” he said. “Treason, according to the 1986 Constitution, is punishable by death or life imprisonment.”
The senator vehemently denied the allegation, calling it a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation and incite public hostility. He warned that such political targeting revives Liberia’s violent past, where opponents were silenced through imprisonment or death.
He clarified that his previous remarks about hoping the current administration would serve only one term were simply political commentary—not an act of treason.
CDC Condemns ‘Political Persecution’
The allegation has triggered a strong reaction from the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), which issued a stinging condemnation of the Boakai administration’s actions.
In an official statement signed by CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga A. Kowo, the party described the MICAT declaration as “a reckless and unconstitutional act aimed at silencing dissent and consolidating political control.”
“The government’s baseless declaration of Senator Snowe as a ‘national security threat,’ absent any credible evidence, is a dangerous maneuver that violates Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution,” the CDC said, referencing the provision guaranteeing freedom of expression and political participation.
The CDC accused the Boakai administration of exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and using state institutions to harass and intimidate opposition voices. The statement also recalled what it described as the administration’s role in undermining former Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah’s ECOWAS appointment as Special Representative to Freetown.
“These acts form part of a broader trend of unconstitutional conduct,” the CDC continued, citing President Boakai’s handling of the recent legislative crisis and alleged defiance of Supreme Court rulings.
The party called for:
- An immediate retraction of the allegations against Senator Snowe.
- A public apology to Snowe and the Liberian people.
- An end to the weaponization of state institutions against political opponents.
The CDC also urged ECOWAS, the African Union, and international partners to closely monitor what it called a growing pattern of political repression in Liberia.
“We hold the government accountable for the safety and security of Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe as the unfounded allegations against him constitute a serious threat to his person,” the CDC concluded.
Threats and Family Safety Concerns
Since MICAT’s statement, Snowe said he and his family—including his 90-year-old mother—have received threats. He said the stress from the situation has affected her health, raising her blood pressure and placing her at risk.
“My life is being threatened, Mr. Vice President,” he said during the Senate session. “This is not politics—this is about my life.”
He added that foreign diplomats have reached out to inquire about the allegations and whether he was truly plotting to overthrow the government.
Senate Protection and Investigation Demanded
Snowe requested Senate protection and called for an impartial investigation. He proposed two possible outcomes:
— If found guilty, he said, he is willing to be recused and prosecuted.
— If found innocent, he demanded that MICAT retract its statement and issue a public apology.
“If I’m guilty, let me face the consequences. If I’m not, MICAT must retract and apologize,” he said.
Senate President and Vice President Jeremiah Koung assured Snowe that his safety is guaranteed under the Constitution. He also cautioned public officials to act within legal limits when making public statements.
Senate Committee to Investigate
The Senate has referred Snowe’s communication to its Joint Committee on the Judiciary and Executive. The motion, introduced by River Gee County Sen. Francis Dopoe, mandates the committee to report its findings within two weeks.
Snowe Rejects ECOWAS Allegations
Snowe challenged Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando to present evidence of the “intelligence” MICAT claimed to have obtained implicating him in a destabilization plot.
“In Liberia, when people want to lie, they say they have ‘intelligence,’” Snowe said. “That’s easy to say, but hard to prove.”
He also confirmed that he has formally informed ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations and other international bodies about what he called a disturbing trend of political intimidation in Liberia.
“This is bigger than me now. It’s about safeguarding Liberia’s democratic order,” Snowe said.
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