-Following what it terms as an “unprovoked attack” on its headquarters
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Liberia’s main opposition party, has complained President Joseph Boakai’s administration to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), drawing its attention to recent riot at its headquarters between supporters of the party and Liberian security forces.
The incident, which occurred on August 22, 2024, has raised alarms about the state of democracy and political freedoms in the country under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
In a letter addressed to H.E. Omar Alieu Turay, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), CDC Political Leader George Manneh Weah Sr. characterized the police action as a “premeditated and callous act of violence” aimed at undermining the political opposition. Weah stated, “This latest attack is part of a disturbing trend by the Boakai Administration to trample upon political freedoms and stoke tension in the country.”
The CDC’s headquarters was reportedly stormed by heavily armed police, who fired both lethal and non-lethal rounds at unarmed civilians gathered in support of the party. Weah lamented the conflicting accounts provided by security agencies regarding the motives behind the raid, suggesting a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth. “The only ‘crime’ of our supporters was their unwavering loyalty to the CDC,” he asserted.
This incident follows a similar police operation earlier in the month, on August 5, when security forces breached the CDC compound. Weah accused President Boakai of orchestrating these aggressive actions to diminish the party’s political influence ahead of future elections. “We know that these brazen acts of aggression are under the instruction of President Joseph Boakai himself,” he claimed, emphasizing the need for accountability.
The letter also highlighted a broader pattern of repression, including the harassment and purging of civil servants perceived to be aligned with the CDC. “While the CDC has demonstrated its utmost regard for peace and the rule of law, we refuse to sit idly by and watch these transgressions persist,” Weah declared. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of party members currently detained on what he described as “trumped-up charges.”
Weah expressed concern over the current political climate, stating, “President Boakai has apparently been overtaken by absolute power, and we know where that leads as our history is replete with examples.” He urged ECOWAS to take proactive diplomatic measures to safeguard Liberia’s democracy, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.
In a defiant tone, Weah reiterated the CDC’s commitment to remaining a formidable political force in Liberia, despite threats from the government. “We make it abundantly clear that the party is here to stay and will continue to remain a vibrant political force,” he affirmed. “We will utilize every right guaranteed by the constitution to ensure that we are not erased.”
The CDC is calling on both national and international stakeholders to pay close attention to the deteriorating political situation in Liberia. Weah concluded his letter with a plea for cooperation in maintaining peace and upholding democratic principles, stating, “We will not tolerate our rights being abused.”
