-Pres. Boakai Urges Liberians, As He Launches Anti-Mob Justice Campaign
By Jerromie S. Walters
Sinkor, Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has urged Liberians to reject mob violence and allow the justice system to function, emphasizing that such acts threaten the nation’s stability and economic growth. President Boakai warned that mob justice poses a danger to all citizens.
The Liberian Leader spoke at the launch of the government’s Anti-Mob Justice Campaign on Saturday, April 19, 2025. The National Anti-Mob Justice Campaign is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Liberia Chamber of Commerce and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is intended to curb vigilante violence and strengthen the rule of law.
It comes amid a surge in vigilante attacks, including recent lynchings in Weala, Paynesville, and other parts of the country that have left communities traumatized and authorities scrambling to restore order. Considering this, the president urged Liberians: “Give the law a chance,” he urged, stressing that no one is safe when extrajudicial violence prevails. “Mob violence can hunt anybody,” he added. The Liberian president also highlighted the economic consequences of mob actions, noting that they discourage investment and job creation.
His words: “We cannot create jobs when you are driving the job creators away,” he said, underscoring the need for a secure environment to attract investors. President Boakai reaffirmed his office’s support for the Justice Ministry’s efforts to combat mob violence. “We are on board with you. We will work with you,” he assured. He also called on law enforcement to uphold professionalism, stating, “We have to tell our police to respect the people.”
To ensure a nationwide impact, the President pushed for the campaign’s expansion beyond the capital. “Let’s take it out of Monrovia,” he urged, stressing the need for decentralization to address mob justice across Liberia. Reflecting on societal attitudes, President Boakai expressed concern over the lack of empathy among citizens. “We don’t care for people. We have learned to know that everybody is important,” he said, calling for a collective shift in mindset.
Reiterating his administration’s focus on national development, he stated, “We are here to build this country.” He further clarified, “This government is not here to do presidency,” emphasizing action over political rhetoric. The President also stressed the need for investment in education and social services as long-term solutions to reducing violence.
Addressing tensions with motorcyclists—many of whom have protested the government’s “no-go zone” policy in central Monrovia—President Boakai extended an olive branch. “We are not against you. We are planning for your betterment. Just give us a chance,” he said. Motorcyclists have also frequently been linked to mob occurrences.
A “cancer” eating away at the nation’s democracy
In a special statement on Saturday, Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, declared an urgent characterized mob Justice as a “cancer” eating away at the nation’s democracy and rule of law. Minister Tweh framed the crisis in stark terms: “When citizens take justice into their own hands, they don’t just break the law—they break the bonds that hold Liberia together.”
He recounted grisly cases where mobs—fueled by rumors or petty disputes—tortured and killed alleged offenders, sometimes burning victims alive. *”No society can prosper where the streets run red with innocent blood,” he warned. The Justice Ministry’s internal reports reveal chilling statistics: a 217% spike in mob attacks since 2023, with at least 46 fatalities last year alone.
Behind the numbers lie harrowing stories—like the Weala market trader lynched over a false witchcraft accusation, or the Paynesville teenager set ablaze for allegedly stealing a phone. Experts trace the violence to a toxic mix of judicial distrust, economic despair, and viral misinformation. “When people lose faith in courts and see no jobs or hope, the mob becomes their judge and executioner,” admitted a senior police official speaking anonymously.
The newly launched National Anti-Mob Violence Campaign will deploy a dual strategy: Community Engagement: Grassroots dialogues, radio talk shows, and workshops with groups like the Liberia Motorcycle Union aim to rebuild trust in legal institutions. UNDP-funded “peace committees” will mediate local disputes It also considers Iron-Fist Enforcement: Security forces will establish rapid-response units to disperse mobs, while prosecutors pursue mandatory 20-year sentences for vigilante ringleaders.
“We’ll treat mob killings like terrorism cases,” Minister Tweh vowed. President Boakai’s administration is staking its reputation on the effort, with the Justice Minister issuing an unprecedented warning: “To those inciting mobs—we’re watching. To citizens—your safety hinges on rejecting violence. Liberia’s future hangs in the balance.”
Stakeholders Rally Public Support
Like the President and the Justice Minister, key stakeholders—including the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, the National Bar Association, the Press Union of Liberia, the Road Transport Union, the Yana Boys Association, and others—have emphasized the significance of the campaign and called for public cooperation.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, urged a collective effort to ensure the campaign’s success. She described the anti-mob justice initiative as both timely and necessary, noting that Liberia remains a traumatized nation due to its 14-year civil conflict. “We are a traumatized country, and we need to heal,” she stressed.
The campaign launch featured impactful activities, including an awareness parade from the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters to the Saye Town Community Field, musical performances by local artists with anti-mob messages, dramatic skits depicting mob violence and proper responses to crime, and audio plays spreading awareness in various Liberian vernaculars.
The Ministry of Justice of Liberia which is leading this initiative, is generally responsible for providing “effective, efficient and excellent public safety and legal services which promote the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of the public and uphold the interest of the government and people of the Republic of Liberia.”
