-Over Allegations of Lawlessness and Abuse of Power
Monrovia, Liberia; August 17, 2024 – The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), a civil society organization in Liberia, has called on President Joseph N. Boakai to dismiss Josiah Joekai, the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA). STAND accuses Joekai of neglecting his duties and fostering an environment of lawlessness that undermines the stability and peace of Liberia.
In a statement released today, STAND expressed deep concern over Joekai’s conduct, which they believe distracts from the essential functions of the government. Established in 1973, the CSA is charged with managing Liberia’s human resources, including career development, recruitment, and training. However, STAND claims that under Joekai’s leadership, the agency has devolved into what they describe as a “social media police agency,” where the posts and comments of citizens are monitored to determine their standing within the civil service.
“It is absolutely disappointing that Mr. Joekai would ignore the importance of his role and reduce the civil service to a mere tool for surveillance and intimidation,” said a STAND spokesperson. The organization argues that such actions represent a significant decline in public service standards and call for immediate intervention from the President and other stakeholders to safeguard the CSA’s independence.
STAND further raised alarms over reports that Joekai has allegedly instructed government officials to dismiss civil servants who voice criticism of the Office of the President. These actions, STAND asserts, are unlawful and detrimental to Liberia’s democratic principles. The organization emphasizes that dismissing civil servants for expressing personal views constitutes a violation of their constitutional rights to free speech and expression.
“This trend signals a troubling shift toward authoritarianism, where dissent is suppressed, and freedom of expression is stifled,” the statement read. STAND highlighted Liberia’s tumultuous history, cautioning against a return to an era where individuals faced intimidation or violence for exercising their rights.
In light of these developments, STAND has urged President Boakai to confront the challenges posed by individuals like Joekai, whose behavior they believe tarnishes the image of the presidency. While the organization condemns any insults directed at the Office of the President, it stresses the importance of distinguishing between constructive criticism and baseless attacks.
STAND maintains that every citizen has the right to offer constructive feedback on government policies, while also denouncing the use of profanity and insults, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. The organization views this trend as detrimental to national dialogue.
Moreover, STAND warns that the dismissal of civil servants for political disagreements or criticisms constitutes an abuse of power and undermines the principles of good governance that President Boakai has vowed to uphold. They argue that Joekai’s actions appear to be politically motivated, suggesting a troubling alignment with partisan interests rather than a commitment to serving the government and people of Liberia impartially.
As a result, STAND has called for urgent intervention from President Boakai to address these issues, emphasizing the need for fairness and impartiality within the CSA. The organization also seeks to ensure that those wrongfully dismissed receive appropriate redress, countering the perception that the President condones such reckless behavior.
In a show of solidarity, STAND has invited all unlawfully dismissed civil servants and government employees to a major consultative meeting scheduled for the coming week. The information gathered during this meeting will be instrumental in strengthening STAND’s position as they prepare to formally present their concerns to President Boakai.
