Liberia’s political temperature is heating up as a coalition of opposition parties and advocacy groups issue a firm ultimatum to President Joseph NyumaBoakai, demanding that he withdraw his recent remarks perceived to undermine a Supreme Court ruling—or face a wave of mass civil action.
The coalition includes the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Alternative National Congress (ANC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), the CDC Council of Patriots (CDC-CoP), and STAND, a civic advocacy group led by MulbahMorlu. The group is protesting President Boakai’s continued cooperation with a breakaway legislative group headed by Representative Richard Koon, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling deeming that faction illegal.
The President, during a national address last Thursday, justified his collaboration with the Koon-led group on grounds of ensuring a functional quorum in the House of Representatives. But opposition leaders say the move violates constitutional order and undermines the authority of the country’s highest court.
Speaking at a press briefing, Atty. Janga A. Kowo, Acting Chairman of the CDC, warned the President to reverse his stance by Tuesday or face widespread mobilization. “President Boakai is not above the law. His disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling is reckless and dangerous,” Kowo asserted. He also called for the full restoration of Speaker J. FonatiKoffa’s security detail.
“What sustains your presidency is not the military or the police—it is the will of the Liberian people,” Kowo added. “From now to Tuesday, we will be on our feet. We will mobilize the people to defend our democracy.”
Lafayette Horatio Gould, Acting Chairman of the ANC, stressed that the opposition is united and monitoring all constitutional violations committed under the Boakai administration. “There’s no alternative to governance outside the rule of law. This government cannot expect legitimacy while ignoring a Supreme Court ruling,” Gould warned.
The CDC-CoP, a vocal, youth-driven political pressure group, pledged to escalate civil actions if President Boakai fails to adhere to the ruling. Their message was clear: the youth will not remain silent in the face of what they consider a creeping constitutional crisis.
Although top leaders of the political parties were absent from the event, organizers confirmed their presence is expected at the next public engagement, signaling full leadership backing for the growing resistance.
With Tuesday set as the deadline for the President to recant, the coming days may determine whether the Boakai administration can ease tensions or face a reinvigorated opposition movement pushing back against what they see as constitutional overreach.
Report Liberia