Human rights lawyer, Counselor Tiawan Saye Gongloe (TSG), has strongly criticized President Joseph Boakai over recent comments urging Liberians not to take their problems to outsiders.
Gongloe’s remarks followed Pres. Boakai’s comment about citizens to stop carrying the country’s problems to outsiders.
Gongloe described the comment as complaining about criticism.
He reminded Boakai that he himself was a prominent critic of former President George Weah’s administration before taking office in 2024 as the President.
“Criticism was legitimate then, it cannot become illegitimate today, merely because the critic has become President.”
Gongloe further stated that criticism is “the soul of democracy.”
He pointed to the long history of public dissent by figures such as Albert Porte, and Gabriel Baccus Matthews.
He cited a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that reversed some of Boakai’s nominations as an example of why public scrutiny matters.
Gongloe recalled how he has criticized many governments, and being criticized in turn, adding: “Peaceful disagreement helps democracy.”
“My advice to you, Mr. President, is to let the people talk. Don’t complain. Listen! Correct what is wrong. Explain where the government disagrees.”
He noted that criticism is not the enemy of democracy, but silence is the one, instead.
Gongloe described silence as a “very dangerous enemy to free society.”
Courtesy: IPNEWS
