Over eighty-one members of Liberia’s have accused President Joseph Boakai’s administration of neglect and mismanagement of finances, pointing to their unpaid salaries for the past seven months. The council’s leaders, who function under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), argue that their financial struggles are pushing them toward extreme actions, including traditional protests featuring the ‘Country Devil.’ The dispute revolves around Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin, whom the leaders claim has instructed that their salaries be suspended.
The disenchanted elders stated that they received regular payments under former Chief Zanzan Karwor but have not been compensated since his ousting in August 2024. In an interview with Verity News, one elder remarked, “We checked with the Civil Service Agency and confirmed that we are still employees, yet Minister Nyumalin has directed the Ministry of Finance to withhold our salaries, putting us in a very difficult situation.” Minister Nyumalin announced Chief Karwor’s removal as part of a local governance reform initiative. However, this change has left the traditional leaders without a clear channel to voice their grievances or secure their payments. Despite Vice President Jeremiah KpanKoung’s request for resolution, no advancements have been made. The leaders have reached out to prominent lawmakers, including House Speaker Fonati Koffa and Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, but their communications have gone unanswered. Now, the chiefs and elders are threatening to invoke the ‘Country Devil,’ a powerful cultural symbol, if their issues are not addressed. Samuel Borbor, a special assistant to the council, expressed their desperation, stating, “We don’t want to take to the streets, but we are left with no choice. Our children cannot go to school, landlords are demanding rent, and we are in distress.” Borbor further criticized Minister Nyumalin for allegedly abusing his power. “The Minister is unjustly withholding our salaries, using his connection to the President to evade responsibility. Offering us only three months’ pay after seven months of work is completely unacceptable. The traditional community is prepared to take action if this situation continues.” The leaders have directly appealed to President Boakai for intervention in their predicament. “We are peaceful individuals, not troublemakers, but this situation is deeply unfair. We urge President Boakai to address this issue before it escalates beyond control,” Borbor concluded. The unresolved issues not only threaten to incite protests but also risk exacerbating social tensions in Liberia. This situation highlights broader challenges in local governance and raises alarms about the administration’s commitment to the welfare of traditional authorities. Below is NACCEL’s Open Letter to the public: We, the members of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NACCEL), wish to inform the public that due to the refusal of the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Francis S. Nyumalin to pay our salaries, we are left with no choice but to take immediate action. As of now, the NACCEL have transitioned to a new institution as NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS – REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. Therefore, the Internal Affairs Minister Mr. Francis S. Nyumalin has no authority or legitimate reason to withhold our rightful compensation for their own selfish and personal gain. Our commitment to serving our communities and country is unwavering, but we cannot continue to work without the basic respect and resources owed to us. We stand united in demanding what is rightfully ours, and as a result, NACCEL will soon be staging a protest to make our voices heard. This message serves as an official notice to the general public of the upcoming protest. We urge everyone to stand with us in solidarity for fairness and justice. Thank you for your understanding and support. Source: monrovialatest.news.blog
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