The Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) at the University of Liberia (UL) has officially endorsed the planned July 17 nationwide protest.
The protest is organized by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND). SUP members called for an independent investigation into Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung over allegations linked to drug crisis.
SUP Secretary-General, David Howard Jr., told reporters that the movement was joining the protest, “because of the worsening economic hardship, growing unemployment and failures in governance.”
The organization, Howard said, believes the July 17 demonstration will provide an opportunity for Liberians to demand greater accountability from the government.
He also announced that SUP will organize its own “March for Jobs and Justice” on July 26 to further advocate for employment opportunities and improved governance.
July 26 is celebrated each year as the country’s Independence Day. It is on this Day; the students had planned to protest.
The student movement said rising prices of basic commodities, challenges facing the healthcare and education sectors, and what it termed institutional weakness have placed increasing pressure on ordinary Liberians.
SUP has meanwhile, called on citizens, labor unions, market women, youth groups, and other progressive organizations to participate in the July 17 protest in support of demands for transparency, accountability and improved public services.
On the issue of narcotics trafficking, SUP urged VP Koung to voluntarily submit to an “independent, international, and unrestricted investigation into the reported US$19.2 million cocaine seized at Roberts International Airport.”
The organization acknowledged that photographs circulating on social media showing Koung with individuals reportedly linked to the case do not, by themselves, constitute evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
However, it argued that the images have raised legitimate public concerns that require transparent investigation.
According to the statement, executive authority, political influence, or constitutional immunity should never be used to prevent legitimate criminal investigations.
SUP said, all public officials, regardless of their position, should remain subject to scrutiny when allegations arise against them.
The student movement also rejected the investigative report Liberia National Police released regarding the cocaine seizure.
They described it as “incomplete and lacked key details.”
SUP alleged that the police report failed to adequately explain a reported 48-hour delay in securing the cargo, omitted important financial and digital evidence, and did not identify any government officials or security personnel, who may have facilitated the shipment.
Police have announced that five suspects have been charged while four others remain at large.
Based on what it described as significant gaps in the investigation, SUP has called for the immediate dismissal of Gregory Coleman.
They argued that Coleman removal is necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation and restore public confidence in the Police.
