The Opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has strongly criticized the ruling Unity Party (UP) government for failing to uphold democracy in Liberia during the past year.
In response to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address to the 55th Legislature, the opposition party, through its Acting Secretary-General Jeremiah Paye, expressed concerns on Wednesday that the Boakai administration is undermining Liberia’s democracy, as well as the freedoms of speech and assembly.
“It is extremely alarming that, throughout President Boakai’s first year in office, his government has been cracking down on opposition voices simply because they disagree with him,” Paye stated.
He accused the government of making unlawful dismissals, highlighting several young people who were relieved of their positions at the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and various ministries, agencies, and commissions.
According to Paye, these youths were wrongfully terminated from their government jobs due to their political affiliations and expressions of their viewpoints.
Paye condemned the government for police brutality against elected representatives and peaceful protesters who oppose the administration’s undemocratic actions. He also criticized the government for issuing threats against judges regarding their judicial decisions and raised concerns about serious allegations of torture involving individuals in state security custody, describing these actions as characteristic of a tyrannical regime.
Paye labeled President Boakai as a dictator and tyrant, claiming that he is interfering with the independent functions of the judiciary and legislature, instilling fear in opposition figures through state mechanisms, and effectively imposing a ban on the freedom of assembly, which is guaranteed by the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
During the press conference, MOVEE Acting Secretary-General Paye further condemned the government for neglecting the rule of law, declaring the State of the Nation Address to be falsehood and a mockery of the Liberian people.
The opposition party also criticized the government for rampant corruption, accusing the Boakai-Koung administration of mismanaging over US$15 million in off-budget expenditures.
They pointed to unaccounted funds, including US$2.3 million listed as miscellaneous, US$1.1 million spent on vehicles for the President and Vice President, and US$100,000 placed on the President’s debt card. The party also mentioned dubious transactions involving yellow machines, referred to as the “Yellow Machine Boakai Gate,” along with alterations to the 2024 National Budget and the unjustified passage and manipulation of the 2025 National Budget, among other issues.
