CDC Leader, George Weah Vows to Resist Unity Party’s ‘Weaponization’ of Judiciary
Monrovia, Liberia – In a fiery speech on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, former Liberian President George Manneh Weah denounced the Unity Party (UP) administration for ordering the unlawful detention of several former government officials. The move, which Weah described as a “political maneuver,” has sparked widespread controversy and raised concerns about the state of democracy in Liberia.
On the night of July 29, heavily armed security personnel detained four former members of the National Security Council without any grand jury indictment. Weah criticized the Boakai administration for what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to undermine the rule of law and target the opposition, particularly the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
“This is the latest transgression of the Boakai Administration in their callous attempt to undermine the rule of law and security of the state,” Weah stated. He went on to list a series of grievances against the UP administration, including harassment and removal of civil servants based on party affiliation, excessive use of force resulting in deaths, non-prosecution of election-related violence, disregard for tenure laws, and violations of procurement laws.
Weah also highlighted the recent attempt by President Boakai to remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, describing it as an illegal act that violates the institution’s founding act. “The President again showed to the nation that he is not a man who respects the rule of law,” Weah asserted.
In his speech, Weah assured the public that the CDC would resist these moves by the UP using all legal and political means available. “The Unity Party can be assured that the CDC will use all legal and political means at its disposal to resist this move to weaponize the country’s judicial system to its selfish advantage,” he declared.
Weah also defended his record as president, emphasizing his administration’s achievements in preserving peace and security, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed pride in advancing the fight against corruption by granting the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) direct prosecutorial powers. “To sustain and further advance this fight, we should not allow anyone to erode the gains we have made,” he emphasized.
Accusing the Boakai administration of cherry-picking audit reports to target officials from his administration, Weah called for fairness and transparency in the fight against corruption. “Skipping previous GAC audit reports and cherry-picking to target only officials of my administration undermines the fight against corruption,” he warned.
Weah lamented that the UP’s actions threaten Liberia’s peace and stability, which has been maintained for over 20 years. He urged fellow Liberians to resist any attempts to disturb the nation’s peace and stability. “For the UP administration to exploit our legal system and risk fomenting chaos, it tells you to what extent some politicians are willing to go just to maintain power,” he said.
He called on other opposition members to join the CDC in preserving Liberia’s political system and assured that the party would utilize its full resources to counter the UP’s actions. “The CDC remains a party of law and order and will bring its full and immense political resources to bear to stop the Unity Party in its tracks,” he pledged.
Weah concluded his speech by invoking the words of Nelson Mandela: “It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity, or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.” He urged all Liberians to resist any attempts by the Boakai administration to disturb the nation’s peace and stability.
As Liberia faces this political turmoil, the nation’s attention now turns to how the Boakai administration will respond to these serious allegations and the mounting pressure from the opposition.
Liberian-born Emmanuel Orlind Cooper is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience covering news and stories on a variety of media platforms. Orlind's work frequently demonstrates his profound grasp of the region and its complexity, given his Liberian heritage.
Now residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, he keeps connecting with readers across continents with his perceptive journalism and sharing his viewpoint. He is well-respected in the sector because of his unwavering commitment to honesty and morality, which sets him apart in the field.
Orlind's work is more than simply his job; it's a dedication to giving voice to the voiceless, illuminating unsung tales, and advancing the worldwide conversation on important concerns. His goal as a journalist is to use the media's power to change the world, not just to disseminate information. He is a key player in modern journalism because of the inspiration, education, and engagement that his work consistently provides.