LIBERIA IS FACING a critical and urgent crisis as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s government increasingly exhibits authoritarian tendencies that threaten the very foundations of our democracy.
THE RECENT SUSPENSION of Madam Davidetta Brown-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), is a stark manifestation of a regime willing to disregard constitutional norms to silence dissent and centralize power.
THIS SUSPENSION IS not merely an administrative decision; it is a direct attack on the independence of one of our most vital democratic institutions, NEC.
MADAM BROWNE-LANSANAH’S leadership during the 2023 elections earned her respect both domestically and internationally.
BY OUSTING HER WITHOUT following proper legal procedures, Boakai is sending a chilling message: disagreement will not be tolerated, and those who challenge his authority will pay the price
WE ARE WITNESSING A disturbing pattern of escalating violence, intimidation, and repression under Boakai’s administration.
REPORTS OF ASSAULTS on legislators and attacks on journalists illustrate a government that increasingly views accountability as a threat rather than a necessity.
THIS ENVIRONMENT OF fear stifles free expression and erodes public trust in governance, risking a descent into authoritarian rule reminiscent of Liberia’s darkest days.
THE RULE OF LAW Legislative Caucus has rightly condemned this unconstitutional action, yet mere condemnation is not enough. The time for action is now.
THE SILENCE OF the public and international community in the face of these developments could signal consent, allowing this government to continue its dangerous path unchecked.
CITIZENS, CIVIL SOCIETY, and political leaders must unite to resist these undemocratic maneuvers.
LIBERIA’S HARD-WON democratic gains are at stake. Citizens must demand accountability from a government that seems intent on dismantling the very institutions that protect our rights and freedoms.
THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES of inaction are dire. If Boakai is allowed to continue down this path, we risk returning to an era where power is wielded without regard for law or justice.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING the United States and regional bodies, must also act decisively to support the preservation of Liberia’s democracy. The world is watching, and now is the moment to stand firm against tyranny.
A clear and united front is essential to pressure the Boakai administration to respect constitutional processes and uphold democratic principles. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated.
LIBERIANS MUST MOBILIZE and make their voices heard before it is too late. The future of our democracy hangs in the balance, and every moment counts. We must act now to protect our rights, our institutions, and our nation from the clutches of authoritarianism.
THE TIME FOR complacency is over, let us rise together to defend our democracy with unwavering resolve.
