Monrovia – Mulbah K. Morlu, Chairman of the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), has criticized President Joseph Boakai’s administration over what he described as a “ruthless war on the poor” through an ongoing wave of demolitions affecting low-income communities across Liberia.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
In a statement issued on behalf of STAND and the ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ Movement, Morlu condemned what he called the government’s silence amid the destruction of homes in areas such as Congo Town, Cotton Tree, Battery Factory, Bushrod Island, Neezoe, and Somalia Drive.
He accused the administration of using the pretext of development to displace vulnerable families without due process or compassion.
“This is not land development; it is a ruthless assault on the poor, fueled by greed and protected by the impunity of the powerful,” Morlu declared. He further alleged that corrupt judges are facilitating the evictions, and named Matthew T. Sakeuh as a central figure in the land dispute, reportedly with backing from Vice President Jeremiah Koung.
According to Morlu, the pattern of demolitions shows a disturbing bias: “While the courts are being weaponized against the poor, the properties of the rich and well-connected—like George Kailondo’s complex in Congo Town—remain untouched.”
Calling for peaceful resistance, the STAND chairman urged residents of affected communities to confront any demolition efforts with nonviolent defiance. “Whenever a Boakai bulldozer appears, we urge every Liberian to rise in peaceful but unbreakable resistance. If needed, STAND will place our bodies before the machines,” he said.
Morlu also demanded the immediate release of peaceful protesters arrested during recent demolitions, describing their detention as a violation of justice and human rights. He called on authorities to end what he described as “illegal oppression” and restore dignity to displaced families.
Ahead of the planned “Enough is Enough” protest on July 17, Morlu issued a rallying cry to Liberians nationwide: “The Day of the People is coming. We will not back down. We will fight—peacefully but powerfully—for justice, equity, and true land reform.”
STAND also appealed to humanitarian agencies to support internally displaced families affected by the demolitions, citing urgent and worsening living conditions in the wake of the evictions.
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