Monrovia  – The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has appealed to the Government of Liberia to place a temporary halt on all public protests during the festive season, arguing that demonstrations at this time of year could disturb national activities and create additional strain on public order.

By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The call was made by LCC Secretary General Reverend Dr. Christopher Toe during a press conference held in Monrovia over the weekend.

Reverend Toe explained that December traditionally brings increased public movement across the country, with citizens crowding marketplaces, shopping districts, and major streets as they prepare for Christmas. 

He noted that these activities, combined with religious crusades and year-end economic pressures, already place considerable demands on the public space. Introducing major demonstrations into such an environment, he said, could heighten congestion and lead to avoidable tension.

The LCC’s request specifically referenced the protest announced by the political pressure group Solidarity and Trust for A New Day, widely known as STAND. The group has scheduled a large demonstration for December 17 along the route connecting the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building, one of the busiest and most sensitive areas in the capital. 

Reverend Toe urged the organizers to postpone the event in the interest of what he described as preserving peace and ensuring that Liberians can observe the holiday season without fear of disruption.

But the LCC’s appeal has triggered a forceful reaction from STAND, which accused the Council of abandoning its independence and aligning itself with political power. In a statement signed by its chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, the group criticized the LCC for calling for the cancellation of the December 17 protest, asserting that the Council has lost its credibility and moral standing. 

The statement claimed that the LCC has failed to speak out on issues such as corruption, police abuses, economic hardship, and other national concerns, and is therefore in no position to challenge the rights of Liberians to gather peacefully.

STAND also rejected the idea that holiday activities should prevent citizens from expressing their constitutional rights. The group described the LCC’s argument as a misuse of religious authority intended to discourage civic participation. According to STAND, religious leaders who attempt to frame constitutional protest as disruptive simply because Christmas is near are not serving the interests of the people.

In its statement, STAND reiterated that the December 17 protest remains unchanged and will go ahead as announced. The group described the planned gathering as constitutional, legitimate, and essential for citizens who wish to voice their frustrations about growing national challenges. It emphasized that no institution, including the LCC, has the authority to suppress public expression under the guise of maintaining holiday calm.

The group further argued that the right to protest is fundamental and cannot be suspended for seasonal convenience. It urged Liberians not to be distracted by what it described as an effort to protect the government from public scrutiny during a sensitive period.

MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has extended congratulations to the Government and People of Liberia on the nation’s historic election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a Non-Permanent Member.

This milestone marks Liberia’s return to the Security Council for the first time in over six decades, since its previous tenure in 1964. The LCC described the moment not just as a diplomatic achievement, but as a symbol of national transformation.

“This is more than an achievement; it is a divine moment,” the LCC declared in an official statement by its Rev. Samuel B. Reeves. “It symbolizes the triumph of perseverance, the fruit of national sacrifice, and the promise of a new generation. Liberia’s voice will now echo in the chambers of global power—not as a subject of discussion, but as a contributor to the solutions the world seeks.”

The LCC called on all Liberians—from the hills of Lofa to the shores of Grand Kru—to embrace this opportunity with unity, reconciliation, and integrity. “Liberia’s seat on the Council must become a pulpit for peace, a platform for justice, and a beacon of hope for Africa,” the statement emphasized.

The Council also praised the leadership that paved the way for this achievement, commending President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his steady statesmanship and recognizing former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George M. Weah for laying the foundation for Liberia’s renewed global engagement.

In addition, the LCC expressed profound appreciation to the international community and the United Nations member states for placing their confidence in Liberia.

“This election is not the end—it is a beginning. Let us rise with humility, act with wisdom, and serve with courage,” the statement concluded.

About the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC):
The Liberia Council of Churches is a faith-based organization dedicated to fostering peace, justice, reconciliation, and unity through Christian witness and ecumenical collaboration.

Monrovia – The President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Dr. Samuel B Reeves, has warned political actors, notably Unity Party Standard Bearer Joseph and Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson, to refrain from making uncontrollable statements that could plunge the country back into its dark past.

By Jaheim T. Tumu – jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Dr. Reeves emphasized that the LCC believes Senator Johnson’s past record cannot be taken for granted and, therefore, warned that such statements undermine and threaten the peace of Liberia.

He further stated that these utterances are counterproductive to the country’s peace and called on those beating the drums of war to cease their actions and address their grievances in court if they feel offended.

Dr. Reeves stated, “In our view, Senator Johnson’s statement is a threat to the state, and as such, he must summon the emotional fortitude to denounce it. Let Senator Johnson and his ilk be reminded that the days when Liberians were mistreated in the name of revolution, damaging the country, are long gone.”

On September 18, Senator Johnson of vote-rich Nimba County, an ally of former Vice President Boakai, threatened a people’s revolt, comparing it to the Arab Spring, should the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) attempt to manipulate the election results.

However, he did not provide reasons for his suspicion of vote-rigging but alluded to members of the CDC making statements like, “They’ll take it.”

Senator Johnson stated, “Before the October elections, Liberians are coming out under the banner ‘Don’t Try It’ – any attempt, the people’s power would be exercised like the Arab Spring. You’ll shoot your gun; you’ll kill us or you’ll die. No more fear, Liberians don’t have fear anymore.”

Over the weekend, at a Unity Party campaign rally in Buchanan, former Vice President Boakai warned that it would be the end of Liberia if the ruling CDC stole the election.

“…that’s why you need to protect it. If they think they’ll steal this election, you will not allow it because if they do, that’s the end of this country,” said the 78-year-old former Vice President on his campaign trail.

Dr. Reeves emphasized the documented statements originating from political actors that have the potential to instill fear among Liberians as they prepare for the October 10 elections.

He categorized these statements as reckless and heartless, undermining the stability of the state.

Dr. Reeves stated, “Senator Johnson, as a man of God, in our view, should be using his pulpit to preach peace to Liberians instead of sowing seeds of war.”

“As a former warlord, the council, in its candid opinion, will not condone any reckless and heartless statement that threatens our peace, especially from now-repentant Prince Johnson. Liberia is a land of law, and if a Senator feels cheated, the next course of action is the court, where grievances are addressed.”

He emphasized, “What also surprises us is that a respected statesman, Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai, would repeat such a call. Ambassador Boakai, a former Vice President and an eminent statesman on a campaign trail in LAC, Grand Bassa County, is quoted as saying, ‘If they cheat in these elections, there will be an end to this country.'”

“This statement from the former Vice President is counterproductive and must be condemned by both his supporters and all Liberians. These unwarranted pronouncements undermine the stability of our peace and should not come from people of such esteemed status.”

Dr. Reeves also described the reckless statement attributed to Representative Yekeh Kolubah, who threatened to return to the bush if he is cheated.

According to him, the Montserrado District #10 Lawmaker should refrain from making these kinds of threats and seek legal redress.

“We again call on the Montserrado County lawmaker to desist from threatening the peace and seek the court in search of justice. Let us not threaten the peace and stability of the land.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Reeves called on the CDC-led government and the opposition Unity Party to abstain from making utterances about a one-round victory.

He stated that the constant and repeated assurances to partisans and supporters by these two parties have the potential to raise their expectations that they would win the elections on the first ballot.

“Currently, the National Commission has qualified twenty Presidential Candidates to contest these elections, and the possibility of a first-round victory by any political party must be taken with care and caution,” he said.

He added, “We call on these two Parties, the CDC and the UP, to leave the results and pronouncements to the NEC, which has the constitutional power to announce and declare elections based on proven, evidenced, and statistically-based reports. Our calls to the CDC and the UP are primarily intended to stop giving assurances to their supporters that they can win the elections on the first ballot.”