“As the 14-Day Deadline Approaches, STAND Calls for Urgent Action from President Boakai Following His Admission of Liberia’s Deepening Hardship
The Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), in alliance with WE THE PEOPLE Movement and collaborating organizations—the architects of the historic July 17 “Enough is Enough” Protest—take firm note of President Joseph Boakai’s belated admission of the worsening hardship and skyrocketing prices suffocating ordinary Liberians.
This public confession, though overdue, is a clear validation of the grievances echoed by tens of thousands of Liberians who took to the streets on July 17. In this context, we issue a renewed and uncompromising call for President Boakai to cast aside the cloak of pride, reject the arrogance of power, and immediately comply with the people’s legitimate demands to arrest the deepening economic crisis.
Moreover, President Boakai’s admission exposes the dishonesty of the Central Bank’s false claims of economic stability, confirming that ordinary Liberians have been deliberately misinformed and misled.
While we urge President Boakai to act with urgency, let it be made unmistakably clear that the Liberian people are not pleading for favors. They are asserting their right to justice, accountability, and immediate action—because their survival, safety, and security require it.
We caution the President to beware that the era of evasions, false promises, and empty rhetoric is over. The demand for bold and decisive leadership is now unavoidable. This demand will be pursued peacefully, but without fear, without retreat, and without compromise.
Henceforth, despite President Boakai’s dismissive mockery and his brazen efforts to belittle and trivialize the significance of the July 17 mass protest, his own remarks during the Independence Day ceremony have unintentionally echoed an unshakable truth: “Truth crushed to the ground shall rise again.” His admission stands as undeniable proof that the grievances voiced by the Liberian people on July 17 cannot—and will not—be silenced, buried, or ignored.
The President must now break free from the toxic echo chamber of his inner circle, reject their dangerous misguidance, and come to terms with a sobering reality: underestimating the people’s demands, as powerfully articulated in our protest petition, is a grave political miscalculation—one that will only deepen public resistance.
Furthermore, STAND in concert with WE THE PEOPLE Movement and allied organizations, firmly acknowledges the courageous stance of Liberia’s 178th Independence Day Orator, Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn, whose bold call for President Boakai to take governance seriously and to “Fire corrupt officials” is both timely and necessary. His words echo the core demands of the July 17 Petition, which calls for the immediate dismissal of corrupt officials and human rights violators entrenched within the Boakai-led administration.
This pivotal moment makes one fact abundantly clear: the cry for drastic governance reforms has grown beyond the tens of thousands who rose up on July 17—it has become a national demand. Even President Boakai’s own words now betray an unwilling confession that his weak, indecisive leadership is plunging Liberia into a worsening crisis.
As we await the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to President Boakai to address the people’s demands, we reiterate with utmost urgency: the President must accept the petition in good faith and immediately commence the full implementation of its 13 valid counts.
Let there be no illusions—failure to act will not weaken the people’s resolve. On the contrary, it will ignite an even stronger, broader, and more determined movement to escalate the fight for justice, accountability, and real change.
In closing, and as a formal reminder, we hereby resubmit the Petition once more to President Joseph Boakai for his immediate attention and action:
- Immediate dismissal and prosecution of all government officials named in credible reports of corruption, abuse of office, and public theft.
- Independent audit and criminal investigation of the National Security Agency (NSA), Ministry of Public Works, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC), National Port Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Mines & Energy.
- Dismissal and prosecution of Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, along with all security chiefs responsible for police brutality, unlawful killings, and suppression of civil liberties.
- Full public disclosure of all mining, port, and national budget contracts signed since January 2024, including concession agreements and foreign investment deals.
- An independent review of all violations of tenured positions, and strict enforcement of constitutional protections for tenure, land rights, and civic freedoms—including the rights to protest, organize, and speak freely.
- Implementation of emergency economic measures to create jobs, expand healthcare and education, and restore hope and opportunity for Liberia’s youth.
- Immediate lifting of unlawful restrictions on the free movement of all motorbike and kehkeh (tricycle) riders nationwide, especially in Montserrado County.
- An end to political witch-hunts targeting civil servants based on perceived opposition affiliation, ethnic identity, or religious belief.
- Urgent measures to address the skyrocketing cost of living, including an increase in the minimum wage and a living wage guarantee for all civil servants.
- Prioritization of healthcare in the national budget, ensuring that hospitals are well-equipped, properly staffed, and accessible to all Liberians.
- An independent investigation into credible allegations of bribery and corruption involving Richard Koung and others in connection with the unlawful removal of House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, to uncover the truth and ensure full accountability.
We submit the following as additional counts to the original petition:
- Conduct an independent audit of the National Legislature, with full public disclosure of all appropriations, salaries, and constituency spending, to restore public trust, transparency, and fiscal discipline in Liberia’s democratic institutions.
- Amend the 2023 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to explicitly establish criminal liability for all air carriers, maritime shipping lines, and freight companies whose vessels, aircraft, or cargo facilities are used—whether knowingly or through negligence—for the transportation, concealment, or distribution of controlled substances. This amendment must mandate strict security and inspection obligations for these carriers, with severe penalties including asset forfeiture, multi-million-dollar fines, and operational license revocation for entities complicit or negligent in facilitating drug trafficking. Such enforcement is essential to dismantle transnational trafficking networks and protect Liberia’s national security and regional stability.
Mr. President, The People Cannot Be Ignored. The July 17 Demands Must Be Addressed on a timely manner.
“Enough is Enough”
