Liberia: President Boakai’s Key Allies Are Turning on Him Much less Than a 12 months into His Presidency
Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s victory over his political rival, then-incumbent President George Manneh Weah, within the 2023 Presidential Elections, was hard-won and the results of collective efforts. It required the collaboration of his get together, allies, and key people who sacrificed their time, effort, assets, and experience to show the tide in favor of the Unity Party Alliance, reviving the political profession of then-candidate Boakai.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
However, lower than a 12 months into his administration, President Boakai faces mounting criticism from key allies, elevating issues about his management and coverage route. Prominent voices have expressed dissatisfaction, accusing the administration of faltering on crucial points.
John Morlu, former Auditor General of Liberia and a lead marketing campaign fundraiser for the Boakai marketing campaign, was instrumental in mobilizing monetary assist, significantly from the diaspora. He additionally served on the Boakai-Koung transition staff. However, after the inauguration of President Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung in January, Morlu departed for the United States, feeling sidelined regardless of being thought-about a robust candidate for a prime cupboard put up.
“I am a man who believes in professionalism, organization, structure, and clear terms of reference,” Morlu mentioned. “They made a mockery of me. But I firmly believe that the fundamental issue in Liberia is not about the number of kilometers of roads built or the number of chairs in schools. Those are government responsibilities. The core problems that have afflicted every president are governance, accountability, and transparency.”
Morlu highlighted accountability as a significant problem for the Boakai administration, emphasizing that fast actions with out correct group might undermine progress. “During the transition, I insisted on structure, process, and organization. From what I observed, accountability was going to be a challenge for this government because they wanted to act quickly without proper organization,” he defined.
We should get up in opposition to dangerous practices, whether or not they come from Uncle Joe Boakai, [George] Weah, [Ellen Johnson] Sirleaf, [Charles Gyude] Bryant, [Charles] Taylor, [Samuel Kanyon] Doe, [William] Tolbert, or [William] Tubman. We can’t choose and select primarily based on tribal or political strains. Liberia is hurting and never at peace, with zero alternatives for jobs for unusual people. So far, we see no rescue, solely a substitute sport.
John Morlu, former Auditor General, Republic of Liberia
He additionally criticized the dismissal of civil servants affiliated with the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), describing it as poor governance. “The dismissal of CDCians represents poor governance and a disregard for the interests of Liberians. It’s time for Boakai to wake up and show true leadership. This situation demands courage, and we encourage everyone to stand up for their fellow Liberians,” he mentioned.
“We must stand up against bad practices, whether they come from Uncle Joe Boakai, [George] Weah, [Ellen Johnson] Sirleaf, [Charles Gyude] Bryant, [Charles] Taylor, [Samuel Kanyon] Doe, [William] Tolbert, or [William] Tubman,” Morlu declared. “Liberia is hurting and not at peace, with zero opportunities for jobs for ordinary folks. So far, we see no rescue, only a replacement game.”
Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh additionally raised alarms concerning the administration’s dealing with of urgent points, significantly the financial system. “We need urgent action on the economy, which is sending mixed signals: the exchange rate is improving, but prices are stagnant or rising, joblessness is increasing, electricity is still scarce, businesses are struggling, and optimism is dwindling,” he famous in a current Facebook put up. Senator Konneh additional emphasised the necessity for funding within the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) to fight the rising illicit drug disaster. “Our failure to address and invest in the LDEA this year is a missed opportunity that endangers our youth and the country’s future. Leaders must prioritize this critical issue.”
We want pressing motion on the financial system, which is sending blended indicators: the alternate price is bettering, however costs are stagnant or rising, joblessness is rising, electrical energy continues to be scarce, companies are struggling, and optimism is dwindling, particularly concerning the combat in opposition to illicit medicine that threaten Liberia’s future. Our failure to handle and spend money on the LDEA this 12 months is a missed alternative that endangers our youth and the nation’s future. Leaders should prioritize this crucial challenge… President Boakai’s success within the Executive Branch is determined by a well-functioning Legislature. He should unite us now, following the Supreme Court’s opinion, to make 2025 a greater 12 months for our nation.
Amara Konneh, Senator, Gbarpolu County
Konneh additionally highlighted the significance of collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches, urging President Boakai to unite the federal government following current Supreme Court rulings within the House’s deadlock. “President Boakai’s success in the Executive Branch depends on a well-functioning Legislature. He must unite us now, following the Supreme Court’s opinion, to make 2025 a better year for our country,” he mentioned.
Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, a famend authorized practitioner and former presidential candidate on the ticket of the Liberia People Party (LPP), additionally voiced sturdy criticism of the Boakai administration. While acknowledging some accomplishments, Gongloe expressed concern over what he described as “glaring shortcomings” in Boakai’s management.
The Unity Party is breaching the tenure place statute, which it created throughout its earlier regime, and criticized the Weah administration for violating it. We see this angle as a complete mockery of the combat in opposition to corruption.
Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe.
Gongloe praised efforts reminiscent of implementing suggestions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, establishing the workplace of the War and Economic Crimes Court, and rising feminine illustration on the Supreme Court bench. However, he criticized the administration for failing to uphold the rule of legislation, citing unlawful dismissals of presidency staff for criticizing the President on social media. He argued that this violated freedom of speech and undermined the inclusivity mandated by the Executive Law of 1973.
Gongloe additionally expressed disappointment within the authorities’s strategy to combating corruption and its dealing with of public protests. He condemned the deployment of the navy throughout a peaceable gathering on the airport to welcome former President George Weah, calling it a harmful precedent. Additionally, he criticized Boakai’s failure to have interaction with Weah, describing it as a missed alternative for nationwide unity.
Adding to the refrain of dissent, Stanton Witherspoon, CEO of Spoon Network, lambasted the administration for alleged missteps, together with the “Yellow Machine” saga and questionable funds involving the Ministry of Commerce. Speaking on his broadly adopted Spoon Talk, Witherspoon described these as among the worst actions below the Boakai-Koung administration.
“The ‘Yellow Machine’ was the number one corrupt attempt by folks close to the president without the president taking no action,” he mentioned, alleging that the scheme concerned $84 million below the administration of people near Boakai. “This was one of the worst [actions] in the history of our country,” he added, additional claiming that Vice President Koung was referred to as upon to salvage the scenario.
The rising dissent amongst President Boakai’s allies underscores mounting challenges inside his administration. The criticisms spotlight issues over governance, financial administration, and the combat in opposition to corruption. As 2025 approaches, requires decisive motion and inclusive management are intensifying.
The Executive Mansion didn’t reply to FPA as much as the top of manufacturing.
