In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Omar Alieu Turay, former Liberian President George Weah has leveled serious allegations against the current administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The letter, dated August 23, 2024, accuses the Boakai administration of orchestrating an “unprovoked attack” on the headquarters of Weah’s political party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
Weah claims that the raid, which occurred on August 22, 2024, was carried out under the “dubious guise of effecting a drug raid” and describes it as a “premeditated and callous act of violence.”
He asserts that this is part of a broader effort by the Boakai administration to “trample upon political freedoms, disregard the laws of the land, undermine democracy, and stoke tension in the country.”
Weah also referenced a similar incident that took place on August 5, 2024, when security forces allegedly breached the entry to the CDC headquarters.
He attributes these actions directly to President Boakai, accusing him of attempting to “diminish the CDC’s ability to mount any meaningful political fight in the future.”
During the August 22 raid, Weah claims that the police fired “hundreds of lethal and non-lethal rounds at unarmed civilians,” describing the incident as reminiscent of Liberia’s troubled past.
He further alleges that government security agencies involved in the raid have provided conflicting accounts, which he believes indicates an attempt to cover up the true motives behind the operation.
The former president also highlighted other alleged transgressions by the Boakai administration, including the excessive use of force against unarmed civilians, resulting in several deaths, and the non-prosecution of election-related killings.
He expressed concern over what he described as the “political weaponization of prosecutorial powers” and violations of statutory laws.
Weah emphasized that while the CDC has demonstrated “utmost regard for the maintenance of the hard-earned peace and respect for the rule of law,” the party will not “sit idly by and watch these transgressions persist.” He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of CDC members and citizens detained following the raid.
In his letter, Weah warned that President Boakai’s actions could further divide the already fractured nation and urged ECOWAS to intervene.
He stressed that “true power rests with the people and not any government bent on ruling outside the ambit of the law.”
Weah concluded by reiterating the CDC’s commitment to remaining a vibrant political force in Liberia, despite what he perceives as efforts by the Boakai administration to “erase the CDC from the political map of Liberia.” He called on ECOWAS to convey to the Boakai administration that the CDC “will not tolerate our rights being abused.”
The letter reflects the escalating political tensions in Liberia as the CDC continues to challenge the actions of the Boakai administration.
