Hundreds of Liberians marched through the streets Thursday, protesting perceived government corruption and democratic decline. An AFP journalist witnessed the demonstration unfold amidst pounding rain. Protesters voiced their discontent, targeting President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
Demonstrators chanted “Enough is enough” as they converged on Capitol Hill. Placards explicitly criticized the head of state. The public outcry reflects growing frustration with the nation’s leadership.
Critics accuse President Boakai, inaugurated in early 2024, of economic mismanagement. They allege rampant corruption within his government. Furthermore, they contend public sector salaries have not improved as promised.
Government supporters, however, defend the administration’s actions. They point to the suspension of senior officials implicated in alleged corruption. Enhanced ties with foreign investors are also cited as progress.
Protesters also accuse Boakai of failing to fulfill campaign pledges. These promises were instrumental in unseating former President George Weah. Disillusionment appears to be spreading among the populace.
Civil servant Bendu Camara, 55, claimed the president targeted Weah-era officials. She alleged forced retirement and preferential job treatment for Unity Party members. “He is taking the Unity Party people to be the country’s owners,” Camara asserted.
Hawa Kpehe, a 22-year-old pottery trader, echoed sentiments of betrayal. She stated Boakai “lied to the Liberian people.” Kpehe added, “He came to power and took food from our parents’ table.”
Liberia, one of the world’s poorest nations, strives for recovery. The country is still rebuilding from a devastating 2014 Ebola epidemic. Years of bloody conflict further impede its progress. Two civil wars between 1989 and 2003 claimed approximately 250,000 lives. These conflicts were marked by massacres, mutilation, rape, and the tragic use of child soldiers.