A prominent Liberian civil society organization – Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) has raised alarm over what it calls a “dangerous and unprecedented crackdown” on criticism in Liberia, denouncing the Boakai administration for using state security as a tool to silence dissent and intimidate political opponents and student activists.
In a statement released on Thursday, STAND drew attention to a recent threat made by Sam Gaye, Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), to withdraw state-provided security from former officials who “advocate” protests against the government.
STAND described the EPS’s stance as “a blatant abuse of discretion and a direct assault on Liberia’s constitutional guarantees of free expression and peaceful assembly.”
“This politically charged threat (issued under the guise of national security) sends a chilling message that constitutional rights can be selectively honored—or denied—based on loyalty to the sitting regime,” the statement signed by Chairman Mulbah Morlu, said.
STAND warned that such actions set a “perilous precedent” for future administrations to suppress political opposition under the pretext of security.
The civil society group accused President Joseph Boakai of hypocrisy and double standards, recalling that he himself benefited from state security while supporting the June 7, 2019, protests against the previous administration—a right now being denied to his critics.
“It is corrosive to the democratic fabric of our nation,” STAND stated, noting that the EPS threat came just ahead of the planned July 17 “WE THE PEOPLE” protest. The organization called the timing “a calculated attempt to suppress mass civic participation and intimidate both activists and sympathizers,” in direct violation, they said, of Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution which protects freedom of expression.
STAND also condemned the ongoing arrests and intimidation of students at the University of Liberia, especially those affiliated with the Student Unification Party (SUP), who have been protesting for improved educational conditions.
The group said these students are being punished for exercising their constitutional rights and accused the Boakai administration of adopting a “security-heavy approach—led by an increasingly politicized police force.”
“Students are not second-class citizens,” STAND asserted, highlighting Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble and petition for redress.
The civil society group called for the immediate withdrawal of the EPS’s inflammatory statement and for security institutions to reaffirm their neutrality.
Describing the government’s strategy as “rooted in intimidation, selective enforcement, and fear,” STAND asserted that such tactics only display “deep institutional insecurity.”
“Criticizing is not a crime. Protest is not sedition. Dissent is not treason. These are constitutional rights—and STAND will defend them with unrelenting resolve,” the statement concluded, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful resistance and democratic governance.
