MONROVIA – A firestorm has erupted within Liberia’s political establishment after Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Mohammed Konneh, a former Finance Minister under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration, made a series of critical remarks aimed at the Unity Party (UP)-led government. His public statements have generated strong pushback from key allies and opponents, exposing fissures within the ruling alliance and prompting a broader national conversation on the country’s economic direction.
In a bold Facebook post on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Senator Konneh defended his decision to openly critique the performance of the Boakai administration despite being a member of the ruling political coalition. The senator insisted that patriotism demands truth-telling, even when it is politically uncomfortable. According to him, silence in the face of poor governance equates to complicity.
“Some political allies advised me, ‘Never interrupt your enemy making a mistake,’” Konneh stated. “However, I don’t see my UP allies as enemies. We fought for a better Liberia, and staying silent while we make mistakes feels unpatriotic.” His remarks immediately caught public attention and triggered mixed reactions across the political landscape.
Konneh acknowledged some progress under the current administration but stressed that the improvements have yet to translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Liberians. He cited economic indicators such as soaring commodity prices, a fragile exchange rate, mounting public debt, and high unemployment as contributing to widespread public frustration.
He also took the opportunity to remind the public that the roots of Liberia’s current macroeconomic stability were planted under the George Weah led Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government. “The macroeconomic recovery started in 2022. However, it didn’t improve people’s lives, hence we rejected the CDC in 2023,” Konneh emphasized.
But the senator’s truth-telling mission was not welcomed by all. Daniel O. Sando, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, launched a scathing counterattack, accusing Senator Konneh of political opportunism and hypocrisy. Sando described the senator’s statements as a calculated effort to distance himself from the administration’s shortcomings while enjoying the privileges of power.
“Your remarks, while framed as a call for reflection, are riddled with contradictions,” Sando declared. “You can’t be part of the system and act as if you’re some innocent observer. This pretense of selective truth-telling is annoying and misleading.” He further claimed that Konneh’s narrative was designed to shield himself from criticism while undermining the Unity Party’s achievements.
Sando also challenged Konneh’s assertion that the CDC government left behind a stable macroeconomic framework. He dismissed that claim as false and described the Weah administration as a “kakistocracy” whose policies did more harm than good. “The economy under Weah was riddled with corruption, inefficiency, and incompetence,” Sando said.
The deputy minister further accused Konneh of emboldening protest movements, suggesting that the recent demonstrations were politically motivated rather than grounded in genuine public interest. He praised the restraint and professionalism of the Liberia National Police and other security forces during the protests.
Despite the backlash, Konneh found an unexpected ally in former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweh, who served under the CDC government. Tweh backed Konneh’s assertion that the economic recovery began during the Weah era and noted that several positive indicators were evident when the Boakai administration took over.
“It is an unassailable fact that the CDC administration handed the UP administration a solid macroeconomic foundation,” Tweh said. He noted that inflation had risen by 12.48 percent since January 2024, arguing that these figures illustrate the real economic pain felt by ordinary Liberians. “This is a FACT,” he emphasized.
Tweh also highlighted key infrastructural projects initiated during the Weah administration, including the construction of 87 public schools funded by the World Bank. He urged the Boakai administration to complete these schools and improve the quality of education, asserting that governance should transcend party lines.
“Senator Konneh is telling us to leave party sentiments aside and focus on the big issues. Let the numbers speak for themselves,” Tweh stated. He also called for a broader dialogue among political leaders and technocrats to address Liberia’s pressing economic challenges in a unified and objective manner.
Public reaction to Konneh’s statements has been divided. Some citizens and civil society actors have praised the senator for his candor and willingness to confront hard truths. They argue that Liberia needs more leaders who are brave enough to hold their own parties accountable. Others view Konneh’s comments as a betrayal of the Unity Party and a distraction from the government’s efforts to stabilize the country.
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