Joint CommuniquÉ From Roundtables Of Political Leaders Of Opposition Political Parties Held On Sunday, September 6 & Sunday 27, 2026

Monrovia, Liberia

September 27, 2026

Preamble

From Saturday-Sunday, September 5-6, 2026, there were Roundtables hosted and convened by H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, Sr., Former President of the Republic of Liberia and Political Leader of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) for Key Opposition Individual Political Stakeholders and the broader Opposition Political Stakeholders and Political Leaders of Opposition Political Parties, respectively, at the Jamaica Resort, Paynesville, Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia for the purpose of beginning an inclusive national conversation on building a credible democratic and people-centered alternative for Liberia based on unity, mutual respect, shared ownership and national interest. We, the Political Leaders of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) and Union of Liberian Democrats Party (ULDP), following our post-roundtable and broader reflection, do renew our realization that Liberia’s present challenges require opposition political parties to transcend narrow partisan interests and develop a sustained platform for national engagement, and that political competition must never become an obstacle to cooperation on matters affecting national interest. We, the above-named opposition political parties coming out of our Second Roundtable on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Sinkor Palace, Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia, hosted by Hon. Simeon C. M. Freeman, Political Leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) do reaffirm our common commitment to the peace, unity, justice, sovereignty, constitutional democracy and socio-economic transformation of the Republic of Liberia, and also remain committed to fostering and tightening inclusive opposition dialogue on the development and transformation of Liberia.

We accordingly adopt and issue this Joint Communiqué, outlining our common purpose, shared concerns about the direction of national governance, and commitment to a new agenda for principled opposition cooperation. This Joint Communiqué serves as the foundation for continued opposition cooperation and the development of a broader agenda on national collaboration. Our objective is not simply to oppose government, but rather, to help build a Liberia in which government works, institutions are respected, citizens have access to equal opportunities, the private sector can create jobs, justice is blind and equal, and the whole of democracy is fully protected, respected and in effect. We are committed to providing Liberia with a better way of governing, and we agree to jointly and constructively hold the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government accountable for its stewardship of the Republic.

National Territorial Sovereignty and the Loss of Liberian Territory to Guinea

The first responsibility of a government is to protect the national security of its people and maintain the integrity of their territory. The Unity Party Government has failed in this regard. Today, our neighbor, the Republic of Guinea occupies a Liberian territory in Foya District, Lofa County, and the Government has failed to resolve the problem diplomatically. Liberians have read about the loss of their lands during the 1800s, but they will not accept losing land to their neighbors under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government in this 21st century. The Government has been slow on diplomatic action to resolve this issue: it is yet to properly impress on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to take stronger positions on what seems to be the loss of the Liberian territory, neither have we seen any action from the United Nations. We demand urgent action on the diplomatic front and stronger commitment from the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government to recover Liberia’s territory, which we hope is not already lost to the Republic of Guinea and restore Liberia’s territorial integrity.

The Recall of the European Union Ambassador and the Decline in Foreign Policy

We also continue to see a general decline in diplomatic relations and an attempt to silence members of the diplomatic community from expressing opinions on critical and sensitive national matters. The Government of Liberia in March 2026 through a diplomatic note to the European Union (EU), requesting the recall of H.E. Madam Nona Deprez, European Union Ambassador/Head of European Union Delegation to Liberia for demanding greater transparency in the management of the mining sector, going so far to describe the Ambassador’s comments as “derogatory.” The EU Ambassador has since left Liberia, and the European Union is yet to send her replacement, a situation which speaks volumes, and continues to be an international embarrassment to Liberia’s relations with the European Union, one of its most trusted development partners. This level of intolerance is scandalous. Under the CDC-led Administration, our democracy encouraged open and widespread criticism from diplomats, which benefited the Unity Party as a party in opposition at the time. Why is the Unity Party now intolerant of diplomatic criticism? We have also seen the Government reject advice on the rule of law from an ECOWAS delegation during the legislative crisis that began in October 2024, giving members of the delegation a slap in the face for daring to raise concerns about adherence to institutional rules and norms. We encourage diplomats not to yield to the action of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government, but as Liberia’s Partners, to continue to express views and opinions that are critical to protecting Liberia’s democracy and rule of law, and to improving economic governance.

The Lack of Transparency on Program to Bring 1,200 Undesirable Foreign Nationals from the United States to Liberia

We are also concerned about the lack of transparency in the United States-Liberia humanitarian arrangement for the transfer of third country nationals which will see the transfer of up to 1,200 foreign migrants who are undesirable in the United States of America, and subject to deportation or removal from the United States. The Government of Liberia has provided to the public little or no information about this process and these 1200 foreign migrants who the United States of America does not want them to stay in their Country, America. Liberians have a right to know the full details of a program bringing foreign migrants from the United States into their country, since it may have implications for our Liberian society and people, and for the personal welfare of the 1200 foreign migrants. We demand greater openness and transparency into this program.

Economic Governance Has No Impact on the Poor, the Unemployed and Small Businesses

Since coming to power almost three years ago, the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government has been unable to address the major economic problems of the country. The private sector is still unable to produce jobs, and poverty continues to increase. The investment climate remains difficult as most Liberian businesses are still struggling and unable to get a loan which can enable them to create more jobs for Liberians, while several other Liberians in business continue to struggle because the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government is failing to enforce the regulation governing retailing and wholesaling, as several wholesalers are also retailers. Also, under the national investment code, the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government is not protecting business opportunities set aside for Liberians, as these opportunities are being given to foreigners. The Government has failed to provide a solution to these inter-related national economic challenges. On the National Budget, we commend the Government for reaching the milestone of US$1 billion in domestic revenue. However, we note, the real issue remains the impact the Budget is making on ordinary Liberians. Under our evolving cooperation, we are committed to developing new ways of thinking on difficult economic and investment issues to grow the private sector.

The Fight Against Corruption is Selective

Under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government, the fight against corruption has become selective, looking backwards, while turning a blind eye to corruption in the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government. The Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government has failed to address a mysterious US$10 million-dollar construction project in Foya, Lofa County, the home city of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. The project is a flagship of corruption since all procurement and budget rules were grossly violated, and since no credible information has been provided on the sources of funding for the project. The Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government had said the project was for the Mano River Union (MRU), but the MRU has since denied any link with the project. Different Government Ministers of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Administration have provided conflicting information on the project, raising the suspicion of members of the opposition. On the controversial US$10million-dollar Foya Construction Project, the Alternative National Congress (ANC) in May 2026, wrote a formal communication to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), in which it expressed and documented its concerns about possible procurement violations and breach of public financial management law, and called on the LACC to investigate the Foya Construction Project and report to the Liberian people. In June 2026, the LACC responded to the ANC that it would conduct a “preliminary assessment” to see if an investigation is warranted. Since then, no action has been taken on the matter to the knowledge of the public. Where we see Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government continuous stalling, we have reason to believe grave wrong has occurred. There has also been no investigation of the US$8 million of national reserve money transferred in May 2024 by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to SIB Liberia, under an April 18, 2024 “directive from President Joseph Boakai.” The SIB Liberia, a new bank that emerged from the failed FIBLL bank, has been accused of financing the election of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in 2023. We also call on the LACC to launch an independent investigation into the US$10 million controversial Foya Construction Project, the US$ 8 million transfer of Liberia’s reserve money from the Central Bank of Liberia to SIB Liberia and all other corruption related cases involving current and former officials of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government. We urge the LACC to conduct these investigations without fear or favor because the current LACC law protects LACC commissioners from being removed by a Liberian President without a majority vote from the Liberian Senate. We continue to see the dismissal of corruption cases involving people affiliated with the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government, while cases involving former officials of the immediate past Government are accelerated. The fight against corruption cannot be, and should not be selective or partisan, and we demand strong actions from the LACC and other anti-graft institutions on ongoing acts or allegations of corruption under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government.

The Undermining of the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence

We are deeply troubled by the determination of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government to undermine the rule of law, discredit the opinion of the Supreme Court and politically interfere with justice. The Government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has consistently refused to obey Supreme Court opinion protecting tenured officials, and has removed these officials because of political party affiliations, in gross violation of the law. The Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government also disrespected the Supreme Court opinion handed down in the so-called Majority-Minority Bloc dispute in the House of Representatives at the Legislature, during which, the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government openly sustained and supported the unlawful actions of the so-called Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives and blatantly ignored the Supreme Court’s opinion that such actions were “ultra vires”. If the opinion of the highest court in the land is not the law as prescribed by the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, then Liberia under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. is heading in a dangerous direction of lawlessness. We have also seen a consistent attempt by the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government to interfere with the administration of justice to ensure that results favor the political interests of the Unity Party, as opposed to the national interest of the state. The Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government is quick to prosecute political opponents, but slow to prosecute officials affiliated with the Unity Party, moving to dismiss these cases in some instances. These patterns show that justice is not blind, and remains selective under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Administration, and moreso, that the rule of law is being consistently undermined, and the authority of the Supreme Court is being challenged and disregarded by this Government. There must be one law, one standard and one justice system for all Liberians and residents in the Republic, and the Supreme Court, as the highest arbiter of justice, and all of its affiliate courts and systems must be respected to the fullest by the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government and all citizens and residents within the borders of the Republic of Liberia.

Attack On Free Speech and the Emergence of a Police State

The Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government is determined to punish free speech, silence criticism and dissent, and instill a culture of fear among Liberians about criticizing their government. We have already seen how this determination has led to the expulsion of the European Union Ambassador/Head of European Union Delegation to Liberia, as indicated in one of the preceding sections of this Joint Communiqué. The latest device by the Government is to use the police to tyrannize over citizens under a new Cybercrime law, which the police and other state security institutions have described as critical to curtailing “cyber bullying” they believe is prevalent on social media. While we support the existence of a cybercrime law designed to punish clear, specific and unmistakable internet related crimes, we condemn in the strongest term the attempt by the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Administration and state security institutions to use the recently approved Cybercrime Act to protect officials of this Government from criticism, lampoon or public ridicule, actions that are clearly protected by Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution. The recent arrest by the police of a young Liberian for allegedly spreading AI-generated image of the current Vice President of Liberia under the auspices of the Cybercrime law is a serious threat to our democracy and an indication that Liberians may be living under a police state, where the police is not only manipulating drug/cocaine investigation to protect security officials linked to the drug cartel, but is now going after private citizens who criticize or lampoon public officials. But the institutional clampdown on free speech we see today has long been in the making. Under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government, we have seen the Legislature pass a vote of no confidence on individuals for criticizing the legislature for being “corrupt,” summoning these persons to explain the meaning of their allegation. We have also seen how the Ministry of Information has variously aimed to censor public criticism by hurling insults and cusswords at eminent personalities perceived to be critics of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government. Free speech is fundamental to democracy and all attempts to suppress or silence it must be resisted.

The Creation of threatening environment against Former President Geroge Manneh Weah at the RIA

We condemn the creation of a threatening environment against former President George Manneh Weah and his entourage upon his return to the country on September 2, 2026, when armed officers of the joint security deployed guns as a form of threat against the former President and harmless citizens who converged at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) to welcome him back home. The former President deserves the highest level of respect at all times, and we call on the government to desist from this menace. As opposition leaders, we will continue to monitor this situation.

The War on Drugs Is Compromised and Selective

We demand an independent investigation into the US$19 million and US$317 million drug busts, since according to the Police Inspector General, Mr. Gregory Coleman, senior officials of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government at the highest level were involved. We are also concerned that calls for Inspector-General Gregory Coleman to be removed from the investigation have been ignored. We also condemn the selective prosecution of people accused by this Government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The Government has dismissed some senior national security officials for their apparent link to the drug cartel, but has not accelerated their prosecution, and we believe these individuals are roaming about freely. On the other hand, the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government has summarily and arbitrarily charged, imprisoned and disgraced a Former Vice President of the Republic, and after more than a month, has failed to proceed with indictment because it does not appear to have the evidence to convict her. This dangerous pattern reinforces our call for an independent credible investigation into the recent dangerous drug/cocaine busts in our Country, without which, the drug cartel would perpetuate its roots and links in Liberia. We do not demand that foreigners head such a commission, but that credible public institutions such as the Liberia National Bar Association, Press Union of Liberia, Civil Society Organizations of Liberia and representatives from the Liberia National Muslim Council and Liberia Council of Churches be asked to join the commission, along with some members of the diplomatic community. The Government’s refusal to accept such proposal can only confirm that Inspector General Gregory Coleman’s statement that senior officials of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government at the highest level are involved with the drug cartel.

Economic Opportunities and Rights of Liberians

As poverty and joblessness widen under the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government, it has chosen to place Liberians into deeper poverty by destroying their homes and violating their rights to property. The Government of Liberia has affected more than 200,000 Liberians through these property destructions, leaving citizens stranded, with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai categorically saying, “God is not giving new land.” No program to address squatter contexts arising out of our civil conflict exists, as Liberians are hopelessly crushed by the power of the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government. This Government has also weaponized Government’s procurement processes to deny highly qualified Liberians from accessing economic opportunities through Government’s contracting and procurement. Several Liberians or their firms have scored highest during the Government’s procurement processes, but have been subsequently rejected because of opposition political affiliation. These are instances of fundamental denial of citizens’ rights to livelihood and economic opportunities by the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government.

Health and Education Sectors are Trapped in an Old Model

After 21 years of postwar governance, adequate access to quality education and healthcare remains elusive, and new thinking in these sectors must be found to enhance Liberia’s human capital development. A high number of health workers are still on voluntary payroll. There is no actionable plan in place to address the quality of teachers, without which, educational standards will continue to be lowered so that students pass public exams. The Government claims it has increased revenue, yet teachers and health workers remain among the lowest paid, and there is no plan for upgrading their salaries, pegged to revenue increases. We consider human capital development as vital, both to the national security and the economy of Liberia and the Boakai-Koung-Unity Party-led Government’s approach to health and education is degrading our children’s competitive future and requires urgent attention.

For these reasons, and many more, we have agreed to work together, as opposition political parties, for the wholesome development, transformation and advancement of Liberia and for the betterment of all Liberians. We commit to a plan of action that will strengthen the bond of opposition unity, collaboration and solidarity, defend constitutional democracy and democratic institutions, promote accountable, transparent and responsible government, enhance and promote tolerance for public criticism, advance an economy capable of generating broad-based prosperity and productive employment, promote and defend the independence of the judiciary and the supremacy of the Constitution, equal justice for all, and build an inclusive people-centered alternative to democratic leadership based on unity, mutual respect, shared ownership and national interest.

The National Elections Commission Must Remain Independent

With a marginal difference of around 20,567 votes or about 1.28 percent of valid votes cast in 2023, Former President George Manneh Weah, Sr., then a sitting President of Africa’s oldest Independent Republic, handed power over to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and his Unity Party of the then Opposition, signaling a landmark smooth transition. We expect, and shall remain unequivocal in our uncompromising demand for absolutely nothing less than credibility to ensue in the 2029 General and Presidential Elections, and are alarmed by perceived intentions on the part of the new Leadership of the National Elections Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Liberia to de-register political parties, and/or to engage in other practices that might undermine such electoral credibility. No such actions would be tolerated, and any such attempt will be resisted in the strongest term. Under our Collaborative agenda, we would engage the National Elections Commission in a series of processes, aimed towards guaranteeing and ensuring free, fair, transparent, peaceful and inclusive 2029 General and Presidential Elections in the Republic of Liberia.

Conclusion

We have agreed to do this in a manner that enables us to cooperate under an agreed structure, while retaining our respective political identities, organizational autonomy and distinct histories. We are, and will remain, engaged with other opposition political parties and national stakeholders towards the objective of widening the tent. Our cooperation is grounded in addressing issues of national concern, not mere electoral calculations. Our coming together is informed by the lessons, challenges and experiences of previous attempts at political collaboration in Liberia, which will enable us to avoid the weaknesses that have caused past arrangements to either fail, partially succeed or not to be sustainable in its entirety. We will build trust through actual consultations, collaboration and measurable national engagement rather than attempting to manufacture opposition political unity by declaration. We believe that by successfully working together in the national interest and building public confidence, the political implications of that success will naturally inform the 2029 electoral agenda.

We have constituted an Opposition Political Parties’ Joint Technical Committee (OPPJTC), comprising of two(2) representatives from each Opposition Political Party of its own choosing and forming an integral part of this opposition political initiative, to develop an implementation and operational agenda which will consider thematic working groups and mechanisms for engagement with all national stakeholders, including opposition lawmakers, civil society, professional groups and Liberians across the fifteen counties in order to translate political agreement into implementable programs of opposition unity, cooperation, collaboration, policy positions and coordinated national advocacy for the best interest of Liberia and the Liberian People.

We, the undersigned opposition Political Leaders and Opposition Political Parties, reaffirm our determination to work together in the national interest. We recognize our differences, but we also recognize the issues that unite us. We shall therefore continue this process of roundtables, other forms of consultation and cooperation in good faith, with mutual respect, shared ownership, transparency and a commitment to Liberia and the Liberian People. Our cooperation is ultimately about the Liberian people. We therefore call upon all Liberians who believe in constitutional democracy, economic opportunities, accountable government and equal justice to participate peacefully and constructively in this national conversation.

SIGNED SUNDAY, THIS 27TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER A.D. 2026

ALTERNATIVE NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC)

________________________________________

Hon. Alexander Benedict Cummings

POLITICAL LEADER

COALITION FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (CDC)

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H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, Sr.

POLITICAL LEADER

MOVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (MOVEE)

________________________________________

H.E. Amb. Dee- Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr.

POLITICAL LEADER & STANDARD BEARER

MOVEMENT FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE (MPC)

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Hon. Simeon C. M. Freeman

POLITICAL LEADER

UNION OF LIBERIAN DEMOCRATS PARTY (ULDP)

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Hon. Jonathan A. Mason

POLITICAL LEADER