The party also accused the Unity Party (UP)-led government of using state security institutions to intimidate its political opponents./Amb. Kemayah is flanked by renowned lawyer Cllr Pearl Brown Bull and court Sheri.
Monrovia – The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) has condemned the arrest of its Political Leader, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., describing the action as politically motivated and undemocratic.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Ambassador Kemayah was arrested early Thursday morning, June 26, by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), who reportedly surrounded his residence before taking him to court.
His arrest is tied to an ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of humanitarian rice donated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in 2023.
The rice—totaling 29,412 bags and valued at US$425,918—was intended for disaster victims but was allegedly diverted under the watch of key government officials, including Kemayah.
The former Foreign Minister now faces charges including theft of property, economic sabotage, and misuse of public office, as part of the government’s broader anti-corruption drive led by a special task force.
In a statement released Thursday morning, MOVEE denounced the arrest as “arbitrary,” characterizing it as a deliberate attempt to silence a growing opposition voice. The party also accused the Unity Party (UP)-led government of using state security institutions to intimidate its political opponents.
“The use of frivolous charges and unproven allegations to go after opposition leaders is an attack on our democracy,” said MOVEE Secretary-General Jeremiah Paye in the party’s official response.
“Just days after MOVEE celebrated the graduation of 41 women and girls from our vocational training program, this government chose to strike at Ambassador Kemayah’s laudable community work. This is not justice, it’s political persecution.”
Paye added, “Kemayah is our own. We will protect him.”
The party is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of its standard bearer, arguing that the government lacks credible evidence to justify his detention.
Ambassador Kemayah’s arrest comes as part of a sweeping corruption investigation into the handling of humanitarian aid received in April 2023. The rice donation was consigned to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) for distribution to disaster-affected communities. However, following months of investigation, authorities allege that significant portions were diverted for “personal and political gains.”
Kemayah is one of three top officials arrested in connection with the scandal, along with Mary T. Broh, former GSA Director-General and Acting Monrovia City Mayor, and Henry O. Williams, current Executive Director of the NDMA. These arrests are the first indictments issued under the current anti-corruption crackdown.
Legal analysts warn that the arrests may trigger concerns over selective justice and raise questions about the potential politicization of law enforcement.
The news has sparked strong reactions across political and civil society circles, with some fearing the move could set a precedent for politically influenced prosecutions.
Ambassador Kemayah is expected to appear before Criminal Court “C” for formal arraignment in the coming days. Sources within the Special Taskforce have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and could lead to additional arrests.
For MOVEE, the timing of the arrest is particularly sensitive. The party recently intensified its community outreach efforts, including a vocational training and women’s empowerment program, which graduated over 40 women earlier this week.
“They’re trying to stop what they can’t control,” said Paye, reiterating the party’s belief that the arrest is a calculated attempt to derail MOVEE’s political momentum ahead of the 2029 elections.
As Liberia continues to grapple with endemic corruption and fragile institutions, the government’s handling of this high-profile case could have lasting implications for the nation’s democratic and political landscape.
