STAND emphasized that the demands are not appeals for charity, but assertions of the people’s right to justice, security, and dignity.
Monrovia – With just days remaining before the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to President Joseph Boakai, the organizers of the July 17 “Enough is Enough” mass protest have renewed their call for urgent and decisive action in response to their 13-count recommendations.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a statement issued Sunday, the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), in alliance with WE THE PEOPLE Movement and other collaborating civil society organizations, declared that President Boakai’s recent acknowledgment of skyrocketing prices and economic hardship during Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration amounts to a belated but undeniable admission of failure.
“This public confession, though overdue, is a clear validation of the grievances echoed by tens of thousands of Liberians who took to the streets on July 17,” STAND said in the strongly worded statement. “It is time for the President to cast aside pride, reject the arrogance of power, and act decisively to arrest the deepening crisis.”
The group accused the Central Bank of Liberia of misrepresenting the country’s economic reality and misleading the public, asserting that President Boakai’s admission exposes those “false claims of stability.”
A Petition Resubmitted — and a Warning Issued
The movement formally resubmitted its 13-count petition to the President, demanding sweeping reforms and accountability. The petition includes calls for the dismissal and prosecution of corrupt officials, audits of key public institutions, including the NSA, Public Works, LPRC, and NPA, prosecution of top security officials for police brutality and alleged unlawful killings, economic reforms to combat the rising cost of living and youth unemployment, and public transparency on contracts, legislative spending, and drug enforcement policy.
Two additional counts have been added: a full audit of the National Legislature and tougher laws against air and maritime drug trafficking.
STAND emphasized that the demands are not appeals for charity, but assertions of the people’s right to justice, security, and dignity.
A Rebuttal to Presidential “Mockery”
The statement also accused President Boakai of attempting to downplay the protest’s significance and “mocking” its organizers and participants. Ironically, the group said, his own words during his Independence Day speech now serve as confirmation of the crisis.
“Truth crushed to the ground shall rise again,” the statement quoted the President, calling his admission “undeniable proof” that the Liberian people’s demands “cannot—and will not—be silenced, buried, or ignored.”
Commending the National Orator, Rebuking the President’s Inner Circle
STAND lauded Independence Day National Orator, Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn, for “boldly calling on President Boakai to take governance seriously and fire corrupt officials,” adding that Dunn’s message mirrors the heart of the July 17 petition.
They further warned the President to distance himself from “the toxic echo chamber of his inner circle,” calling their influence “dangerous misguidance” that threatens to deepen public resistance and civil unrest.
The Clock Is Ticking
As the expiration of the 14-day deadline approaches, STAND and its partners made clear that failure to address the petition’s demands would lead to an escalation of the movement.
“Let there be no illusions—failure to act will not weaken the people’s resolve. It will ignite an even stronger, broader, and more determined movement to escalate the fight for justice, accountability, and real change.”
Concluding with a direct appeal, the coalition declared:
“Mr. President, the people cannot be ignored. The July 17 demands must be addressed in a timely manner. Enough is enough.”
The 13 Demands at a Glance
The protesters called on President Boakai to fire and prosecute corrupt officials, audit the NSA, Public Works, LPRC, NPA, LWSC, and Mines & Energy, prosecute police and security chiefs accused of brutality, public disclosure of all contracts signed since Jan. 2024, enforce constitutional tenure protections and civic freedoms and emergency economic action to create jobs and expand services.
The protesters are also calling on the President to lift restrictions on kehkeh and motorbike riders, end “political witch-hunts”, raise minimum wage and address cost of living, prioritize healthcare in national budget, investigate bribery allegations involving Speaker Koffa’s removal, audit and disclose legislative spending and amend drug laws to penalize negligent or complicit carriers.
