— Gabriel Williams on Capitol Fire and Political Unrest”
Monrovia—The Liberian Capitol fire has brought to the fore deep concerns about the nation’s fragile stability, with criticism mounting over the government’s handling of escalating tensions. Gabriel I. H. Williams, former president of the Press Union of Liberia, has issued a statement lamenting the events of the past week and urging a course correction by both the Executive and the Legislature. His remarks come as Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman defends the force’s actions, setting the stage for a critical examination of Liberia’s leadership amid crisis.
In his statement, Williams painted a dire picture of the nation’s current trajectory, likening the fire at the Capitol to moments of national trauma during Liberia’s past. “Seeing videos and photos of the dome of the Capitol Building engulfed in wild fire and thick black smoke was like watching Liberia being set ablaze again,” Williams said, drawing parallels to the 1980 coup and the civil war that followed Charles Taylor’s rebellion in 1989. “It is very heart-wrenching to watch our beautiful and beloved Liberia again going down this path of chaos and destruction because our national leaders are failing to exercise effective leadership.”
Williams specifically criticized the police crackdown on demonstrators, describing it as “heavy-handed” and warning that such actions only exacerbate tensions. He urged President Joseph N. Boakai to take swift action to de-escalate the situation, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to international condemnation and further instability. “Even though he is known to be a very quiet and peaceful man, it would be a stain on President Boakai and his government if there is a loss of life from the ongoing disturbances involving demonstrators and the police,” he said.
Inspector General Coleman, however, had earlier defended the actions of the police, describing the force used during the protest as “proportionate.” Coleman insisted that officers only escalated to non-lethal methods after protesters broke barriers and assaulted the police. “You will not come and start to assault the officers and throw stones and expect them to just stand up and get wounded,” Coleman said, arguing that the response was necessary to restore order.
The stark contrast between Williams’ critique and Coleman’s justification highlights the growing divide in public perception of the crisis. While Coleman lauded his officers’ “remarkable discipline” in managing the protests, Williams’ statement pointed to the broader consequences of the government’s approach. “The heavy-handed police response to a peaceful protest on Capitol Hill was followed by the Capitol Building being set on fire, obviously causing massive damage to the dome of that historic building,” Williams noted, questioning whether the escalation could have been avoided with more measured leadership.
Williams also turned his attention to the legislative impasse that has fueled much of the unrest. The ongoing power struggle within the House of Representatives, where rival factions vie for control of the Speaker’s chair, has become a flashpoint for the nation’s larger political challenges. Williams called on both sides to “step back from their currently held positions” and reconvene under the leadership of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, proposing that elections for a new Speaker be held thereafter.
In a direct appeal to President Boakai, Williams urged neutrality, cautioning the Executive against taking sides in the legislative dispute. “It is not in the interest of President Boakai and his government to support policies and activities that have the propensity to undermine the fragile peace and progress of the country,” he said. “Mr. President, I urge you to course correct before it is too late!”
The former Press Union president also invoked Liberia’s religious leaders, calling on the Liberia Council of Churches and the President’s Spiritual Advisor to step in as mediators. “In the spirit of Christmas,” he said, “I also call on the Liberia Council of Churches and the Spiritual Advisor to the President to support the recommendations for all contending parties in the saga to step back and submit to the constitutional/democratic process.”
Williams’ stark warnings and emotional reflections aim to resonate with Liberians’ collective memory of past crises, urging leaders to act decisively to avoid repeating history. He warned that the burning of the Capitol during the Christmas season serves as a grim reminder of the country’s tumultuous past, evoking the rebellion launched during the same season in 1989.
As Liberia grapples with the fallout from the Capitol fire, the competing narratives offered by Williams and Coleman underscore the complexity of the nation’s challenges. While the Inspector General frames the police response as a necessary enforcement of law and order, Williams casts it as a symptom of deeper leadership failings that threaten Liberia’s fragile peace.
The path forward, Williams contends, lies in a recommitment to democratic principles and effective leadership. “It is very heart-wrenching,” he said, “to watch our beautiful and beloved Liberia again going down this path of chaos and destruction because our national leaders are failing to exercise effective leadership for the common good and well-being of the country and its people.”
In the shadow of the Capitol’s charred remains, Williams’ call for unity, dialogue, and constitutional adherence serves as both a critique of the present and a plea for a better future. Whether Liberia’s leaders will heed his warning remains to be seen, but the stakes—peace, stability, and the nation’s very democracy—could not be higher.
