A nationwide protest is set to take place on July 17, 2026, as the grassroots advocacy organization Solidarity and Trust for A New Day (STAND) intensifies its campaign against the Unity Party-led government, citing worsening economic hardship and governance concerns across Liberia.
STAND National Chairman Mulbah Morlu announced that the planned demonstration, code-named “Lead or Leave now,” will be staged in front of the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, with parallel activities expected in other parts of the country.
Speaking at a weekend press conference in the PHP Community, Morlu said the action will be peaceful and inclusive, calling on Liberians from all walks of life to participate in what he described as a national civic engagement exercise.
He stressed that the protest is not intended to promote violence, clarifying the meaning behind one of the movement’s slogans. “Baboon will divide kola,” he said, “symbolizes civic resistance rather than violence,” adding that the demonstration is aimed at exercising democratic rights through nonviolent means.
Morlu described July 17 as a potentially defining moment for Liberia’s democratic trajectory, arguing that public frustration is rising due to economic hardship and declining confidence in governance.
According to him, ordinary citizens are struggling under difficult economic conditions, with shrinking employment opportunities and declining purchasing power affecting households nationwide.
“Graduates remain unemployed, parents are struggling to feed their families, businesses are shutting down, and ordinary citizens continue to bear the burden of economic hardship,” Morlu stated.
He also highlighted challenges facing workers in key sectors, including teachers, health professionals, motorcyclists, street vendors, and small business operators. He alleged that corruption continues to deepen inequality and worsen living conditions for many Liberians.
“The people are drowning while officials swim in luxury,” Morlu declared, emphasizing that the planned protest seeks to demand accountability and more responsive leadership from government authorities.
STAND is calling on a broad coalition of citizens, including students, civil society organizations, opposition parties, religious leaders, traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and professional associations, to join what it termed a peaceful movement for national renewal.
Morlu also criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, accusing the administration of failing to adequately engage dissenting voices and warning that growing public frustration should not be ignored. He further urged the international community to take note of what he described as rising dissatisfaction among Liberians.
In addition, Morlu called for the rejection of the nomination of Jonathan Weedor as Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), arguing that maintaining electoral neutrality is critical ahead of future elections.
