ROBERTSPORT, Grand Cape Mount County—A storm is brewing within the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), as ten County Youth Coordinators have pulled out of the National Youth Policy Validation Summit, citing growing concerns over what they describe as leadership irregularities, constitutional violations, and a lack of transparency.
The boycott, which coincides with the opening of the much-anticipated validation session in Robertsport, has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a landmark moment for youth policy in Liberia. The summit, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with key stakeholders, was intended to finalize the revised National Youth Policy (2025–2029) following months of regional consultations across the country.
But for a large segment of FLY’s county-based leadership, the process has been anything but inclusive.
“We cannot participate in a process that undermines the very foundation of the organization we represent,” said Abraham Alpha, spokesperson for the protesting Coordinators and the current Youth Coordinator for Nimba County. “We were elected to be the voice of young people in our respective counties. That voice is now being ignored, and we will not legitimize a process that refuses to hear us.”
Alpha said the coordinators’ decision to boycott stems from the FLY leadership’s consistent refusal to meet with them to address mounting concerns. Chief among these is the controversial suspension of the Bong County Youth Coordinator, a move they say was carried out without due process and in clear violation of the organization’s constitution.
“The suspension was illegal, politically driven, and sets a dangerous precedent,” Alpha said. “If we allow this to go unchallenged, it means any Coordinator can be removed arbitrarily for simply speaking up.”
The group also criticized what they describe as an attempt by FLY’s national leadership to flood the organization’s rolls with unverified groups in the lead-up to its General Assembly, a move they argue could tilt the outcome of internal elections and weaken grassroots accountability.
“This policy validation was supposed to be about building consensus, bringing young people together, and shaping a future that reflects our realities,” Alpha stated. “But instead, it is being used to sideline key stakeholders and create confusion. If the Ministry doesn’t step in, we risk undermining not just the process, but the integrity of the youth leadership space in Liberia.”
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has yet to publicly respond to the boycott. However, pressure is mounting for it to mediate the crisis and restore trust among its core youth partners.
For now, the coordinators say they remain firm in their stance: no county elections or General Assembly should take place without proper verification of all member organizations, and no meaningful youth policy process can succeed without the inclusion of legitimate grassroots leaders.
“This isn’t about politics,” Alpha concluded. “It’s about principle. And we’re not backing down.”
