Weah Accuses Boakai Government of Political Persecution in Liberia

Former President George Manneh Weah, through a message delivered by former Foreign Affairs Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, has launched a sweeping political attack on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's administration. Weah accused the ruling Unity Party of selective justice, political persecution, and abuse of state power during the Coalition for Democratic Change's (CDC) National Martyrs' Day commemoration in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.

Weah demanded the release of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who faces criminal allegations arising from an investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network. He also defended former officials of his administration convicted in the Saudi-donated rice scandal, including Kemayah, former Internal Affairs Minister Varney A. Sirleaf, and others. Weah described their convictions as unjust and accused the Boakai administration of pursuing a political witch hunt.

The former president also called for the release of young CDC supporters detained in connection with the Capitol Building arson case. He challenged the government to account for the February 29, 2024 killings in Kinjor, where protesters and security personnel clashed during demonstrations in the Bea Mountain mining area. Weah characterized the incident as an act of "unprovoked brutality" and demanded accountability.

Weah's message, delivered under the theme "They Carried the Struggle, We Carry Their Legacy," went beyond commemorating fallen CDC supporters. It was a pointed challenge to the Boakai administration over its handling of justice, human rights, and political opposition. Weah reminded the governing party that an electoral mandate does not confer unlimited authority, stating that "a tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant."

The ceremony brought together CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga Augustus Kowo, members of the party's National Executive Committee, the CDC Legislative Caucus, opposition political leaders, and representatives. Kemayah, who serves as Weah's Senior Adviser and Chief Special Envoy, is also the Political Leader of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE).

Weah's remarks renewed attention on the government's response to the Kinjor killings, particularly the accountability measures pursued against security personnel and the support provided to affected families. He argued that poverty and lack of political influence should never determine the level of protection citizens receive from the state.

The Saudi rice case involves 29,412 bags of rice donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for disaster victims and vulnerable communities in Liberia. Prosecutors alleged that thousands of the donated bags were diverted from their intended beneficiaries. Weah's comments have added to the controversy surrounding the case, with his supporters questioning the circumstances surrounding the prosecutions.

Key points

• Weah accuses the Boakai government of selective justice and political persecution.
• The former president demands the release of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and CDC youths detained in the Capitol arson case.
• Weah challenges the government to account for the 2024 Kinjor killings and defends former officials convicted in the Saudi-donated rice scandal.