Monrovia, Liberia – The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has sharply criticized the Unity Party–led government following a December 6 police operation that blocked access to the construction grounds of the CDC’s new headquarters in Sinkor. In a fiery statement issued Friday, December 7, the CDC described the incident as “state intimidation” and part of a growing pattern of political provocation under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The press release, signed by CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga A. Kowo, accused armed officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) of barricading the site in a manner the party claims mirrors “dark chapters” of Liberia’s past. According to the CDC, the police action was not an issue of enforcement but a “coordinated political attack” engineered to instill fear within the opposition.
CDC Says Police Action Part of “Growing Pattern” of Harassment
The CDC linked Saturday’s standoff to what it says are earlier incidents, including the demolition of its former headquarters and an alleged wrongful police intrusion based on documents “belonging to an entirely different location.” The party insists these episodes were not accidents but deliberate attempts to weaken the opposition.
“These are not mishaps,” the statement reads. “These are deliberate provocations shaping a dangerous narrative about governance under Joseph Nyuma Boakai.”
The LNP has not yet issued a public response to the accusations.
Inspector General Coleman Described as ‘Political Operative’
The CDC leveled strong criticism at Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, accusing him of partisan enforcement of the law. Party officials point to the UP’s recent Homecoming celebration, during which, they say, police allowed “pen-pen riders and jubilant crowds” to flood the streets without consequence — contrasting sharply with the December 6 blockade of the CDC’s event.
The statement alleges that under Coleman, the police have been “transformed into an extension of the ruling party’s political machinery,” eroding the public trust needed to maintain national stability.
Coleman has previously denied claims of partisanship in various public interviews, asserting that the police remain committed to neutrality and the rule of law. As of Saturday, no official statement from the LNP had been released regarding the CDC’s allegations.
CDC Accuses Unity Party Officials of ‘Hypocrisy’ and Violating Code of Conduct
The CDC also accused Unity Party appointees of violating Liberia’s Code of Conduct by participating in partisan activities during official working hours and publicly displaying party insignia.
“They marched through the streets in party attire and turned official work hours into political carnivals,” the release claims, adding that the ruling establishment has no moral authority to lecture others on governance and ethics.
Executive Mansion Accused of Becoming “Propaganda Machine”
The statement further denounced the Executive Mansion for using official government communication channels to promote the Unity Party’s Homecoming Day events — calling it “a desecration of the presidency” and a dangerous blurring of the line between state authority and party politics.
According to the CDC, the action “foreshadows a government willing to collapse state institutions into the belly of one political party.”
CDC Warns of ‘Resistance’ if Actions Continue
The CDC maintains that it has exercised patience despite what it describes as repeated provocations. However, the party warned that its commitment to peace must not be mistaken for weakness.
“The regime has misread our discipline as submission,” the statement said. “If defending democracy demands resistance, then let our names be etched alongside those who refused to betray this republic.”
In one of the strongest assertions of the document, the CDC vowed that it will “defend democracy” and “resist with our lives” if necessary, asserting that the Liberian people will not allow themselves to be governed through fear or intimidation.
Political observers say the rhetoric underscores rising tensions between the ruling establishment and the main opposition — tensions heightened by recent police actions, the Unity Party’s political mobilization, and competing narratives surrounding state neutrality.
Government Yet to Respond
As of the time of publication, the Unity Party and the Boakai administration had not publicly addressed the CDC’s claims. The Executive Mansion continues to tout the administration’s focus on infrastructure, governance reform, and national unity — themes highlighted during its recent Homecoming activities.
The December 6 incident and subsequent war of words are expected to intensify political debate as Liberia moves into a critical year for the Boakai government, with public expectations high and opposition vigilance increasing.
