-Calls on President Boakai Not to Fall Prey to Self-Seeking Political Interests
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has condemned what it describes as a calculated political effort by some politicians to influence the removal of Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene Dagoseh, accusing the alleged plotters of placing personal political interests ahead of national development.
According to the CSNL, the reported effort is being orchestrated by political actors within the “Rescue Mission” and is intended to undermine what the organization describes as Dagoseh’s developmental and humanitarian contributions, particularly in Grand Bassa County.
The organization said its alleged findings indicate that the reported campaign against Dagoseh is not rooted in concerns about her performance or policy failures at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, but rather in what it characterized as “naked political fear” over her growing popularity and the political ambitions of individuals seeking to protect their interests ahead of the 2029 elections.
The CSNL accused unnamed political power brokers from Grand Bassa County of resorting to blackmail and behind-the-scenes maneuvering to damage Dagoseh’s reputation and pressure President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to remove her from government.
CSNL Defends Dagoseh’s Performance
The civil society organization said President Boakai and the Liberian public should recognize Dagoseh as one of the better-performing members of the administration under the ARREST Agenda.
The CSNL cited several initiatives it attributes to Dagoseh’s leadership at the Commerce Ministry, including efforts to promote economic transformation and private-sector development through the launch of the Accelerate 360 Program under the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade (LIFT) Project.
According to the organization, the program has provided hundreds of Liberian-owned small and medium-sized enterprises with access to financing and markets.
The CSNL also highlighted what it described as strengthened institutional and inter-agency collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, other government ministries and agencies, and relevant private-sector institutions.
Other areas cited by the organization include the promotion of Made-in-Liberia products, efforts to restore public confidence in the Commerce Ministry, protection of Liberian businesses and consumers, market-price stabilization, and increased inspection and regulation of goods.
The organization, however, did not provide independent evidence alongside its statement to substantiate each of the achievements it attributed to the minister.
Grand Bassa Development Claims
Beyond Dagoseh’s ministerial responsibilities, the CSNL said she has personally supported a range of developmental and humanitarian initiatives across Grand Bassa County.
The organization said these efforts have included assistance to women marketers, youth entrepreneurs and farmers through business grants, training and logistical support.
It also cited interventions in education and healthcare that it said have benefited underprivileged families across the county.
The CSNL contrasted these activities with what it described as the failure of some career politicians from Grand Bassa to undertake comparable initiatives over the years.
The organization further asserted that Dagoseh has carried out these activities without a record of corruption or administrative malpractice, though it did not provide documentation to independently establish that claim.
CSNL Appeals to President Boakai
Against the backdrop of the reported removal effort, the CSNL is urging President Boakai to carefully assess the minister’s performance and not allow what it characterizes as partisan or personal political considerations to determine appointments within his administration.
“The Liberian people did not elect this government for job-sharing among political elites, but for results and reform,” the organization said.
The CSNL warned that removing Dagoseh without performance-based justification would, in its view, undermine meritocracy and represent a setback to the ARREST Agenda.
The organization also called on the politicians it believes are behind the alleged campaign to desist from targeting a performing government official because of concerns about the 2029 elections.
Appeal to Women and Grand Bassa Citizens
The CSNL is further calling on Liberian women, members of the Bassa community, and other citizens to oppose what it describes as an effort to silence one of the few female ministers it considers to be performing strongly in government.
“Let us not sit and watch good public servants, like Minister Magdalene Dagoseh, being sacrificed for selfish political interests,” the organization said.
The allegations come amid growing political maneuvering ahead of Liberia’s 2029 elections, when questions surrounding political alliances, influence, and government appointments are expected to intensify.
For now, the claims concerning an organized effort to remove Minister Dagoseh remain allegations advanced by the Civil Society Network of Liberia. No response from President Boakai, Minister Dagoseh, or the politicians alleged to be behind the reported effort was included in the CSNL statement.
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