A group of young Liberians under the banner, “Liberians Marching in Solidarity with Captain Ibrahim Traoré”, on Wednesday, April 30th, took to the street of Monrovia to show solidarity with the leader of Burkina Faso.
They didn’t achieve their objective on Wednesday, as they were prevented by the Liberian National Police (LNP) on grounds that they never had permit to demonstrate in the street.
They argued that they had written the Minister of Justice weeks ago asking for the permit but their request was never expressly granted as the Ministry never responded to them. They narrated that the officials of the Ministry of Justice said they didn’t receive any letter from them.
“Because of that, we are law abiding youths, we will leave the street today. But we are going to return. We will go back to the Ministry of Justice to get the permit,” one of the peacefully protesting young men said.
Following their dismissal from the street, the Ministry of Justice issued a press release on May 1, 2025, in which it says: “Several persons displaying the Liberian flag and a banner showing a photograph of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Military Leader of Burkina Faso, took to the streets of Monrovia where, they apparently marched in solidarity with the Leader from that African Country for reasons best known to them, obstructing and disrupting the normal course of business in that area.”
“The Ministry of Justice wishes to inform the public that it did not sanction this march. The Ministry of Justice is the statutory authority responsible to grant permits to all Liberians wishing to protest or march in solidarity for causes they believe in.
While it is the constitutional right of all Liberians to peacefully protest, the stakeholders of any protest must first get permission from the Ministry of Justice through a written permit. This permit will enable law enforcement to protect protesters, guide their movement and prevent unnecessary traffic which is likely to obstruct the work of other citizens, the government and private businesses.
The Ministry of Justice condemns this unauthorized solidarity march and all other protests or marches that do not adhere to the processes under which such activities are held!
Protest or marches where permits are not sought from the Ministry of Justice will be considered hostile and a blatant disregard for the rule of Law. Let this serve as a warning to the stakeholders of all future protest or marches and note that perpetrators when caught will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
