MONROVIA, Liberia — The Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) has notified the Government of Liberia of a nationwide protest on December 17, 2025, under the slogan “Lead or Leave – Enough Is Enough,” saying the action will press for reforms after authorities “deliberately failed” to address demands presented during a July 17 march.
In a notice routed through the Ministry of Justice, STAND Chair Mulbah K. Morlu said the December action continues a “struggle for justice and accountability,” citing concerns over the rule of law, corruption, impunity, economic hardship, healthcare gaps, gender‑based violence and the spread of narcotics. He argued national conditions have worsened, pointing to inflation, rising poverty and fraying public services.
Morlu said citizens will “rise across all regions ‘octopus‑style’ to make their voices heard,” and pledged a peaceful but firm action grounded in constitutional rights. “This is not just a protest but a national movement to restore dignity, justice, and hope,” he said.
Immediate Backlash on Airwaves
The announcement drew sharp criticism from callers on JOY FM’s popular talk show, who labeled STAND the “wrong messenger” to lead an anti‑corruption and accountability push because of Morlu’s past as chairman of the then‑ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Callers alleged that during the CDC’s tenure the country saw arbitrary arrests, violence, and entrenched graft, and accused Morlu of failing to speak up at the time.
Several callers cited unresolved cases that roiled public opinion in recent years—the deaths of Liberia Revenue Authority auditors, the death of former Central Bank staffer Matthew Innis, the disappearance of three boys, and the reported assault of SUP/UL students near the U.S. Embassy—and questioned Morlu’s moral standing to challenge the current government.
“Mulbah Morlu and his STAND group is an offspring of the CDC… it is just an undercover move to pretend that he cares for Liberians now that his party is in opposition,” one caller said, echoing others who accused STAND of masquerading as civil society while seeking to return the CDC to power. Another caller argued that if the intent is genuine reform, organizers should not threaten to defy police instructions on the day of the protest, urging that any action remain strictly law‑abiding.
STAND’s Position and What’s Next
STAND maintains the December 17 protest will be peaceful and nationwide, with participants remaining in the streets until “legitimate demands are met.” The group casts the action as a response to what it says was government silence or mockery following the July 17 protests, when thousands marched peacefully across the country.
It was not immediately clear whether the Ministry of Justice or the Liberia National Police had formally responded to STAND’s notification. Callers to JOY FM said they support citizens’ right to assemble but urged organizers to avoid any steps that could risk disorder, stressing that Liberia’s peace must not be jeopardized.
