Bong County, Liberia — The Youth Wing of the Unity Party (UP) and its allied political movements, including the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), Liberty Party, and the Rainbow Alliance, have expressed their deep-seated dissatisfaction with the leadership of Bong County Superintendent Madam Norris. This discontent, which resulted in protestation on Monday, June 9, 2025, stems from what they described as neglecting the sacrifices made by party members during the 2023 Legislative and Presidential elections, wherein they reportedly risked their lives and endured significant hardship to restore the Unity Party to power after its tumultuous pre-presidency period.
Dubbed the “Rescue Missionaries,” the disenchanted Unity Party Youths said they campaigned with unwavering determination, facing grueling conditions characterized by oppressive heat and heavy rainfall. Their unified goal was to revitalize the Unity Party’s standing and secure a successful electoral outcome. However, in a surprising turn of events, many of these supporters now feel a sense of betrayal and exclusion from local governance.
According to them, since Madam Norris was appointed Superintendent, there has been a marked pattern of hostility directed at those who laid the groundwork for her ascension. The Rescue Missionaries added that their relentless efforts to engage with Supt. Norris shared ideas for county development, and continued supporting the Unity Party have been met with disdain and systematic marginalization.
“Our sacrifices were aimed at restoring the Unity Party to power,” a spokesperson from the movement stated. “But instead of recognition, we have faced intentional disrespect and exclusion, particularly from Madam Norris, who seems to forget the very people that made her position possible.”
The grievances presented against Madam Norris highlighted a perceived breach of trust within the local political landscape. The Unity Party youth and its allies accuse her of several critical failures ranging from the “Breach of Trust”, accusing Madam Norris of reportedly breaching the confidence of the Unity Party and its allies by consistently rejecting and abandoning the very individuals who fought to support her rise to power.
They also underscored Unilateral Appointment Decisions, noting that the Superintendent has shown favoritism toward opposition figures, often providing contracts and opportunities to individuals lacking any proven record while sidelining loyal partisans.
Additionally, the UP Youths and Alliance named Mismanagement of Funds, claiming that Madam Norris’s handling of County Social Development Funds, particularly the misappropriation of resources for projects like a failed beans farm and an ineffective beauty pageant, which have yielded no tangible results and exhibited a lack of transparency.
They also highlighted Favoritism in Contract Awarding alleging that Madam Norris has awarded contracts to companies without previous performance records, thereby circumventing public procurement norms.
The Rescue Missionaries have called for immediate action from President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, urging him to address Madam Norris’s conduct and restore proper governance in Bong County. They insist that instead of fostering unity and collaboration, her leadership has sown division and discontent among her supporters.
However, a one-week ultimatum has been given to President Boakai to act promptly in line with their grievances to restore the public, or else the return of the protesters would call more attention as compared to their previous actions.
In response to the aggrieved protesters, the regional Gender Coordinator for Bong Lofa and Nimba counties, Madam Viola Cooper Termiah assured the aggrieved protesters of prompt intervention, calling on them to always seek dialogue over destruction. Joining the voices calling for calm is the National Liaison Officer between the office of President Joseph Boakai and the Traditional Council William B. S. Kollie who also assured the aggrieved protesters of timely intervention.
As tensions rise within the party and allegations of mismanagement swirl, the future of the Unity Party and its allies hangs in the balance. The call for accountability and a shift towards more inclusive leadership resonates strongly among those advocating for change in Bong County, reinforcing the pressing need for unity in local governance.
The Unity Party and its allies remain hopeful that their concerns will be heard, and that measures will be taken to rectify the current state of affairs in Bong County. As this story unfolds, the coalition continues to rally for recognition of their sacrifices and a commitment to restoring integrity within their ranks.
