The political pressure group STAND ( Solidarity of Trust or A New Day) has officially announced plans for a major protest on December 17, describing it as a “decisive turning point” in Liberia’s democratic resistance. The protest, which is still in the early stages of mobilization, is being framed by organizers as a bold challenge to what they allege is the ongoing abuse of power under the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu, a prominent opposition figure and former chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), issued a public statement on Thursday night via social media, signaling the group’s readiness to confront what he calls government “incompetence and betrayal of the people’s mandate.”
“December 17 Protest is Coming. A decisive turning point against the abuse of power. Bigger. Louder. Fearless. Uncompromising,” Morlu declared. “Boakai – Lead or Leave. No Retreat. Enough is Enough. Grateful to all volunteers for today’s powerful meeting as we prepare for this Thursday’s historic Resistance launch. The die is cast.”
Thursday’s preparatory meeting reportedly drew dozens of organizers and volunteers from various civil society and political networks aligned with STAND’s cause. Sources close to the movement say the protest will focus on “demanding accountability, transparency, and decisive leadership from the Boakai-led government.”
The protest call comes amid growing public discontent over persistent economic hardship, youth unemployment, rising living costs, and allegations of governmental inaction. Critics of the Boakai administration accuse it of failing to deliver on key campaign promises nearly two years after taking office.
Political analysts say STAND’s push is part of a broader wave of political mobilization and activism that has been simmering since the 2023 election cycle. While STAND claims to represent non-partisan citizen interests, its leadership and rhetoric have drawn support largely from opposition party loyalists and civil society actors critical of the current administration.
The Boakai administration has yet to officially respond to STAND’s announcement. However, government insiders have in the past accused Morlu and similar protest movements of seeking to destabilize the country under the guise of activism.
Security sources say they are monitoring the situation closely but emphasized that citizens have the constitutional right to assemble and protest peacefully.
Earlier, major demonstration by STAND under the “Enough is Enough” banner was July 17, 2025.
The protest held in Monrovia (Capitol Hill), organized by STAND (Solidarity Trust for a New Day), with Mulbah K. Morlu as the leading figure accused the Boakai-Koung leadership of covering corruption, abuse of office, mismanagement, and failures in governance.
However, public reaction to the planned protest has been mixed. While some Liberians on social media have voiced strong support for STAND’s message and tactics, others have expressed skepticism about the protest’s potential impact, citing past demonstrations that ended with little tangible change.
“I support any effort to hold the government accountable, but we must also be careful not to descend into chaos,” said Timothy Dennis, a university student in Margibi. “The country needs solutions, not just slogans.”
As the December 17 date approaches, all eyes will be on STAND and its capacity to mobilize broad-based participation. Organizers say they will continue to hold strategy meetings and public forums across Liberia in the coming weeks to galvanize support.
For now, Morlu’s message is clear: STAND views this protest as a historic moment ~ one they hope will mark a new chapter in Liberia’s political awakening.
