Monrovia, Liberia – The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has sharply criticized the ruling Unity Party (UP) administration under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for its failure to address the deepening economic and social challenges facing Liberia. The opposition party, in a statement issued on January 27, 2025, pointed out what it described as the government’s “biggest failure” — the inability to foster national reconciliation and unity. According to the CDC, this failure has been glaringly demonstrated by the absence of key legislative leaders and members of the judiciary at the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), a significant national event usually attended by representatives from all branches of government.
The CDC argued that the ongoing legislative crisis, combined with a lack of leadership from the President, has created a toxic division that is eating away at the social fabric of the country. The absence of Senators, Representatives, and Supreme Court Justices from such an important event, the party claimed, serves as a clear signal of the country’s fractured political landscape. Despite Liberia’s many challenges, the CDC believes that national unity could serve as a powerful tool for healing, enabling the country to tackle its most pressing issues, including poverty, the drug crisis, and the urgent need for strong institutions.
“Unity can be a therapy for national healing,” the CDC asserted in their statement, emphasizing that with a reconciled Liberia, citizens could collectively address critical issues like the drug crisis and the erosion of the rule of law. They pointed out that Liberia is not the property of any one political party, tribe, region, or religious group but belongs to all Liberians, irrespective of their backgrounds. The opposition party called on President Boakai to take charge and unite the country, warning that the current division could have devastating long-term effects.
The statement also called for the President to lead a national dialogue aimed at reconciliation and unity. The CDC urged President Boakai to reach out to former national leaders, political parties, religious groups, and the international community to ensure that the process of national healing is inclusive and meaningful. The CDC made it clear that their call for dialogue is not about unifying behind a single political cause or issue, but rather about upholding the core principles of democracy, the rule of law, and national integrity.
The CDC also pointed out that 2024 would go down in history as the year of “Squandered Opportunities” under President Boakai’s leadership. According to the party, this year has been marked by a series of broken promises and democratic betrayals, which have left the nation in disarray. The party accused the Boakai administration of deliberately undermining the rule of law, citing the failed attempt to remove the duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives as a clear example of the administration’s disregard for democratic principles.
The CDC’s statement condemned the Unity Party’s false investment promises in its first year, which they argued have turned into a national disgrace. The opposition party criticized the administration for its lack of accountability and transparency, claiming that the government has prioritized personal and political interests over the welfare of the people. The CDC also accused the government of enabling rampant corruption, which continues to drain the country’s resources, leaving the majority of Liberians in poverty.
“The government has failed its people,” the CDC declared, emphasizing that the administration has shown a repeated inability to fulfill the promises made during the 2023 elections. Instead of addressing the needs of the Liberian people, the CDC claimed that the Boakai government has focused on consolidating political power, turning a blind eye to the suffering of its citizens. This, the party argued, is a betrayal of the aspirations and hopes of the Liberian people.
The CDC demanded that President Boakai and his government take immediate and decisive action to rectify what they termed “egregious wrongs” within the administration. They called for a comprehensive plan to restore the rule of law, reinstate democratic principles, and eliminate corruption at all levels of government. The party stressed that Liberia cannot continue on its current trajectory and that swift and decisive action is necessary to ensure the survival and prosperity of the nation.
As the main opposition party, the CDC reiterated its commitment to demanding accountability, justice, and real progress for Liberia. The statement made it clear that the CDC and other opposition groups would not be silenced or sidelined by the government. They vowed to continue mobilizing and organizing the people to demand change, warning that the squandered opportunities of 2024 cannot be reclaimed.
“The time for change is now,” the CDC declared, calling on all Liberians to join in the fight for a more just and equitable future. The opposition party promised to stand firm in its commitment to restore the country’s democracy, ensure justice for all, and create a future where every citizen has an equal opportunity to succeed. The statement ended with a rallying cry for all Liberians who believe in a better tomorrow, calling for unity and collective action to overcome the current crisis.
The criticism from the CDC came in response to President Boakai’s recent State of the Nation Address. The party held a press conference at its headquarters on Tuesday, January 27, 2025, in Congo Town, where Senator Nathaniel McGill from Margibi County delivered the remarks on behalf of the party.
