The Secretary General of opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has released what he sees as a damning report detailing 22 alleged human rights violations under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The accusations, which include police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and politically motivated harassment, have intensified calls for international intervention to address what Koijee describes as a deepening crisis of governance and law enforcement misconduct.
At the heart of these concerns is the alleged role of the Liberian National Police (LNP) under Inspector General Gregory Coleman. CDC through its Secretary report highlights what it claims is a pattern of political manipulation within the police force, including the release of a doctored recording intended to implicate Etheridge Thomas in a recent controversy. This act, CDC argues, is a clear indication of the LNP’s unprofessionalism and willingness to be used as a tool for political persecution.
Inspector General Gregory Coleman, once hailed as a seasoned law enforcement officer, is now facing intense scrutiny for what critics describe as a failure to uphold professional standards within the LNP. The CDC report accuses Coleman of reinstating controversial figures such as Johnny Bolar Dean, Assistant Commissioner for Crime Services, and Sam Ballah, Deputy Chief Investigator—both of whom had been dismissed in the past under questionable circumstances. Their return, according to the opposition, signals a dangerous compromise within the police force, further undermining public trust in law enforcement.
The CDC has also questioned the LNP’s handling of the Capitol Hill fire incident, suggesting a potential cover-up. The report calls on the international community to launch an independent investigation into the police’s role in the events leading up to and following the fire. “It is simply unacceptable that those responsible for maintaining law and order are instead acting as both judge and jury in cases where they have clear conflicts of interest,” the report states.
According to the CDC, Liberia has witnessed 22 significant human rights violations since Boakai took office in January 2024. These incidents include police shootings, mysterious deaths in police custody, and cases of violence that have not been prosecuted. Among the most alarming cases are the deaths of Bangalie Kamara and Essah Massaley, both of whom were reportedly shot by the police on February 28, 2024. The report also cites instances of individuals dying in unclear circumstances, such as the case of a 45-year-old woman known as “Yarmah,” whose body was found mutilated in Lofa County.
Furthermore, the opposition points to what it calls the government’s selective approach to justice, with cases such as the wrongful overdose death of Isaiah Benedicto Williams at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital and the murder of local businessman Hassan Jalloh by Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officers allegedly going unpunished. “There’s no state prosecution in these reported crimes, which raises serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to justice,” the CDC report asserts.
CDC’s report paints a troubling picture of Liberia’s human rights situation and calls on international organizations, including the United Nations and the African Union, to investigate these alleged violations. It argues that under Boakai’s presidency, law enforcement agencies have been weaponized against political opponents while ordinary Liberians suffer from a lack of justice and accountability.
The report also makes direct accusations against top government officials, alleging that key figures in the administration are involved in shielding perpetrators of violence. The case of former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott is highlighted as an example, with the CDC questioning why she was never fully prosecuted for the murder charges previously brought against her. The opposition contends that her subsequent appointment in government is a clear indication of selective justice.
With Liberia’s political landscape becoming increasingly polarized, the CDC’s human rights report is expected to further fuel tensions between the government and the opposition. The allegations, if proven true, could have serious implications for the Boakai administration, both domestically and internationally.
For now, the Liberian people remain caught in the middle of a power struggle where justice appears to be a privilege rather than a right. Whether the international community will heed the CDC’s call for intervention remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that Liberia’s fragile democracy is facing one of its toughest tests yet.
