The violent clashes at the Liberian Capitol on December 9, 2024, between lawmakers, divided along factional lines, and the Liberia National Police (LNP) during the 2025 budget hearings underscore the fragility of Liberia’s democracy.
The incident not only disrupted a critical national process but also left several lawmakers injured, raising concerns about governance, the rule of law, and President Joseph Boakai’s capacity to stabilize an increasingly polarized political environment.
The unresolved leadership crisis within the House of Representatives lies at the heart of the turmoil. Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s bloc had urged a boycott of the budget hearings, yet the Ministry of Finance and the Liberia Revenue Authority defied this directive, further inflaming tensions. As Koffa’s loyalists sought to halt proceedings initiated by a breakaway faction of lawmakers, the scene descended into chaos, with tear gas and baton-wielding police clashing with elected officials. This display of political disarray raises several pressing questions: How did Liberia, a country that prides itself on its hard-won democratic gains, reach such a critical juncture? More importantly, what role should President Boakai play in resolving this crisis?
The LNP’s involvement in this episode deserves scrutiny. Koffa has decried the heavy police presence as a politically motivated show of force, reflecting the dangerous entanglement of state security in partisan disputes. The police’s intervention at a legislative session—a space meant to be sacrosanct for debate and deliberation—sets a troubling precedent. It signals a potential erosion of the separation of powers, a cornerstone of democracy, and risks fostering a culture where political disagreements are resolved through force rather than dialogue.
President Boakai, as the head of state, cannot afford to stand aloof. His silence or perceived indifference could exacerbate the crisis and alienate an already disillusioned population. Liberians are grappling with economic hardships, and any delay in passing the 2025 national budget—projected at $851.8 million—threatens to deepen their struggles. The President must act decisively to mediate between the warring factions within the legislature and restore a sense of order and purpose to the House of Representatives.
Boakai’s role should not merely be reactionary. This crisis allows him to demonstrate statesmanship by convening stakeholders to address the root causes of the leadership impasse. He must also ensure that security forces operate within the bounds of the law, protecting rather than undermining democratic institutions. A failure to do so risks turning the Capitol’s current chaos into a broader crisis of governance that could destabilize the nation.
As Liberia stands at this crossroads, its leaders must recognize the broader implications of their actions. The discord at Capitol Hill threatens to erode public trust in the government, potentially dissuading international partners from investing in Liberia’s democratic and economic development. More importantly, it risks plunging ordinary Liberians deeper into despair.
The events of December 9 should serve as a wake-up call. Democracy thrives on dialogue, compromise, and respect for institutional frameworks—not violence and political grandstanding. President Boakai must lead efforts to ensure that Liberia’s democratic gains are not squandered. The competing blocs within the legislature must also put the nation’s interest above personal or political ambitions.
The Liberian people deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare over power struggles. The wounds from the Capitol chaos must heal quickly, for if they fester, ordinary citizens will bear the brunt of a fractured democracy. Let the painful lessons from this episode inspire leaders to choose collaboration over confrontation and governance over chaos. Only then can Liberia emerge stronger and more united.
