Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has urged Liberians to embrace calm, constructive criticism, and national unity as the country adjusts to a new political era under the current administration.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with a local radio station in Gbarnga on Friday, August 1, Taylor reflected on her tenure in government and offered measured commentary on the state of the nation.
“What has happened has happened,” she said, referring to the transition of political power. “There will be a way of constructive criticism.”
Taylor openly acknowledged her administration’s communication shortcomings, conceding that more could have been done to keep the public informed.
“I agree—we didn’t provide enough information to the media,” she admitted.
Looking ahead to Liberia’s political future, the former Vice President believes the country will remain divided along two major political blocs heading into the 2029 elections.
“I still think that there will be two blocs in 2029. And the Unity Party will see the real Liberians,” she said.
On the performance of the current government, Taylor cautioned against premature judgments, noting that the administration has served just over a year.
“The President is completing all the projects he inherited. Now he has to define his own signature projects,” she noted.
“Let’s give them some more time to show what they have to offer the Liberian people.”
Addressing growing claims of political witch-hunting, Taylor rejected the notion that the current administration is solely targeting the opposition. She pointed to recent investigations involving members of the ruling Unity Party as signs of broad-based accountability.
“Some people say the government is witch-hunting the opposition,” she said. “But the former chairperson of the LTA, a Unity Party partisan, has been suspended and called for investigation. Mary Broh, a strong Unity supporter, has also been asked to answer for her stewardship. We didn’t see this in the past ten years.”
Taylor emphasized that while accountability is necessary, it must be conducted through lawful and impartial processes.
“We want people to have their day in court and clear their names. Court proceedings must be transparent, independent, and fair.”
On civic rights, the former Vice President reaffirmed her support for peaceful protest and constitutional freedoms.
“People have the right to protest under the Constitution. The government must allow them to exercise those rights and listen to their concerns,” she said.
Taylor’s remarks come amid growing national debate over governance, public trust, and the direction of the country.
Her call for patience, transparency, and fairness is being seen by many as a balanced and experienced perspective during a period of political transition.
