Monrovia, Liberia – Jefferson Tamba Koijee, the former Mayor of Monrovia and current National Secretary General of Liberia’s opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has penned a scathing letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing Liberian President Joseph Boakai of widespread corruption, human rights violations, and electoral manipulation. Dated February 26, 2025, the letter is a direct plea for international intervention to address what Koijee deems a critical erosion of Liberia’s democratic institutions under Boakai’s leadership.
In his letter, Koijee expressed his belief that Boakai’s tenure has been marked by a systematic abuse of state resources for personal gain, undermining both Liberia’s legal framework and its democratic processes. He accused President Boakai of using government funds for unauthorized and unexplained expenditures, including $2.3 million in unaccounted-for miscellaneous expenses and $15 million in off-budget spending. Koijee highlighted an incident in which $100,000 was allegedly funneled onto Boakai’s personal debit card for undisclosed purposes, as well as dubious financial dealings involving the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), including inflated vehicle costs that he claimed amounted to $75,000 for a $45,000 purchase.
However, the allegations do not stop at financial misconduct. Koijee painted a stark picture of the broader political climate under Boakai’s rule, which he argued has been marked by an attempt to consolidate power through undemocratic means. He cited what he called a “legislative coup,” accusing Boakai of using state resources to remove Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, the legally elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, in order to secure control over the Legislature. This move, Koijee contends, violated Liberia’s constitutional checks and balances and raised questions about Boakai’s commitment to democratic governance.
The letter went on to accuse Boakai’s government of actively suppressing dissent, referencing violent incidents including the brutal August 2024 raids on the CDC headquarters by police forces. These raids, Koijee claims, led to significant property damage and targeted peaceful citizens protesting against the government. He also highlighted a highly controversial incident in June 2024, when the Armed Forces of Liberia reportedly blocked former President George Weah from accessing the VIP Lounge at Roberts International Airport. Koijee viewed this as a politically motivated attack, with some of his allies suggesting that it could have escalated into an assassination attempt.
Koijee’s letter also accused President Boakai of exacerbating Liberia’s human rights crisis, claiming that over one hundred people have died as a result of state-sponsored violence, including cases of police brutality, gang rape, and ritualistic killings. He linked these atrocities to the government’s broader strategy of silencing opposition through intimidation and violence.
The former Monrovia Mayor further criticized the misuse of U.S. foreign aid under Boakai’s administration, particularly with regard to the $1.5 million allocated by USAID to enhance voter confidence. Koijee claimed that the funds were misused to undermine electoral integrity, accusing the Election Coordinating Committee (ECC) of colluding with Boakai’s Unity Party to manipulate the electoral process. He called for a thorough investigation into the allocation and usage of USAID funds in Liberia, pointing out that U.S. taxpayer dollars were being used to prop up a government he believes is perpetuating corruption and undemocratic rule.
Koijee also took issue with the current deportation of 1,563 Liberians from the U.S., urging Trump to halt these actions, as he argued that returning them to Liberia under Boakai’s administration would subject them to political persecution and violence. He praised Trump’s past support for Liberian immigrants and called on him to continue safeguarding their rights in the face of growing instability in their home country.
In closing, Koijee sought to position Trump as a potential ally in Liberia’s ongoing struggle against corruption and human rights abuses, expressing admiration for Trump’s leadership in defending traditional values and religious freedom. He pointed to historical ties between Liberia and the U.S., including the naming of Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia, after President James Monroe, and emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement in addressing Liberia’s current crisis.
