In a powerful address to Liberians in Staten Island, New York, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai praised the resilience and determination of Liberians during the 2023 elections, stating that their collective willpower saved the nation from further descent into chaos.
Addressing a crowd at a welcome ceremony organized by the Liberian community on September 22, President Boakai did not mince words, stating that had the previous CDC-led administration remained in power for just two more years, “Liberia would have been a different place for us, far worse than it already was.”
Boakai stressed that leadership’s core responsibility is to improve the people’s dignity and access to basic necessities, including quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure. “We owe it to our people to provide clean water, proper roads, energy, and electricity,” he said, adding that these are not privileges but rights.
Reflecting on the previous administration’s governance, he shared how Liberia was “drifting into chaos,” which left many Liberians, both at home and abroad, deeply concerned. The President drew from James 4:17 to highlight the moral duty to act in times of need: “He who knows how to do good, but fails, is guilty of sin.”
Boakai made it clear that his government’s focus is on transformation, both for Liberians living in the country and those in the diaspora. “We want to build a Liberia that you and your children would want to come back to not just to visit, but to stay,” he said, sparking applause from the audience.
He recounted the decisive steps he’s already taken since assuming office, including signing the Code of Conduct, declaring and publishing his assets, undergoing a drug test to emphasize his commitment to the fight against drug abuse, and issuing Executive Order 131 to establish war and economic crimes courts.
On the topic of accountability, President Boakai was resolute: Liberians deserve justice. He underscored the importance of bringing closure to the lingering scars of the civil wars, noting that many victims still suffer in silence while some perpetrators hold leadership positions. “This court is not a tool for witch-hunting, but a necessary step for healing and justice,” he said.
Finally, the President assured Liberians that his efforts to attract international investors are being carried out with their best interests in mind. “We’re inviting investors, but make no mistake—they will be held to the highest standards for the benefit of the Liberian people,” he emphasized.
Boakai and his team are in New York ahead of his scheduled address at the UN General Assembly, where Liberia will launch its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
