Recent action by Monrovia City Mayor John-Charuk Siafa has ignited a storm of controversy and allegations of unconstitutional, unlawful dismissal of over five employees of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC). The termination, which appears to be politically motivated, has been sharply criticized for undermining civil liberties and signaling a potential crackdown on free speech and opposition dissent.
The dismissed employees, reportedly linked to the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), were let go based on a recommendation from Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General Josiah Joekai. Joekai’s recommendation asserts that civil servants criticizing public officials, including President Joseph Boakai, should face dismissal. This has raised a nonstop alarm about whether the current administration is engaging in a systematic purge of dissenters from the civil service.
The termination has not only sparked outrage but has also drawn scrutiny regarding the integrity of the Civil Service Agency and the government’s adherence to Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and equal employment opportunities. Critics argue that these dismissals may signify a broader, more troubling pattern of political retribution.
One of the affected individuals, Alpha G. Gray, a Public Relations Officer at the MCC who received a termination letter from Mayor Siafa, was accused of “enraging insults” directed at President Boakai and other government officials via social media. “The dismissal was justified on the grounds of alleged ethical violations and breaches of duty, referencing the MCC’s Human Resource Policy and the Labor Law of Liberia,” the Mayor asserted.
The termination letter stated: “Your employment with the Monrovia City Corporation is hereby terminated with immediate effect. This decision follows your consistent and deliberate actions on social media, where you directed inflammatory remarks at His Excellency Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, and other government officials. This behavior demonstrates a gross disregard for your duties and constitutes a serious ethical violation.”
Critics, including Representative Musa Hasan Bility of Nimba County, have vehemently condemned these dismissal actions. In an open letter, Bility accused the Boakai administration of fostering an environment of lawlessness by allowing such unconstitutional action to proceed unchecked. He urged President Boakai to address the issue directly, warning that his failure to do so would imply complicity in these unlawful dismissals.
Bility’s letter highlighted the potential for these actions to threaten national peace and security. He wrote, “It is alarming to witness the Mayor of Monrovia dismiss civil servants for speaking out against the government. Such actions undermine the rule of law and endanger the stability of our country. As President, you must intervene to rectify these unconstitutional decisions. Your inaction is contributing to a dangerous climate of disorder.”
Adding to the controversy, Montserrado Lawmaker and Senate Foreign Affairs Chair Abraham Darius Dillon criticized the CSA’s recommendation on social media, labeling it a “wrong move.” Dillon argued that dismissing civil servants for expressing their views on governance issues should not be tolerated.
The dismissals not only impact the affected individuals but also set a dangerous precedent where job security may depend on political loyalty rather than professional merit. This situation raises serious questions about the independence of the Civil Service Agency, which is expected to safeguard civil servants’ rights and ensure merit-based employment decisions. Under Joekai’s leadership, the CSA appears to be acting as an instrument of political repression rather than a neutral arbiter.
President Boakai’s silence on this matter is concerning. In a democratic society, the President must ensure that all government branches, including the civil service, adhere to constitutional principles. The lack of a clear response from the President risks further undermining public trust and exacerbating political instability.
“President Boakai must take immediate action. He must reinstate the dismissed employees and hold the CSA and MCC accountable for their actions. Furthermore, a thorough investigation should be conducted into the dismissals, with findings made public to restore confidence in the civil service,” Rep. Bility averred.
In response to the controversy, Verity News has obtained the CSA Standing Order of 2012, which notably lacks provisions addressing social media use. This outdated order fails to reflect the current digital landscape where social media is a prevalent medium for political expression and criticism.
Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen has also weighed in, advocating for an update to the CSA Standing Order to address social media use explicitly. Twayen emphasized the need for a modernized approach to civil servant conduct in the digital age, calling for reforms that balance professional responsibilities with the rights of employees to express their opinions.
Twayen has therefore called for the immediate reinstatement of the civil servants who were dismissed. Some of the dismissed employees include Alpha Gray, Boye Kokoi, Richard Singbeh, Foday Massaquoi, Yaya Sesay, and Ben Togbah.
The current controversy underscores a broader issue: the need for a fair and transparent approach that respects constitutional rights and promotes professional integrity. The administration must act decisively to correct the course and ensure that the civil service remains a bastion of impartiality and justice for all employees regardless of political affiliation.
