STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has praised the resilience of the Liberian people for their critical role in ending the previous CDC-led administration in the 2023 elections. Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Liberian community in Staten Island, New York, over the weekend, President Boakai reflected on the precarious state Liberia was in before his administration took power.
“If the previous government had remained in power for even two more years, Liberia would be a very different place today,” Boakai remarked, stressing that the country had been on the verge of collapse under the George Weah administration, with rapidly deteriorating living conditions for citizens.
Boakai emphasized that it is the responsibility of any government to ensure the dignity of its people by providing essential services like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and reliable energy. “These are basic rights that every Liberian deserves,” he said, criticizing the former government’s failure to deliver on these fronts.
The President expressed gratitude to both Liberians at home and abroad for not standing idly by as their country suffered. Quoting James 4:17 from the Bible, Boakai said, “He who knows how to do good, but fails, is guilty of sin,” underscoring the moral responsibility to act when the nation is in peril.
Boakai reassured the diaspora community that his administration is committed to rebuilding Liberia into a place where citizens and foreign residents alike can thrive. “We want to build a nation that is inviting for Liberians and their families abroad, so that when they come home, they will never want to leave,” he pledged.
Recalling the early actions of his administration, Boakai highlighted key measures such as signing the Code of Conduct, declaring his assets, undergoing a drug test to set an example in the fight against drug abuse, and issuing Executive Order 131 to establish war and economic crimes courts.
On the War Crimes Court, Boakai made a strong case for accountability for the atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars. He stressed that many victims still suffer while some perpetrators remain in leadership roles, saying, “Many perpetrators of crimes against the Liberian people are still in leadership positions while their victims continue to endure pain.”
The President made it clear that the court is not intended to be a tool for witch-hunting but a path toward national healing. “It is an opportunity for accusers and the accused to face their pasts and seek resolution,” he stated.
Additionally, Boakai emphasized his administration’s efforts to attract global investors to Liberia, ensuring that all investments would prioritize the interests of the Liberian people. “Investors will be held to strict standards in the best interest of our citizens,” Boakai assured.
President Boakai is in New York for several days, where he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly and launch Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
