MONROVIA – A campus-based political party at the University of Liberia, the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) has strongly criticized the administration of President Joseph Boakai, accusing it of failing to uphold its promises of good governance and anti-corruption efforts. Despite lofty commitments to transform national leadership from a platform of self-benefit to one of honest service and accountability, the SUP asserts that the Boakai regime’s actions have fallen drastically short.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, SUP highlighted several unfulfilled promises, beginning with Boakai’s pledge to conduct a comprehensive audit of the outgoing Weah administration. This promise, according to the SUP, has been “thrown in the trash can,” and the current Asset and Property Retrieval Task Force has become ineffective, mired in “power struggle, incompetence, greed, and insincerity.”
SUP particularly condemned President Boakai’s handling of allegations of abuse of power involving the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. They claim that Boakai has deliberately avoided taking decisive action against his old-school friend, which they see as a blatant act of cronyism. “Sadly and regrettably, the Boakai regime has only shown this commitment in lip service, not in practical action,” SUP declared.
Further criticisms were leveled at the Boakai administration for its failure to enforce the declaration of assets and liabilities by government officials. The SUP argued that this neglect demonstrates a significant “gross disregard for the promises made to the Liberian people,” warning that this sets a troubling precedent for Boakai’s term in office.
The Vanguard SUP went on to criticize Boakai for not taking a stand against the previous CDC administration’s handling of state affairs, despite its reputation as one of the most corrupt in Liberia’s history. The SUP noted, “Mr. Boakai sees nothing wrong with the CDC handling of the state even though that government is known and noted as one of the most notorious and criminal administration in the country’s history.”
SUP also decried the administration’s employment practices, accusing it of relying on “patronage and partisanship” rather than merit. They claimed that Boakai’s government is delegating national duties to individuals they described as “high school delinquents, misfits, and apprentice who are doom to fail,” drawing a parallel to the previous Weah administration’s alleged incompetence.
“Comrades, a government that espouses and embraces an anti-corruption philosophy is unable to even demand its officials to declare their assets and liabilities,” the SUP stated. They argued that the lack of political will to combat corruption is becoming increasingly evident, describing the Boakai administration as a “conglomerate of blood-thirsty economic thugs” more interested in personal enrichment than public service.
In conclusion, the SUP called on the Boakai-Koung government to honor its anti-corruption promises by not only auditing the Weah administration but also reviewing the 12 years of Unity Party rule under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. They urged the Liberian people to hold the
