MONROVIA – Former President George Weah has expressed deep shock and concern over what he described as the police’s decision to open fire on unarmed civilians near the headquarters of his party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), and in the surrounding area. In a strong statement issued following the police raid on the CDC’s national headquarters located on Tubman Boulevard in Congo Town, Weah condemned the police’s actions, characterizing them as a significant threat to peace and a serious question mark over the United Party (UP)-led administration’s ability to govern responsibly.
“The UP administration boasts of their governing abilities, yet they are demonstrating a lack of tolerance. Why would they open fire on innocent civilians? The attacks began as early as 2 AM,” Weah stated. “This is not an example of good governance. We are a nation that upholds the rule of law. This must end immediately. We demand explanations.”
The situation has grown increasingly tense, with violent confrontations breaking out between riot police and CDC supporters from the early hours of the morning. Disturbing footage from the scene shows riot police forcefully detaining party supporters, with one particularly harrowing video capturing the police dragging a supporter out of the party’s headquarters amidst clouds of tear gas.
Reports suggest that at approximately 4:30 AM on Thursday, officers from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) conducted a raid targeting alleged drug dealers in the Small-Town Community, where the CDC headquarters is located. The alleged dealers reportedly fled into the CDC headquarters, prompting the officers to pursue them inside.
CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee took to social media at around 6 AM, revealing that “Heavily armed state security forces have invaded our party’s headquarters for the second time this morning, engaging in sporadic shootings that have created widespread panic and chaos among citizens and partisans in and around the headquarters.” Koijee further called for immediate international attention, urging ECOWAS, the African Union, the global community, and Liberians, particularly CDC supporters, to condemn what he labeled as an unjustifiable action by the Boakai administration aimed at disturbing Liberia’s hard-won peace.
Weah echoed these sentiments, stating, “The UP administration claims they know how to govern, but they are not exhibiting tolerance. Why open fire on innocent civilians? As early as 2 AM, they started attacking. This is not good governance. We are a nation of rule and law. This needs to stop. We demand answers.”
Koijee also accused the administration of compromising national peace, arguing that “The peace of this country is far bigger than President Boakai and what he terms as a gang of political desperadoes.” He described how late in the night, a police vehicle drove into the CDC compound, where officers began firing shots and conducting raids. The fate of some CDC supporters remains unknown, with Koijee insisting that such provocations are unacceptable and require immediate redress.
