MONROVIA – As President Joseph Boakai prepares to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 19, 2025, the event faces potential disruption from the Student Unification Party (SUP), a prominent student organization at the University of Liberia (UL). SUP has warned that it will obstruct the SONA unless the university is reopened, citing the prolonged closure as a significant issue.
The closure of UL, which has lasted nearly six months, has led to widespread protests, particularly from SUP. The organization has publicly blamed President Boakai and his administration for what it describes as an intentional attempt to suppress student activism and silence critical voices on governance. SUP views the extended closure as a deliberate action to hinder students’ rights to education and curtail their ability to express dissent.
SUP, in a press conference on Monday, January 6, 2025, emphasized its dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation, accusing the administration of failing to prioritize the education of over 22,000 students. A spokesperson for the group said, “We have been subjected to political games for too long, and we can no longer accept the empty promises and inaction.” The group made it clear that any attempt to proceed with the SONA without addressing their demands for the reopening of UL would be met with resistance.
SUP has set January 13, 2025, as the deadline for the government and UL’s administration to reopen the university. The group cites both the Liberian Constitution, which guarantees the right to education, and international agreements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to justify its position. “Ignoring our rights is unacceptable,” SUP declared. “While universities in other parts of the world continue to function, Liberian students are left struggling with fundamental academic needs.”
The group has also criticized the leadership of UL, particularly under Madam Edna Johnny, accusing her of politicizing the education system and undermining students’ futures. SUP has characterized the past year as one of broken promises and has declared 2025 to be a year of resistance and commitment to change.
In its call to action, SUP has urged its members and supporters to stay engaged in the fight for academic freedom, social justice, and peace. The organization has warned that failure to reopen UL by the deadline will lead to unspecified “revolutionary actions” aimed at drawing attention to their cause.
“The right to education is non-negotiable,” SUP concluded. “We demand the University of Liberia be reopened by January 13, 2025, or there will be consequences.”
