MONROVIA – The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has sharply condemned a May 24, 2025, statement from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) targeting Bomi County Senator and ECOWAS Parliamentarian Edwin Snowe. In a press release issued Sunday, May 25, 2025, the CMC described the government’s pronouncement as “reckless,” “vindictive,” and an “assault on free speech, political pluralism, and democratic values.”
The government’s statement, which accused Senator Snowe of plotting to destabilize Liberia and using his ties within ECOWAS to undermine the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, was met with outrage by the CMC. The group dismissed the allegations as baseless and dangerous, warning that such narratives erode democratic norms and criminalize dissent.
“This reckless communication from MICAT is not only laced with falsehoods and misrepresentations, it is a direct assault on free speech,” the CMC stated. “To publicly accuse a sitting senator of plotting to undermine the state without a shred of verified evidence is both irresponsible and vindictive.”
The CMC further criticized the government’s appeal to ECOWAS and international partners to take action against Senator Snowe. “This is not just poor governance, it is state-sponsored intimidation, and it must not be normalized,” the group declared, adding that ECOWAS is not an extension of the ruling party’s propaganda apparatus.
The CMC called on the Boakai administration to recognize that political dissent is not sedition and that the right to criticize and challenge those in power is a cornerstone of democracy. The group urged ECOWAS and other partners to view the government’s accusations for what they are, an attempt to scapegoat critics and deflect from its own shortcomings.
“We in the CMC believe that no amount of propaganda can erase the truth, and no threats can silence the demand for justice, good governance, and accountable leadership,” the statement continued. “We remain firm in our commitment to democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law.”
The CMC also demanded an immediate retraction of MICAT’s statement and a public apology to the Liberian people for what it described as an abuse of power.
The controversy erupted after the Government of Liberia issued a press statement on May 24 condemning Senator Snowe for allegedly declaring that he would use his ECOWAS connections to ensure the failure of the Boakai administration, including discouraging foreign investment and creating instability until he becomes president. The government labeled such statements as “irresponsible” and warned that no citizen has the right to plot the destabilization of the country under the guise of political ambition.
In response, the government called on international bodies to prevent any such plans from materializing and reassured Liberians that it remains committed to peace, security, and economic progress.
However, the Citizens Movement for Change says it will continue to speak out against what it views as authoritarian tendencies and defend Liberia’s fragile democracy.
