MONROVIA – Opposition political parties in Liberia have issued a joint condemnation following the arson attack on STAND, a prominent civil society organization, calling the incident a dangerous return to the nation’s darkest past. The parties, including the Alternative National Congress (ANC), the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), and the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), released a powerful statement on December 11, 2025, demanding immediate government action and transparency.
According to the statement, the attack occurred on the eve of STAND’s planned protest and represents what the opposition views as an alarming assault on democratic freedoms. They described the act as “heinous,” stressing that Liberia cannot afford to regress to an era when dissent was violently suppressed and citizens feared to express opposing views. The attack, they warned, has revived painful memories of a time when questioning the government was treated as a crime.
The opposition bloc argued that the incident casts a damaging shadow over the Boakai administration’s commitment to democracy and civic liberty. They emphasized that the public perception linking the government to the attack is deeply troubling and must be urgently addressed. According to their statement, it is essential for the administration to distance itself clearly and convincingly from any suggestion of involvement, whether direct or indirect.
Calling for urgent accountability, the parties demanded a thorough and impartial investigation, including the involvement of external experts. They insisted that transparency is non-negotiable and that the findings must be made public to reassure the population that the rule of law remains intact. Anything less, they argued, would amount to a failure to defend democratic norms and protect citizens’ rights.
The statement sharply criticized what the opposition characterized as government silence in the face of a national security and human rights concern. “Silence is not neutral,” they declared. “Silence sends a signal.” They described the administration’s lack of immediate public reaction as unacceptable and warned that such inaction risks being interpreted as indifference, or worse, complicity.
They further asserted that this attack should not be viewed in isolation. Instead, they claim it forms part of a troubling pattern that threatens national stability and undermines Liberia’s democratic achievements. The parties reminded the public that the nation’s democracy is still fragile and must be guarded against any actions that foster intimidation, lawlessness, or impunity.
In a direct message to the government, the opposition leaders minced no words: “We will not accept this. We will not allow this to continue. We will not allow our country to be pushed into anarchy.” They reaffirmed their commitment to defending democracy through peaceful and constitutional means, while insisting that any attempt to erode civil liberties will be met with firm resistance.
The group also expressed strong solidarity with STAND and other civil society institutions that operate lawfully and advocate for citizens’ rights. They emphasized that dissent is not a threat to the state but an essential ingredient of any functioning democracy. The attack, they said, violates not only STAND’s rights but the very principles Liberians have fought to uphold.
The opposition’s message also reinforced their rejection of any movement toward authoritarianism. They described the assault on STAND as an affront to freedom and a clear warning sign that must not be ignored. Liberians, they stated, deserve a country where every voice, especially those that challenge authority, can be heard without fear.
As the nation grapples with the implications of the attack, the statement urged citizens to stay vigilant and united. They encouraged the public to maintain peaceful resolve while demanding justice, stressing that division and fear are tools used to weaken societies and undermine accountability.
The group called on the international community to monitor developments closely. They urged international partners to apply pressure on the Boakai administration to uphold constitutional responsibilities and ensure justice for all. They argued that the world must not look away when democratic values are under threat in Liberia.
The release concluded with signatures from the national chairpersons of the four collaborating opposition parties: Hon. Lafayette Orishal Gould of the ANC, Hon. James Yougee of the CMC, Hon. Prince Mehn of MOVEE, and Atty. Janga A. Kowo of the CDC. Their unified stance signals a growing political pushback against what they consider a dangerous rise in threats to civic freedoms.
The joint statement underscores a pivotal moment in Liberia’s political atmosphere. As investigations into the attack are awaited, the opposition maintains that the response from the Boakai administration will determine whether the nation remains on the path of democratic consolidation or edges toward suppression and instability.
