By Contributing Writer
MONROVIA – Former Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change Mulbah K. Morlu Jr. has officially launched what he described as the “Save Liberia Protest Coalition,” setting the stage for a massive July 17, 2026 protest aimed at challenging the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai amid worsening economic hardship, allegations of corruption, and growing concerns over democratic governance.
Speaking Friday, May 8, 2026, during the official launch of the coalition, Morlu delivered a fiery and emotionally charged address in which he accused the Boakai administration of betraying the hopes of ordinary Liberians while allowing suffering, intimidation, and inequality to deepen across the country.
Addressing supporters and sympathizers, Morlu declared that the movement was not being organized for violence or political revenge, but rather to demand “truth, justice, dignity, and Liberia.” He described the coalition as a people-centered movement intended to amplify the frustrations of struggling Liberians, including market women, unemployed youth, civil servants, and vulnerable families.
“We were promised rescue, but we received betrayal,” Morlu declared. “We were promised leadership, but we received excuses. We were promised hope, but today hopelessness is spreading from community to community.”
The former CDC chairman painted a bleak picture of the country’s economic conditions, arguing that the rising cost of rice, transportation, and basic living conditions is crushing ordinary citizens while salaries stagnate and job opportunities disappear. According to him, graduates are sitting at home without opportunities, parents are struggling to feed their children, and small businesses are collapsing under economic pressure.
Morlu further accused the government of allowing corruption and luxury to flourish among officials while the masses continue to suffer. “The poor are tightening their belts, but the corrupt are loosening theirs,” he said, adding that Liberia’s governance system increasingly appears divided between the privileged political class and struggling ordinary citizens.
Throughout his speech, Morlu repeatedly emphasized that the planned protest would remain peaceful, insisting that the movement does not seek chaos or destruction. However, he warned that Liberians are exhausted and no longer willing to remain silent in the face of hardship and what he termed “fake rescue.”
“We are a peaceful people, but we are also a tired people,” Morlu stated. “We are patient people, but patience has limits.”
The protest organizer also revisited previous demonstrations organized by the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) movement and its collaborators, claiming that peaceful protesters demanding accountability were met with intimidation, police aggression, and brutality. Referencing the controversial Kinjor incident, Morlu said Liberians must never forget “the blood, the pain, and the brutality” suffered by citizens.
In one of the strongest portions of his address, Morlu accused the Boakai administration of presiding over selective justice and weakening democratic institutions. He argued that ordinary Liberians face swift punishment while politically connected individuals evade accountability. According to him, Liberia is now experiencing “two Liberias,” one for the powerful and another for the suffering masses.
Morlu also sharply criticized recent political and institutional developments under the Unity Party-led government. He accused the administration of undermining democratic neutrality by appointing Jonathan Weedor to head the National Elections Commission, alleging that the appointment reflects partisan political influence rather than neutrality.
The former CDC official additionally targeted Gregory Coleman, accusing the Liberia National Police leadership of brutality and intimidation against peaceful citizens. Morlu questioned why the government continues to maintain officials he accused of presiding over aggressive actions against protesters and political opponents.
He further criticized President Boakai’s international engagements, claiming the administration is focusing more on public relations and foreign recognition while ordinary Liberians continue to struggle economically at home. “Liberia does not need public relations. Liberia needs genuine rescue,” Morlu asserted.
The speech also touched on national security and governance concerns, with Morlu warning that Liberia’s border challenges and the growing threat of terrorism across West Africa require stronger and more serious leadership. He accused the administration of appearing weak in confronting external threats while allegedly becoming aggressive toward peaceful citizens inside Liberia.
As part of the coalition’s broader political message, Morlu accused the government of suppressing dissent, intimidating critics, and weakening democratic freedoms. He referenced the removal of a sitting Speaker of the House, the expulsion of a lawmaker over free speech issues, and the imprisonment of a citizen accused of insulting a Supreme Court justice as examples of what he called democratic backsliding.
Closing his remarks, Morlu formally announced that the “Lead or Leave Now The 2nd Coming” protest will take place on July 17, 2026, at the Executive Mansion. He described the planned gathering as a defining moment in Liberia’s modern political history, where citizens from across the country will unite peacefully to demand change.
“This time, the people will not back down,” Morlu declared before supporters. “Liberia belongs to the people, and when the people rise together peacefully, no intimidation can stop them.”
