MONROVIA – Former President George Manneh Weah has sharply criticized the government’s handling of charges against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, warning that Liberia’s democratic institutions and justice system must not be interfered with.
Weah made the remarks on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, shortly after returning to Liberia, where he was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters at the airport.
Responding to questions from journalists about the criminal charges against his former vice president, Weah said he had been closely monitoring the situation and expressed concern over what he described as interference with the rule of law.
“We’ve all been monitoring. I think the rule of law is being tampered with,” Weah said.
The former president went further, describing the situation surrounding Howard-Taylor as unacceptable and accusing the government of actions that, in his view, could undermine justice.
“I believe that what is going on with former VP, the government, they’re all boogers and it’s unacceptable,” Weah stated.
He stressed that democratic governance cannot be used as a justification for actions that interfere with justice.
“You can’t, you can’t, you know, or through democracy, you can’t behave in this way. It’s wrong,” Weah said.
His comments come amid heightened public attention surrounding Howard-Taylor, who has been charged in connection with an alleged transnational narcotics trafficking investigation involving a large cocaine seizure.
The former vice president has denied wrongdoing, while the government has maintained that the matter is being handled through the legal process.
Weah’s intervention now places the former president directly into one of the country’s most closely watched political and legal controversies.
He also warned against what he characterized as interference with the justice system, suggesting that Liberia’s institutions must be protected from political influence.
“Tampering with justice, it’s wrong,” Weah said.
He added that there would come a time when Liberians would have to stand up to protect the country’s justice institutions.
“And I believe that the justice system, there’ll come a time that we have to protect them,” he stated.
Weah’s comments are likely to intensify political debate over the government’s handling of the case and the broader relationship between political power and the justice system.
The former president’s return also comes at a politically sensitive moment, with opposition figures increasingly scrutinizing the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai over issues of governance, accountability and the treatment of political opponents.
Weah used his return to call for peace and caution, reminding Liberians of the country’s history of civil conflict and political instability.
He argued that Liberia cannot afford developments that threaten democratic progress or weaken confidence in national institutions.
For Weah, the controversy surrounding Howard-Taylor is therefore not simply a question involving one former government official. His remarks frame the matter as part of a larger test of Liberia’s commitment to the rule of law and democratic governance.
The former president has also been seeking to position the opposition for broader political engagement. He defended his proposal to bring opposition political leaders together for a roundtable discussion, saying the initiative is intended to create space for stakeholders to openly discuss the country’s political challenges.
The proposed meeting could provide an opportunity for opposition leaders to identify areas of common concern and develop a coordinated response to issues confronting Liberia.
However, Weah’s strongest message following his return was directed at protecting Liberia’s democratic and legal institutions.
He urged Liberians to remain committed to peace and democracy, particularly given the country’s painful history.
