MONROVIA – “Leadership must rescue its people, not reduce them to beggars.” With this stinging rebuke, Alternative National Congress (ANC) National Chairman Lafayette E.O. Gould has sharply criticized the Unity Party–led government over recent demolition exercises carried out by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), warning that state-led development must never come at the expense of citizens’ dignity and survival.
In a statement issued on February 10, 2026, Gould said the demolitions, particularly in Monrovia’s 72nd Community, expose a deeper crisis of governance defined by poor planning, weak coordination, and a troubling absence of empathy for ordinary Liberians. He stressed that hundreds of citizens were abruptly displaced without adequate safeguards, leaving families traumatized and uncertain about their future.
While acknowledging the legitimate need to improve the welfare, accommodation, and working conditions of Liberia’s men and women in uniform, Gould argued that such objectives cannot justify actions that destroy civilian livelihoods. “Development that displaces citizens without consultation, compensation, or resettlement is not progress,” he said, calling it “a failure of leadership.”
According to the ANC, the demolition exercise left women, children, the elderly, and small business owners homeless and out of work, compounding Liberia’s already fragile social conditions. Gould said the government’s slow and muted response to the humanitarian fallout reflects a lack of urgency and accountability at the highest levels of leadership.
“Governance must never be reduced to the exercise of power without responsibility,” Gould warned, emphasizing that national security and development policies must be people-centered. He said actions taken in the name of progress should uplift citizens, not deepen their suffering.
The ANC chairman strongly condemned any policy or operation that renders Liberians homeless, insisting that no government acting in good faith would displace its own people without a clear and humane plan. He said the demolitions highlight the need for a fundamental shift in how the government approaches development and security interventions.
Gould called on the Unity Party–led administration to immediately prioritize the relocation, compensation, and welfare of all affected residents. He urged authorities to ensure that no future demolition is carried out without comprehensive resettlement plans, meaningful community engagement, and enforceable social safeguards.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the ANC leader pressed for broader reforms in governance style. He urged the government to embrace transparent, inclusive, and consultative decision-making processes, including engagement with community leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders before implementing actions that directly affect citizens’ lives.
“True leadership is measured not by force or authority, but by compassion, foresight, and respect for human dignity,” Gould said, underscoring the ANC’s belief that empathy is central to effective governance. He argued that sustainable development requires trust between the state and the people.
At what he described as a critical moment for the country, Gould warned that Liberia cannot afford leadership that destroys homes without offering hope. “Liberia needs leadership that builds homes instead of destroying lives,” he said, urging the government to change course.
The ANC concluded by calling on the Boakai administration to govern with empathy, justice, and accountability, reminding officials that no Liberian should be rendered homeless by the very government sworn to protect them.
