MONROVIA – The Unity Party Montserrado Youth Congress has responded strongly to the booing of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at Rehab Junction, warning political actors against conduct it considers provocative while urging its own supporters to exercise restraint.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 2 and has prompted the governing party’s youth leadership to call for greater political civility and tolerance as Liberia continues to navigate its democratic process.
In a statement released on Friday, September 4, 2026, the Unity Party Montserrado Youth Congress said political disagreement is a constitutional right but argued that deliberate disrespect and conduct intended to undermine the dignity of the presidency should not be accepted.
The youth congress described the incident involving President Boakai as unfortunate and politically provocative, saying such behavior does not contribute to the culture of political tolerance Liberia needs.
The group said the Unity Party is neither intimidated nor destabilized by political provocation and possesses the organizational capacity and political strength to respond.
However, it said the party’s decision to exercise restraint reflects responsibility rather than weakness.
As the governing party, the youth congress said the Unity Party has a greater obligation to protect Liberia’s peace, stability and democratic order.
The statement said the party therefore intends to respond to political provocation through democratic and legal means rather than retaliation.
The youth congress also warned that its commitment to peace should not be interpreted as acceptance of unlawful conduct against President Boakai, the Unity Party’s Standard Bearer or other party leaders.
It called on relevant institutions to act decisively and impartially whenever violations of the law occur.
The group further said the Unity Party would use every legitimate democratic and legal mechanism available to defend the dignity, rights and security of its leaders when they are threatened, harassed or subjected to unlawful conduct.
The statement also appealed directly to opposition political actors and their supporters.
The youth congress urged them to demonstrate political maturity and remember that Liberia’s national interest must take precedence over partisan political ambitions.
“No political victory is worth sacrificing the peace of our nation,” the statement said.
At the same time, the Unity Party youth leadership urged its own supporters, especially young people, not to respond to political provocation with anger or retaliation.
The group warned that supporters could be drawn into conduct that ultimately undermines the peace the party says it is committed to preserving.
Instead, it urged Unity Party partisans to channel their political energy into organization, democratic participation and political mobilization.
The youth congress also broadened its message beyond the immediate controversy, arguing that political parties are temporary institutions while Liberia is permanent.
It called on Liberians of all political affiliations, including members of the Unity Party, opposition parties and independents, to put the country ahead of personal ambition and partisan interests.
The statement urged citizens to disagree without destroying one another, compete without hatred, criticize without disrespect and defend political convictions without violence.
The Unity Party Montserrado Youth Congress reaffirmed its support for President Boakai and democratic governance while stressing that peace remains central to its political position.
The group said Liberia must come first, followed by peace and democracy.
The statement was signed by Yusuf M. Konneh, Public Relations Officer of the Unity Party Montserrado Youth Congress, Montserrado County.
