MONROVIA – Acarous Moses Gray, former Representative of District #8 in Montserrado County and a key figure in the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has revealed that a bill of impeachment against President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is set to surface in the House of Representatives. Gray made the announcement on his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, stating, “Imminent Bill of Impeachment to surface on the floor of the House of Representatives. Boakai must be removed from office constitutionally.” The revelation has sparked immediate reactions from both political allies and supporters, heightening the already tense political atmosphere in Liberia.
Gray’s post followed a press conference by CDC political leader and former President George Weah. During the conference, Weah accused President Boakai of disrespecting the rule of law by attempting to illegally remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, a move Weah claims violates the act that established the institution. He stated, “The Unity Party can be assured that the CDC will use all legal and political means at its disposal to resist this move to weaponize the country’s judicial system to its selfish advantage.” Weah emphasized that the CDC would not stand idly by as President Boakai allegedly manipulates the judiciary for political gain, calling for a united front against what he described as a constitutional crisis.
Weah further elaborated on his accusations, stating that President Boakai’s actions demonstrate a disregard for legal and constitutional protocols, which he believes have led to reckless governance. “Yes, Mr. Boakai, your actions to politicize justice will be resisted and resisted strongly,” Weah asserted. He argued that such actions could plunge the country into further disorder and confusion, similar to past instances where political decisions have destabilized the nation. The former president urged the public to be vigilant and hold the current administration accountable for its actions.
Reflecting on the CDC’s tenure, Weah highlighted the administration’s achievements in maintaining peace and security, even during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated, “The CDC-led administration remains proud of its record; we preserved the peace, security, and welfare of the country even during the raging COVID-19 pandemic, and at times when the security of the state was at stake.” Weah’s remarks were aimed at contrasting the CDC’s record with what he perceives as the Unity Party’s failures, suggesting that the current administration lacks the stability and integrity that the CDC upheld.
Weah also emphasized his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and the fight against corruption. He pointed out significant reforms, including granting prosecutorial powers to the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). “You may recall that during my presidency, we advanced the fight against corruption on many fronts, including granting the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission direct prosecutorial powers, which is critical to the fight against corruption,” he noted. Weah stressed that these reforms were intended to ensure accountability and transparency in governance, which he believes are now under threat.
Addressing concerns about the LACC’s current operations, Weah called for equal treatment of all General Auditing Commission (GAC) audit reports. He warned against cherry-picking reports to target officials from his administration, describing such actions as undermining the fight against corruption. “To utilize its new powers to fight corruption effectively, the LACC must treat all audit reports from the General Auditing Commission equally, without cherry-picking, to ensure fairness and transparency,” Weah stated. He urged the Liberian people to recognize these moves as political witch-hunts that could destabilize the nation’s efforts to combat corruption.
Weah reaffirmed his commitment to Liberia, highlighting his efforts to promote peace and stability throughout his career. He reminded the public of his role in advocating for a ceasefire during the civil war, leading disarmament efforts, and serving as a peace ambassador. “Like you, my fellow compatriots, I love our country and have always put our country’s interest above and beyond my personal interest,” Weah said. He expressed disappointment that the Boakai administration interprets the CDC’s commitment to peace as a weakness, accusing it of exploiting government agencies to target political opponents.
In concluding his remarks, Weah warned that the Unity Party’s actions risk fomenting chaos by weaponizing the legal system for political ends. “For the UP administration to exploit our legal system and risk fomenting chaos, it tells you to what extent some politicians are willing to go just to maintain power,” he stated. Weah called for vigilance and resilience from the public, urging them to oppose any attempts to destabilize the country. The coming weeks are likely to see intense political maneuvering as both sides prepare for a potential constitutional showdown, with Liberia’s future hanging in the balance.
