spot_imgspot_img
Friday, December 13, 2024

PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S PURGE: A DANGEROUS DRIFT TOWARD AUTHORITARIANISM

Date:

In recent months, President Joseph Boakai has embarked on a sweeping campaign of dismissals within the Liberian government, particularly targeting officials appointed by the previous administration of former President George Weah. This aggressive reshuffling has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, sparking concerns of a deliberate purge aimed at weakening the largest opposition party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). The dismissal of civil servants and public officials with ties to the Weah administration appears less about governance and more about consolidating power, setting a dangerous precedent for democracy in Liberia.

Critics have been quick to point out the administration’s blatant disregard for legal precedents. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the replacement of tenure-holding officials without proper cause, the Boakai administration has brazenly ignored this directive, removing key figures from their posts without justification. This trend extends beyond top-level officials to civil servants, who are being forced out in what many describe as a purge of opposition voices.

Political analysts warn that these dismissals undermine the very fabric of Liberia’s democracy. In a functioning democracy, public servants—especially those in tenure-protected roles—should be safeguarded from politically motivated retribution. Yet, Boakai’s administration seems intent on using its power to stamp out opposition, dismantling any remnants of the Weah government and leaving a trail of disenfranchised Liberians in its wake.

Even more alarming is the administration’s willingness to deploy force against its political rivals. Just last week, armed police officers stormed the headquarters of the CDC during a peaceful gathering. This came on the heels of an earlier incident in which soldiers and police were deployed at Roberts International Airport as crowds gathered to welcome Weah. These authoritarian-style crackdowns signal a clear message: dissent will not be tolerated under Boakai’s rule.

The decision to suspend the Central Bank Executive Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue without legal backing, along with the coercion of the deputy governor for operations to resign, is further evidence of the administration’s troubling trajectory. Unconfirmed reports suggest that similar pressure is being applied to the head of the Fishery Department, raising fears that Boakai’s government is intent on removing anyone perceived as disloyal.

Such actions not only erode public trust in government institutions but also cast a long shadow over Liberia’s political future. When a government seeks to eliminate political opposition rather than engage in dialogue or compromise, it sets the stage for instability and repression. The Boakai administration’s growing pattern of dismissals, coupled with its willingness to use force, is a worrying sign of a democracy on the brink.

Liberia has endured too much to allow authoritarianism to take root. The international community, civil society, and ordinary Liberians must hold President Boakai accountable for these dangerous actions. Democracy thrives on diversity of thought and opposition, and by stifling dissent, the Boakai administration risks undoing decades of progress. If Liberia is to maintain its democratic integrity, it must reject the politics of purging and embrace an inclusive, transparent, and lawful approach to governance.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

EMBATTLED SPEAKER KOFFA TURNS TO SUPREME COURT AGAIN, FILES BILL OF INFORMATION

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The ongoing political crisis within Liberia's...

DR. NYAN UPDATES LIBERIANS ON MPOX, LASSA FEVER, AND ADVANCEMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS

MONROVIA – Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director-General of the...

LIBERIA’S CORRUPTION CRISIS DEEPENS AS TRANSPARENCY INT’L’S 2024 REPORT REVEALS PERSISTENT GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

Liberia’s ongoing battle with corruption remains a considerable challenge,...

DID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TWEH’S LEGAL OPINION RESOLVE OR ESCALATE THE HOUSE CONFLICT?

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The power struggle within the House...

DOES LIBERIA NEED CONSTITUTIONAL CLARITY?

The ongoing power struggle within the House of Representatives...

BOAKAI SIDESTEPS SPEAKER KOFFA: LOGICALITY OR PRECEDENT-SETTING BREACH?

President Joseph Boakai's decision to submit the 2025 draft...

A MILESTONE FOR LIBERIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

The launch of Liberia’s first doctoral programs at the...

COMMENTARY

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

LATEST NEWS

ALLEGED VIOLATION OF AMENDED PPCC LAW: DETAILS ON 31 YELLOW MACHINES TO BE REVEALED

MONROVIA – The administration of President Joseph Boakai is...

LIBERIA: AMARA KONNEH BASHES FINANCE MINISTER SAMUEL TWEAH

MONROVIA – In a scathing Facebook post, addressed to...

BREAKING UNDER BOAKAI’S TENURE CRACKDOWN? AG JACKSON PLAYS WITH AUDIT REPORTS

By Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr. MONROVIA, LIBERIA—The General Auditing...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link