MONROVIA – Eighty-one members of Liberia’s Traditional Council have accused the government, led by President Joseph Boakai, of neglect and financial mismanagement, citing the nonpayment of their salaries for seven months. The leaders, who operate under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), claim that their financial hardship is driving them toward drastic measures, including traditional protests involving the ‘Country Devil.’
The controversy centers on Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin, who the leaders allege ordered the suspension of their salaries. According to the aggrieved elders, they had been receiving regular payments under former Chief Zanzan Karwor but have not been paid since his removal in August 2024.
Speaking to Verity News, one elder explained, “We confirmed with the Civil Service Agency that we are still employees, but Minister Nyumalin instructed the Ministry of Finance to withhold our salaries, leaving us in dire straits.”
The removal of Chief Karwor was announced by Minister Nyumalin as part of efforts to reform local governance. However, this leadership change has left the traditional leaders without a clear structure to address their grievances or receive their due payments.
Despite Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s appeal for the issue to be resolved, no progress has been made. Frustrated by inaction, the leaders have written to key lawmakers, including House Speaker Fonati Koffa and Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, but their appeals have gone unanswered.
Now, the chiefs and elders are threatening to invoke the ‘Country Devil’—a potent cultural symbol—if their concerns remain unaddressed. “We don’t want to protest in the streets, but we are desperate. Our children can’t attend school, landlords are demanding rent, and we are suffering,” stated Samuel Borbor, a special assistant to the council.
Borbor further criticized the minister, accusing him of abusing his authority. “The Minister is withholding our salaries without justification, relying on his ties to the President to avoid accountability. Offering us only three months’ pay after seven months of work is unacceptable. The traditional community is ready to act if this issue persists.”
The leaders have appealed directly to President Boakai, urging him to intervene and address their plight. “We are peaceful people, not troublemakers, but this situation is unjust. We call on President Boakai to resolve this matter before it escalates into something worse,” Borbor concluded.
The unresolved grievances risk not only sparking protests but also deepening social tensions in Liberia. The situation reflects broader challenges within local governance and raises concerns about the administration’s ability to prioritize the welfare of traditional authorities.
