By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – The ruling Unity Party (UP) has questioned the timing of a recent anti-drug protest organized by former Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) National Chairman Mulbah Morlu, suggesting that the demonstration may have shifted public attention away from an ongoing investigation into Liberia’s seizure of approximately US$19 million worth of narcotics.
In a statement issued Friday, July 17, 2026, the Unity Party reaffirmed that every Liberian has a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, emphasizing that it does not seek to suppress legitimate civic engagement or criticism of government.
However, the party argued that the timing of Morlu’s demonstration raises questions, particularly as the Joint Security continues investigating one of Liberia’s largest narcotics cases in recent history.
The Unity Party said Liberians are justified in asking why an anti-drug protest emerged at a moment when investigators are reportedly making progress in identifying individuals connected to a major drug trafficking network.
According to the party, the coincidence between the protest and the ongoing drug investigation has created public debate over whether the demonstration was solely focused on combating narcotics or whether it could also serve to divert attention from the criminal investigation.
The Unity Party stressed that peaceful protest remains a protected democratic right but argued that citizens should consider the timing, objectives, and broader implications of political demonstrations, especially when they occur alongside sensitive national security matters.
The party also criticized what it described as the silence of several opposition figures during the previous CDC-led administration, claiming that narcotics abuse became widespread during that period, with illegal drugs allegedly distributed openly in some communities.
The Unity Party specifically argued that some political actors now leading anti-drug campaigns, including Morlu, were not as vocal when the country was experiencing what it described as a growing drug crisis under the former government.
The party maintained that the Boakai-Koung administration has treated narcotics trafficking as a national security priority, pointing to increased law enforcement operations, arrests, prosecutions, and drug seizures over the past two years.
While defending its record, the Unity Party acknowledged that the fight against narcotics remains ongoing and requires sustained national efforts, stronger institutions, and cooperation between citizens and security agencies.
The ruling party reiterated its support for an independent and transparent investigation into the recent cocaine seizure, insisting that anyone found responsible must face justice regardless of political affiliation, social status, or official position.
The Unity Party further called on the CDC to avoid actions that could interfere with the ongoing investigation and accused the opposition party of using political surrogates to distract attention from the drug probe.
“The Unity Party strongly believed that due to the lack of a clearly defined objective for the so-called protest and mismessaging, the organizers did not demonstrate honesty,” the party stated, arguing that the demonstration failed to gain widespread public support.
The party claimed that Liberians continue to recognize what it described as development progress under the Boakai-Koung administration and view those achievements as a result of their democratic decision.
The Unity Party also commended the Joint Security for maintaining professionalism, restraint, and respect for constitutional freedoms while managing the protest and continuing its narcotics investigation.
It urged Liberians to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies by reporting drug trafficking and related criminal activities in their communities.
The party concluded by reaffirming its commitment to combating the illegal drug trade and called for a united national effort to protect Liberia’s future.
The Unity Party’s statement intensifies the political debate surrounding Liberia’s high-profile US$19 million cocaine investigation, with the ruling party attempting to frame Mulbah Morlu’s protest within ongoing national security concerns.
While the party raises questions about the timing of the demonstration, it does not provide evidence that the protest was organized to interfere with or obstruct the investigation. Instead, its argument centers on political interpretation and comparisons between the current administration’s anti-drug efforts and the record of the previous CDC government.
As the investigation continues, public attention will likely remain focused on whether the process can ensure a transparent, independent, and credible outcome capable of identifying and prosecuting those responsible without political interference.
