By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
MONROVIA – In a rare show of unity, four major opposition parties in Liberia — the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) — have jointly condemned the recent detention of several lawmakers, calling it a “dangerous and undemocratic abuse of power.”
In a strongly worded joint statement released late Friday, the political leaders — including former President George Manneh Weah and ANC leader Alexander Benedict Cummings — accused the government of using the judiciary as a tool for political retribution.
The statement comes on the heels of the dramatic summoning and prolonged detention of lawmakers implicated in the ongoing investigation into the recent Capitol Building fire.
“The peace and stability of Liberia rest heavily on the government’s ability to act with integrity and fairness,” the statement reads. “The targeting of opposition lawmakers who pose no flight risk is deeply concerning and reminiscent of a darker chapter in our history.”
According to the release, four lawmakers — J. Fonati Koffa, Dixon W. Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee II — were detained at the Liberia National Police headquarters from 10:00 a.m. until late Friday evening, sparking fears of politically motivated arrests.
The opposition claims the move appears to be a deliberate effort to silence dissent and undermine democratic institutions under the guise of an investigation.
Calling the detentions “oppressive tactics of past regimes,” the opposition leaders are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained officials and warning that continued abuse of legal processes could lead to public unrest — though they emphasized their commitment to peaceful and lawful resistance.
“We stand united in our unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law,” the leaders declared.
The statement represents a significant shift in Liberia’s political dynamics, with rival opposition factions closing ranks in response to what they see as an existential threat to democratic governance.
The Government of Liberia has yet to officially respond to the allegations.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on Capitol Hill and the Ministry of Justice, as Liberians brace for what could be a pivotal moment in the country’s postwar democratic evolution.
