Main Opposition Parties Bark at ‘Political Weaponization’ -Says UP’s Replaying Dark Past Deeply Concerning

MONROVIA – The Alternative National Congress (ANC), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) have jointly released a statement calling upon the Government of Liberia to uphold the principles of justice and democracy by ensuring due process for the accused lawmakers.

The party’s statement comes amid the targeting of opposition lawmakers in the burning of the Capitol Building by the governing Unity Party – lawmakers that that stood up against the government when it sought to railway the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives. 

The opposition parties said in the statement that the recent actions taken against the individuals, who they said pose no flight risk, was deeply concerning and reminiscent of a darker chapter in our nation’s history, where the judiciary was manipulated for political gains.

The peace and stability of Liberia rest heavily on the government’s ability to act with integrity and fairness, the four parties said, adding that engaging in politically motivated maneuvers that threaten to destabilize our nation is not only imprudent but also perilous.

“While we remain unreserved in our commitment to uncovering the truth behind the Capitol Building Arson Fire incident, it is imperative that the investigation is conducted impartially and does not unjustly target opposition lawmakers,” they said.

According to the parties, the timing of the government’s actions, particularly the decision to summon the lawmakers and keep them at the Liberia National Police (LNP) from as early as 10:00a.m. to the evening of Friday, June 6, 2025, with the apparent intent to incarcerate them, was undemocratic and counter-productive to the rule of law.

“Such actions echo the oppressive tactics of past regimes and are unacceptable in any democratic society, including Liberia,” they emphasized, and added: “We, therefore, demand the immediate and unconditional release of the accused lawmakers; including Honorables J. Fonati  Koffa, Dixon W. Seboe, Abu Kamara and Jacob Debee, II.”

The ANC, CDC, MOVEE and CMC intimated that they remained steadfast in their cooperative, coordinated and collaborative stance for sustaining peace and development in Liberia, “but this should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. Our position on this matter is firm and non-negotiable. Failure to address this issue appropriately could lead to significant public discontent, expressed through legal and peaceful means.”

The ANC, CDC, MOVEE and CMC urged the government to reflect on its responsibilities and act in the best interest of all Liberians, noting that “We stand united in our unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law”.