MONROVIA – Liberia is bracing for another pivotal moment as prominent civil society groups, led by Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) and the We The People Movement, have served notice of a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, 2025. Dubbed the “Lead or Leave – Enough Is Enough” protest, the action seeks to hold the government accountable for good governance, transparency, and socio-economic reforms. This development eerily echoes the July 17 protest, where thousands of Liberians took to the streets to demand similar changes, only to be met with dismissal and inaction from the government. With the patience of the people wearing thin, the stage is set for what could be a defining moment in Liberia’s democratic history. The Analyst reports.
The leadership of Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), WE THE PEOPLE Movement, and collaborating institutions yesterday, October 7, 2025, formally notified the Government of Liberia of the December 17, 2025 ‘Lead or Leave – Enough Is Enough’ Nonviolent Protest.
According to a statement released by the organizers, this nationwide peaceful action will occur simultaneously across all counties, with the principal assembly taking place on the public grounds between the Capitol Building and the Executive Mansion.
In a communication to the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, the organizers said: “Regrettably, the President of the Republic, rather than embracing this patriotic call for reform and good governance, chose instead to mock, demean, and dismiss the legitimate voices of thousands of peaceful citizens whose only demand was that their government uphold justice, accountability, and the rule of law. The people’s demands were neither radical nor unreasonable; they were clearly outlined in a 13-count petition, summarized as follows: Respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights; an end to corruption, impunity, and the abuse of power; guarantees of freedom of movement and protection against torture, arbitrary arrests and restrictions; a decisive national response to the proliferation of drugs, substance abuse, and the scourge of gender-based violence; and an end to torture and violations of human dignity, through the adoption of meaningful socio-economic reforms aimed at lifting millions of Liberians out of poverty and hunger, etc.”
“Since that day, the government’s silence and inaction have only deepened the people’s despair and widened the gulf between the governed and those who govern. As the cost of living soars and national hardship intensifies, the patience of the people has been stretched to its breaking point. The decision to protest stems from what they civil society groups called the government’s inaction and silence on critical issues affecting the nation, including corruption, impunity, human rights abuses, and socio-economic reforms.”
The groups said despite the peaceful nature of the July 17, 2025 protest, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai chose “to mock and dismiss the legitimate voices of thousands of citizens”.
“The recent U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Liberia has further highlighted the need for urgent action,” asserts the consortium of civil society groups. “The people’s demands include respect for the rule of law and protection of human rights, an end to corruption and impunity, guarantees of freedom of movement and protection against torture and arbitrary arrests, a national response to the proliferation of drugs and gender-based violence, and meaningful socio-economic reforms to lift millions out of poverty and hunger.”
The duration and intensity of the December 17 action will depend entirely on the government’s response, they said, adding that should the President of Liberia heed the people’s voice and address their legitimate demands, the protest would end in triumph for democracy.
“However, should the government choose contempt and silence, the protest will continue – peacefully but resolutely – until every lawful demand is met,” they further stated.
“STAND, We The People Movement, and collaborating institutions call upon the Liberia National Police and joint security apparatus to act with professionalism and constitutional restraint,” the mix of non-state actors also asserted, adding that “We reassure our international partners that our cause remains grounded in peace, law, and the pursuit of justice.”
“We urge all citizens to join us on December 17, 2025, as we march for justice, reform, and the rebirth of our nation,” they noted, declaring that, “Together, we will demonstrate our commitment to nonviolence, dignity, and unyielding resolve in defense of Liberia.”
The civil society advocate noted that equally alarming is the entrenched impunity and selective justice now defining Liberia’s legal system. Rape and drug cases are cherry-picked based on political connections—evident in Minister Bryant McGill’s evasion of prosecution, protected by an Inspector General of Police who defends him instead of upholding the law, and George Kailondo, whose business faces serious drug trafficking allegations yet remains untouched, likely due to his connections within the government.
“These shameful realities mock Liberia’s ‘End Rape’ and ‘No to Drugs’ campaigns, undermine the rule of law, and entrench a culture where the powerful remain above accountability. Lead or Leave—Enough is Enough,” said the groups. “In consequence, and in full compliance with constitutional and international law, we hereby notify your office of the December 17, 2025 “Lead or Leave – Enough Is Enough” Nonviolent Protest, being organized by STAND, We the People Movement, and their collaborating partners.
“This nationwide peaceful action will occur simultaneously across all counties, with the principal assembly taking place on the public grounds between the Capitol Building and the Executive Mansion, where a new petition will be formally delivered to the President of the Republic. This location is constitutionally protected, historically utilized for civic engagement, and therefore non-negotiable. The grounds of the people’s house are, by right and tradition, open to the people themselves and must never be closed.”
The reaffirm that the right of citizens to freely assemble, express themselves, and petition their leaders is inalienable, guaranteed not only under the Constitution of Liberia but also under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and other international covenants to which Liberia is bound. Any attempt to obstruct or suppress this right would represent a direct assault on democracy itself.
“While we anticipate that tens of thousands of Liberians will participate in this exercise of conscience and citizenship, we remain unwaveringly committed to nonviolence, as we demonstrated on July 17. Nevertheless, we must be clear: the duration and intensity of the December 17 action will depend entirely on the government’s response. Should the President heed the people’s voice and address their legitimate demands, the protest will end in triumph for democracy. But should he once again choose contempt and silence, the protest will continue—peacefully but resolutely—until every lawful demand is met.”
They thanked the Justice Minister for his attention and urge his office to treat the letter as formal notification of a constitutionally guaranteed, peaceful protest by citizens determined to reclaim their voice. Let it be clearly understood, Sir, that the Liberian people will not retreat, will not be intimidated, and will not be silenced—regardless of the scale of threats or dangers.
The groups concluded: “Our commitment to nonviolence is unwavering, but equally steadfast is our resolve to confront injustice, corruption, and the betrayal of public trust. We will remain peaceful—yet fearless and uncompromising—in our march for justice, reform, and the rebirth of our nation. Should the Boakai administration choose to resurrect the brutal tactics once deployed against the Kinjor protesters, then know this: we will die standing, never on our knees.”