MONROVIA – Former President George Manneh Weah addressed thousands of CDC partisans in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, via special video link from the United States, where he is witnessing the ongoing FIFA World Cup. In a rallying statement that combined personal reflection with pointed political attacks on the Unity Party government, Weah declared that the CDC was “alive, united, organized, energized, and coming back to power.” He charged the Boakai administration with turning Liberia into a “narco state,” rolling back democratic gains, and persecuting former officials. As THE ANALYST reports, the message, delivered to a packed Tubman Palace venue, marked one of the emotional highlights of the anniversary.
Former President George Manneh Weah, Standard Bearer of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), addressed the party’s 22nd Anniversary celebration in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, via a special video message from the United States, where he is currently attending the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
The address, which halted the official program when it was announced by Master of Ceremonies Abu Sheriff, drew an immediate and emotional response from thousands of partisans assembled at the Tubman Palace grounds.
Weah opened his remarks on a personal note, announcing that his wife, Madam Clar Marie Weah, had sent greetings to the faithful, and that the previous day — June 26 — marked 33 years of their marriage, a date that coincided with the CDC’s 22nd anniversary. “What a beautiful day,” he said.
He thanked the people of Grand Gedeh County for hosting the CDC and for their support over the years, before acknowledging the leaders of other political parties who had joined the anniversary, including Alexander Cummings of the ANC, Musa Hassan Bility of the CMC, Benoni Urey of the All Liberian Party (ALP), Simeon Freeman of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), and Dee-Maxwell Kemayah of MOVEE.
Founded by the Ordinary People
Weah recalled the founding philosophy of the CDC, describing it as a movement born “not in the corridors of power” and “not among the wealthy and privileged” but in the hearts of ordinary people — in forgotten communities, among market women, students, motorcyclists, farmers, workers, and young people who demanded to be heard.
He emphasized that his own story mirrored the struggles of the majority of Liberians. “George Weah is an ordinary Liberian child with extraordinary dreams, sharing the same struggles as millions of our people,” he stated. He said that when he walked into the Executive Mansion, millions of Liberians walked through that door with him.
Recounting the party’s early history, Weah said that 22 years ago, the CDC’s detractors laughed, mocked, and underestimated it.
“We proved them wrong,” he declared. “Together, we have built the most powerful grassroots political movement in Liberia. Together, we have changed our country’s political history. Together, we have achieved what many believed impossible.”
Charging Boakai with Democratic Rollback
Weah directed sustained criticism at the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the ruling Unity Party (UP).
He charged that the UP government was rolling back democratic gains and that signs of Liberia’s “dark past” were reemerging. He alleged that political opponents — specifically former officials — were being persecuted, that free speech was being trampled upon, and that security forces were engaging in brutality against peaceful citizens.
For former president accused Boakai of undermining the rule of law by refusing to abide by rulings of the Supreme Court and of threatening judges into submission to toe the executive branch’s line.
He further alleged that Liberia’s national security had been compromised by the presence of foreign troops on sovereign territory and that the regime had proven unable to find solutions to border encroachments in Lofa County.
In one of his sharpest attacks, Weah charged that Liberia had “turned into a narco state” with officials leading drug trafficking networks being shielded by the Unity Party administration because they were part of the government itself.
Movement Lives in the People
Addressing those who had declared the CDC finished, Weah challenged them to look at the multitudes in Zwedru and across Liberia who still believed in the cause.
“A movement built by the people cannot be destroyed by propaganda,” he said. “A movement built on hope cannot be defeated by temporary setbacks. A movement rooted in the hearts of ordinary Liberians cannot disappear.”
He declared the CDC to be alive, united, organized, and energized, and announced that the party was coming back to power. “Today marks the beginning of the next chapter — a chapter of renewal, a chapter of reorganization, a chapter of victory,” he stated.
Weah called upon every CDC partisan, the opposition community, and Liberians in general to rise and prepare for the political battle ahead.
“The road to 2029 begins today,” he declared. He urged that the message leave Zwedru and travel across every county, every district, every town, and every village.
He concluded by calling on partisans to mobilize, warning that the time was not for division or complacency, but for action.