Liberia’s Ruling Party Under Fire -STAND Barks at UP’s Headquarters Fundraising Plan

MONROVIA – Liberia’s political landscape is heating up, and the latest controversy is a perfect storm. Ruling Unity Party has announced fundraisers in a bid to mimic its chief rival, the Coalition for Democratic Change which just last Saturday broke grounds for the construction of its new headquarters.  Now the civil society group, the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) is condemning the Unity Party’s decision to use senior government officials for partisan fundraising to build party headquarters across the country. This move comes against the backdrop of a recent controversy surrounding the demolition of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters in a disputed legal suit blamed on the ruling Unity Party. The CDC had made headlines just days ago with a watershed groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, October 18, where party leader George Weah famous lines resonated through the event: “They destroy, we build; we lead, they follow.” This defiant tone has escalated tensions between the two parties, with STAND now weighing in against the Unity Party’s latest move. The Analyst reports.

Liberia’s leading grassroots civil society movement and organizer of the upcoming December 17th “Lead or Leave” peaceful protest, the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), expresses outrage over official revelations that the Unity Party leadership plans to construct new party headquarters across the country through fundraising programs being led, managed, and supervised by sitting government officials and senior cabinet members.

STAND says this reckless fusion of state power and party politics is a blatant abuse of public trust, a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct, and a troubling signal that President Boakai’s administration is erasing the line between public service and partisan enrichment.

The group has condemned what it called unethical scheme in the strongest possible terms and called on all Liberians to remain vigilant against the creeping misuse of public office for party gain.

STAND’s unequivocal condemnation of the Unity Party’s decision to appoint senior government officials to its partisan fundraising committee is firmly rooted in the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, particularly Part V: “Political Participation.” Section 5.1 of the Code expressly prohibits all officials appointed by the President from engaging in political activities or using government facilities, equipment, or resources to support partisan causes.

It says the Unity Party’s action directly violates this provision by drawing serving officials into overtly political operations designed to advance the party’s interests.

It further quotes Section 5.9 which provides that any public official found in violation of these provisions, after due process, shall be immediately removed from office — a safeguard meant to uphold the integrity and impartiality of public service.

Likewise, Section 5.10 mandates that government employees must ensure their participation in political activities does not conflict with their official duties.

The involvement of sitting officials in a partisan fundraising exercise is therefore a deliberate conflict of interest that undermines both the spirit and letter of the Code.

It argued that by appointing senior government officials to its partisan fundraising committee, the Unity Party and those involved have blatantly violated the Code of Conduct, committing a grave conflict of interest that undermines the very foundation of ethical governance.

“This reckless politicization of public office reflects utter disregard for accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, and stands as a shameful betrayal of public trust,” STAND further asserts. “It is unacceptable for individuals paid with the hard-earned taxes of struggling Liberians to use their public positions to advance the ruling party’s agenda — a brazen abuse of power that must attract the full weight of lawful consequences as prescribed under the Code of Conduct.”

The civil society group asserts that the Boakai administration would be mistaken to believe that Liberians have forgotten how, under this same government, over US $300,000 in public resources was reportedly siphoned through Unity Party channels to finance partisan celebrations surrounding President Boakai’s inauguration.

It states: “As if that were not enough, the decision to appoint senior public officials to raise potentially millions of dollars to construct party headquarters across the country raises one chilling question: Are the people’s taxes once again being diverted to build the ruling Unity Party’s empire?”

“In light of this reckless and insensitive decision,” STAND says it is demanding that the Boakai-led government immediately withdraw the appointment of cabinet officials in these partisan fundraising activities.

“Should the administration fail to act, Liberians will have no alternative but to view this as a deliberate misuse of their hard-earned taxes — a brazen act of corruption, a betrayal of public trust, and a criminal exploitation of state resources for political gain.”

STAND reminded the President that state power is not party property, and public funds are not campaign fuel.

The people of Liberia are watching, and they will not stand idle while their resources are abused under the guise of “party development.”

The line between party business and public service must remain sacred, consistent with the Code of Conduct governing public officials. To cross this line is to invite the judgment of history — and the wrath of the Liberian people.

STAND argues that using government officials for partisan fundraising blatantly violates the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. They demand the Boakai-led government withdraw cabinet officials from these activities, warning that failure to act may be seen as deliberate misuse of public funds.

The Unity Party’s decision has sparked concerns about the blurred lines between public service and partisan politics in the country. This controversy echoes concerns about government accountability and transparency, with STAND at the forefront of demanding action.

As the drama unfolds, Liberians are watching closely to see how the government responds to these allegations.

The upcoming December 17th “Lead or Leave” peaceful protest, organized by STAND, is likely to draw significant attention to these issues.

Will the Unity Party heed STAND’s demands, or will this controversy further escalate tensions in Liberia’s political landscape? Only time will tell.