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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Serious questions have emerged over the organization and effectiveness of a protest staged Tuesday December 17, 2025 by the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) after demonstrators failed to deliver a petition to President Joseph N. Boakai.
By Taina James Karbah
The protest, held under the theme “Lead or Leave,” was intended to criticize the performance of the Unity Party–led government.
Beginning at STAND’s headquarters, protesters marched through parts of the capital carrying placards with slogans such as “Boakai is Unable to Govern.” The demonstration was led by Mulbah K. Morlu, former chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change.
Ahead of the march, Morlu assured supporters that they would peacefully assemble at the Executive Mansion and personally present a petition to the president. He said protesters would remain on the Mansion grounds, cooking and sleeping there for weeks, if Boakai declined to receive the document in person.
As the marchers neared the Executive Mansion, however, officers of the Liberia National Police redirected them toward the University of Liberia, citing security and route concerns. The move triggered visible tension between protesters and police and raised questions about whether organizers had secured the required clearances or adequately coordinated the march route with security authorities.
Adding to the frustration of many participants was the failure of protest leaders to read or publicly present the petition. Despite earlier assurances, Morlu did not deliver the document, leaving protesters and observers uncertain about the protest’s outcome and overall impact.
By late afternoon, the crowd dispersed without any engagement from the Executive Mansion and without clarity on possible next steps. Several participants expressed disappointment, questioning whether the protest had been sufficiently planned or whether its leadership underestimated the logistical and security realities surrounding a high-profile demonstration in the capital.
The episode has fueled broader debate in Liberia about the organization, strategy and credibility of opposition-led protests, as well as the balance between the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and the enforcement of state security measures.
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