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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: In the wake of Liberia’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council, a civil society leader has issued a sharp rebuke of the Boakai administration, accusing it of political repression following the reported arrest of a local resident allegedly linked to the most anticipated July 17 protest.
Mulbah K. Morlu Jr., leader of the pro-government Civil Society Movement, Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), and a key figure in the “WE THE PEOPLE” Protest, raised concerns over what he described as the “arbitrary and politically motivated” detention of Mr. G. Bacchus Karpeh, a respected community member from New Kru Town.
According to Morlu, Karpeh was allegedly apprehended by agents believed to be from the National Security Agency (NSA) without formal charges. The arrest reportedly occurred at Karpeh’s workplace, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 and has since been under custody.
“The information we’ve received is both disturbing and credible,” Morlu said in a statement jointly released with Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), one of the organizers of the July 17th “Enough is Enough” protest. “Mr. Karpeh’s only known offense is his perceived support for a peaceful community engagement scheduled in the Borough of New Kru Town.”
The protest coalition alleges that Karpeh’s detention is part of a broader crackdown on citizens believed to be sympathetic to the protest movement. The July 17th demonstration is being organized to demand reforms, justice, and greater government accountability.
“What’s alarming is that his arrest appears to have been triggered by a political tip-off from partisans of the Boakai administration,” Morlu claimed. “This signals a dangerous misuse of state power, and reflects an escalating climate of fear and intimidation toward civic actors.”
STAND and its allied groups firmly deny any association between Karpeh and the planned protest. They assert that he has played no role in its organization and accuse the government of using fabricated claims to justify what they call “unlawful persecution.”
“It is deeply troubling that while Liberia celebrates its election to the UN Security Council, a symbol of peace and diplomacy, its government is simultaneously engaged in the suppression of peaceful dissent at home,” Morlu said.
STAND leader is demanding Karpeh’s immediate and unconditional release, calling his detention a violation of both Liberian law and international human rights standards.
“The Government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai must be held fully accountable for Mr. Karpeh’s safety, his well-being, and the violation of his fundamental rights,” the statement continued. “Detaining a citizen without charge or due process is indefensible and must not be normalized.”
The group also issued a rallying call to civil society organizations, religious institutions, and citizens across the country to stand against what it described as “state-sponsored intimidation.”
“This is not just about Mr. Karpeh,” Morlu emphasized. “It’s about the shrinking civic space for every Liberian who dares to speak against bad governance. No amount of intimidation will stop the people from rising on July 17 to demand justice, democracy, and accountability.”
Amidst this allegations, the government is yet to commit on the matter.
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