Liberia: Morlu Warms Boakai to ‘Lead or Leave’ as STAND Marches to Protest Ground - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) Executive Director Mulbah K. Morlu, has launched a defiant protest march to the Executive Mansion, vowing not to be intimidated by what it described as the “muscles” of Liberia’s security forces.

By Jaheim T. Tumu-jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

Speaking to reporters at the start of the march to Capitol Hill, Morlu framed the demonstration as a citizen-driven action rooted in Liberia’s democratic history and constitutional rights, insisting that the Executive Mansion belongs to the people, not the political elite.

“Today is the day we speak up for you, we act on your behalf. So don’t sit in a parliament in fear. Don’t tremble in cowardice,” Morlu declared.

The STAND leader said protesters were converging on the Executive Mansion to send a clear message to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, whom he referred to as Joseph-Gilbert Walker, saying the President must either lead decisively or step aside.

“We are coming out today at the Executive Mansion, the premises of the people, to tell Joseph-Gilbert Walker enough is enough. He must lead or he leaves,” Morlu said.

Despite the visible deployment of the Liberia National Police across key areas of Monrovia, Morlu insisted that the protest would not be deterred by security presence.

“The presence of police banditry and armed police banditry will not deter this process. The presence of the entire muscles of Liberia’s just security forces will not deter or thwart this process. We are coming outside today,” he asserted.

Morlu emphasized that the protest was peaceful and grounded in Liberia’s long history of civic resistance, drawing parallels with past movements that used the Executive Mansion grounds to press for reform.

“We are the people. We are owners of this country. The Executive Mansion is a property of the people,” he said.

He cited historical precedents, including protests by political parties, students, women’s groups, and civil society organizations.

“If it was good to be used in 1980 by the Progressive People’s Party, if it was good to be used in 1980 by student movements, if it was good to be used in 2003 by women groups that were convening for the restoration of democratic governance, if it was good to be used in 2019 by Council of Patriots, if it was good to be used by Joseph Boakai in 2020 at the Executive Mansion then it means it is good to be used today,” Morlu said.

According to Morlu, the protest seeks to demand the restoration of good governance, respect for the rule of law, and accountability for alleged abuses by public officials.

“Citizens of the country are simply converging peacefully to demand that good governance is restored, democracy is restored, rule of law is respected, injustices are dealt with and restored, and that raping young girls by government officials will be stopped and quickened,” he stated.

Morlu issued a warning to the police against the use of force, particularly tear gas, saying responsibility for maintaining peace rests with the President.

“Today is a day of the people, and we warn the police not to fire one tear gas because the responsibility to keep the peace rests squarely on the shoulders of Joseph Walker,” he warned.

He added: “The responsibility to maintain law and order rests squarely on Joseph Boakai shoulders.” While pledging peaceful conduct by STAND supporters, Morlu accused ruling Unity Party affiliates of allegedly plotting to disrupt the protest.

“We are hearing that United Party surrogates and their supporters have an agenda to storm peaceful protestors at different areas, at different intersections,” he claimed.

He cautioned that any such action would undermine national stability. “This is going to be detrimental to peace and stability. We don’t have a head in that. We don’t want to be part of that,” Morlu said.

He also appealed to the international community to intervene diplomatically to prevent violence. “We urge all the international community to warn Joseph Walker to withdraw violent forces that have been planted to cause chaos among peaceful protestors,” he said.

Reaffirming STAND’s resolve, Morlu said protesters would remain peaceful but determined. “We will be peaceful but relentless. We will not retreat. We will not surrender to fear. We are the prosperous students of good governance,” he declared.

He used Liberia’s Constitution as the legal basis for civic action.“The Constitution of Liberia says when our safety and security is required, we should come outside if we want to support the political agenda. And we are doing that today with more fear.”