Samuel Tweah Blasts Unity Party: Accuses Government of Endangering Liberia’s Peace

By Julius T. Jaesen, II

Monrovia, Liberia – August 22, 2024: Samuel D. Tweah Jr., former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has issued a scathing critique of the Unity Party (UP), accusing the current administration of plunging Liberia into political chaos and undermining the nation’s governance. In a strongly worded statement, Tweah condemned what he described as a “political manhunt” by the UP, claiming the government has overstepped its bounds by engaging in illegal actions against political opponents, including a recent incident at the headquarters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).

Tweah’s statement comes in response to what he sees as escalating aggression from the UP, which he argues is pushing Liberia towards instability. He accused the Unity Party of nearly breaking every law since coming to power, suggesting that their actions are a grave threat to the country’s fragile peace.

The former minister also criticised the international community for remaining silent in the face of what he views as significant violations of Liberia’s post-conflict social fabric, which was painstakingly rebuilt with international support. He called on President Joseph Boakai and other UP leaders to be held accountable before the situation deteriorates further.

Expressing his resolve, Tweah declared that the CDC would not be intimidated by what he described as “diabolical tactics” aimed at weakening the party. He vowed to return to Liberia in the coming days to legally challenge the accusations against him, which he dismissed as a “bogus witch-hunt” intended for political gain. Tweah promised to join his CDC colleagues in mounting strong opposition to what he views as the collapse of governance under the UP’s leadership.

In a direct appeal to George Manneh Weah, the CDC’s standard bearer, Tweah urged the former president to assert firm leadership in this “existential moment of aggression.” He emphasised that the CDC would continue to fight for Liberia’s peace and governance, but on terms of fairness and justice, resisting any laws or actions that he believes unjustly target the party and its supporters.

Tweah’s statement concludes with a call for Liberians to resist the “reckless physical and moral aggression” he attributes to the current administration, drawing inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of disobedience to unjust laws.

This latest development adds to the growing political tension in Liberia as the nation grapples with accusations of governance failures and the potential for civil unrest. The political landscape remains deeply divided, with both sides preparing for what could be a contentious period ahead.