A growing political debate is emerging in Liberia over whether the ruling Unity Party administration has truly introduced a new governance direction or is quietly continuing many of the same policies it once condemned while in opposition.
The latest criticism comes from political activist and prominent CDC supporter Darius Doe, who argues that the so-called “Rescue Government” has struggled to distinguish itself from the former administration of George Weah despite years of harsh criticism against the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
In a strongly framed political statement, Doe accused the Unity Party-led government of “rebranding” CDC-era initiatives rather than implementing the sweeping reforms many Liberians expected following the 2023 elections.
According to Doe, several flagship social and economic policies introduced under the Weah administration remain fully operational today, exposing what he described as a contradiction between the Unity Party’s opposition rhetoric and its current governing reality.
One of the key examples highlighted is Liberia’s free tuition policy for public universities — a program heavily debated during the CDC years. Doe noted that despite previous criticisms from opposition politicians who questioned the sustainability and effectiveness of the initiative, the current administration has chosen to maintain it.
He also referenced the continued government payment of WASSCE fees for 12th-grade students, another social intervention introduced under the CDC government that remains active under the current leadership.
For political observers, the accusations touch on a broader issue often seen in African politics: opposition parties frequently campaign on promises of radical change, only to discover once in power that many existing policies are politically difficult or economically risky to dismantle.
Doe further pointed to the controversial salary harmonization policy, which became a major national issue during the Weah administration. While Unity Party figures previously criticized the policy for contributing to economic hardship and salary disparities, Doe claims the current government has neither abolished nor fundamentally restructured it.
The activist also questioned the administration’s handling of institutions such as MedTech Scientific and the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system at the Freeport of Monrovia. Both entities faced intense criticism from Unity Party officials before the elections over allegations of excessive fees and questionable management practices. Yet, according to Doe, the systems continue to operate under the current administration with little visible reform.
Infrastructure development has also become part of the political argument. Doe accused the government of inconsistency over the Roberts International Airport road project, noting that East International Construction Company — previously criticized during the CDC era — remains involved while the long-delayed project continues unfinished.
Perhaps the most politically sensitive issue raised by Doe concerns corruption and accountability.
The Unity Party came to power partly on promises to investigate alleged corruption and economic mismanagement under the CDC government. However, Doe argued that nearly three years into the administration, Liberians have yet to witness major prosecutions or conclusive legal outcomes tied to the accusations repeatedly made against former CDC officials.
His comments reflect an increasingly aggressive political counter-narrative from CDC supporters, who now argue that the current government inherited and retained many of the same governance structures it once portrayed as failures.
At the same time, supporters of the ruling Unity Party insist the administration inherited severe fiscal pressures, institutional weaknesses, and economic instability that require gradual adjustments rather than abrupt policy reversals. They argue that maintaining some existing programs does not necessarily represent political hypocrisy, but rather practical governance.
Still, Doe’s remarks appear aimed at reinforcing a growing public perception that the distinction between campaign promises and governing realities may be narrower than many voters anticipated.
As political tensions continue to sharpen ahead of future electoral contests, the debate is increasingly shifting from campaign rhetoric to a more difficult national question: whether Liberia’s political parties are truly offering different policy visions — or simply different political branding for similar systems of governance.
