By Emery Z Watson
Monrovia, Liberia – July 17, 2025: Under the rallying cry “Enough is Enough – We Want a New Liberia,” thousands of Liberians from across the country staged a massive peaceful protest in Monrovia today to express deep dissatisfaction with the current state of governance.
The demonstration culminated in the submission of a powerful petition addressed to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, calling for sweeping reforms, prosecution of corrupt officials, and urgent measures to address rising poverty and oppression.
The protest drew a broad coalition of voices, including students, market women, motorcyclists, tricycle riders, civil servants, health workers, teachers, soldiers’ wives, farmers, and everyday citizens. United in frustration, participants denounced what they called “decades of betrayal, injustice, and national suffering.”
“We come in peace, but we come with power,” the petition reads. “We come not to beg, but to demand. We demand justice. We demand dignity. We demand a New Liberia.”
The petition accuses several high-ranking officials in the Boakai administration of gross misconduct, financial corruption, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty. Among those named:
Mamaka Bility, for alleged undue influence in the controversial $2 billion Putu Iron Ore deal and the “Yellow Machine” scandal.
Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State, for overseeing unauthorized spending of over $3.5 million and enabling payroll fraud exceeding $7.9 million, as detailed in GAC audits.
Mo Ali, Managing Director of LWSC, for allegedly defying legislative orders and misusing public funds. Roland Giddings, Public Works Minister, for awarding over $22 million in questionable road contracts.
Patrick Honnah, LTA Commissioner, for lavish spending and mismanagement of public funds. Amos Tweh, LPRC Managing Director, for allegedly using public funds for political activities. Sekou Dukuly, NPA boss, for involvement in a secret $5 million transaction with a Chinese national and persistent mismanagement.
Inspector General Gregory Coleman, accused of turning the Liberia National Police into a tool of political repression.
General Davidson Forleh, Chief of Staff, for failure to address poor conditions for soldiers. Morie Gongolee, Deputy Director at LACRA, was arrested for alleged cocoa export fraud. Vice President Jeremiah Koung, for purported interference in the Supreme Court ruling on House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s removal.
The petition highlights widespread national concerns including Bad Governance and Corruption: Allegations of unchecked looting, fiscal mismanagement, and a lack of transparency at the highest levels of government, Economic Hardship: Persistent underpayment of civil servants, hospital neglect, failing schools, and rising unemployment among youth, Police Brutality and Human Rights Violations: Ongoing harassment of civilians, the unresolved Kinjor massacre, and the rising tide of gender-based violence, with 2,759 rape cases reported in 2024, and Judicial Manipulation: Courts used to suppress dissent and delay justice, with no investigations into alleged bribery involving justices.
Others include the Land and Housing Injustice: Poor communities face demolitions and land grabs, while elites remain untouched, and Broken Political Promises: Protesters say the Boakai administration has recycled corrupt figures and failed to deliver on campaign reforms.
The petitioners outlined 11 key demands, including the Immediate dismissal and prosecution of officials implicated in corruption, Independent audits and criminal investigations into major public agencies, Resignation and prosecution of IG Gregory Coleman and security chiefs linked to brutality, and Full public disclosure of all contracts signed since January 2024.
The protesters demand continue on with a quest for government Enforcement of protections for tenure, land rights, and civil liberties, Emergency economic reforms for job creation, healthcare, and education, Lifting of unconstitutional restrictions on motorbike and tricycle riders, An end to political witch-hunts against civil servants, Immediate increase in the national minimum wage, Prioritization of healthcare in the national budget among others
Today’s demonstration was marked by peace, unity, and civic resolve. Protesters emphasized their commitment to democracy and nonviolence but warned that continued government inaction would deepen Liberia’s crisis.
“This petition is a national wake-up call,” said one protester. “We are no longer spectators to our own suffering. We are Liberians demanding a future.”
The petition has been formally delivered to President Boakai, with copies also submitted to the Legislature, the Judiciary, international partners, diplomatic missions, civil society, and human rights groups.
As the nation awaits a response, the protest has set the tone for an increasingly vocal citizen movement determined to reshape Liberia’s political and social landscape.
