Monrovia, September 2, 2025 — The University of Liberia Student Interim Leadership (ULSIL) has called for calm and urged constructive dialogue following violent clashes between students and police on the Capitol Hill campus on Monday, September 1. The group, led by President J. Blio B. Tingban, condemned both the violence and what it described as excessive use of force by security officers.
In a statement issued Tuesday, ULSIL described the scenes on campus as “deeply troubling” and reminiscent of some of Liberia’s darkest days. The student leadership stressed its responsibility to defend student interests while preserving the dignity and reputation of the University.
The violence erupted amid mounting tensions between the Students Unification Party (SUP), which has been spearheading protests over governance issues, and the administration of University President Dr. Layli Maparyan. The unrest coincided with a go-slow action by the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), further straining relations within the institution.
President Tingban acknowledged the constitutional and fundamental right of students to protest and advocate for change. However, he cautioned that such actions must remain peaceful and not spiral into chaos.
“We as students and students’ groups at the University of Liberia, despite its many challenges, must not allow these struggles to breed further crises,” Tingban said.
ULSIL expressed strong condemnation of the events that unfolded, particularly the police response. President Tingban argued that the “heavy-handed police invasion” only worsened tensions and violated students’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest.
“While we stress that ULSIL does not endorse violence, actions that provoke it are equally unacceptable. The police escalation was excessive, inhumane, and contrary to the principles of justice and order,” the statement read.
Call for Dialogue Over Confrontation
President Tingban urged both students and administrators to embrace dialogue as the only credible path to resolving disputes. He called on SUP to present its concerns through structured, civil engagement with the administration, while urging Dr. Maparyan’s leadership and the Government of Liberia to prioritize communication over coercion. “The University must be treated as a sanctuary of knowledge rather than a space of confrontation and neglect,” Tingban emphasized.
Reaffirming ULSIL’s commitment to student welfare, Tingban assured the student body that his leadership would not abandon its duty to protect their interests. He announced that ULSIL had already initiated measures aimed at restoring calm on campus and would continue serving as a bridge between students, faculty, and administrators.
“Together, let’s embrace peaceful resolution and purposeful dialogue,” Tingban urged. The statement, signed by Michael N. Blojaye, ULSIL’s Presidential Press Secretary, concluded with a call for unity, nonviolence, and mutual respect as the University community works through its ongoing challenges.
