25/07/2026
Press Address of Foday N. Massaquoi, National Chairman of the CDC–Council of Patriots (CDC-COP) Ahead of Independence Day
July 25, 2026
CDC-COP Declares Full Support for SUP's July 27 March for Jobs & Justice Protest; Calls for the Immediate Resignation of VP Koung, Police IG Coleman, NPA MD Sekou Dukuly, and Others; Gives the Unity Party Regime 48 Hours to Immediately Release the 12 Jurors in the Tweah Case; Encourages Liberians to Boycott July 26 and Calls on President Boakai to Cancel the Independence Day Celebration in Grand Bassa and Address Liberia's Co***ne Crisis
Fellow Liberians and distinguished patriots of the motherland, both at home and across the diaspora, I bring you determined greetings from a nation confronting a co***ne crisis—the Republic of Liberia.
Today, the very fact that we are alive is a manifestation of God's grace and miracle. On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, we survived what we believe was an attempted state-sponsored assassination or abduction when more than ten alleged NSA officers in plain clothes reportedly attempted to secretly abduct me following a radio talk show.
This government has taken away my job and livelihood by unlawfully dismissing me, beating me, unlawfully imprisoning me, and now taking me to court. Yet they can never break my spirit. Throughout history, many have sacrificed their lives, youth, and careers in defense of the people's liberation. If our tears are the catalyst required to end this national nightmare, then we will proudly accept our role in the struggle for justice and freedom.
Despite all of the regime's actions against us, we have never cried for ourselves. We cry for the citizens whose homes were demolished without compensation; for those who lost their lives in the Kinjor massacre; for the women, girls, and even young boys who have been r***d and sodomized without justice; for the market women who are prohibited from selling on the streets while security officers seize and loot their goods; for the millions of unemployed young people who have graduated but cannot find jobs; and for the ordinary Liberians whose suffering often goes unseen.
We carry their pain and agony. For them, we will continue this struggle. Even in death, we shall remain steadfast in demanding a lower-tax economy, respect for the rule of law, constitutional accountability, and equal justice for all.
Today, the National Executive Council of the CDC-COP has mandated me to inform the Liberian people and the international community that the CDC-COP officially declares its full support for the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) protest scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2026. Our endorsement is predicated upon what we view as the Unity Party government's failure to respond to the demands presented by SUP on April 14, 2026. We therefore call upon all students, youths, workers, and patriotic citizens to peacefully join SUP as we collectively demand accountability from the Boakai-Koung Administration.
Additionally, the CDC-COP calls for the immediate resignation of Vice President Jeremiah Koung; Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman; NPA Managing Director Sekou Dukuly; Acting LDEA Director Fitzgerald Biago; Justice Minister Oswald Tweh; and RIA Managing Director Hughes Springs over allegations of criminal facilitation, abuse of public office, illicit enrichment, and involvement in narcotics-related activities. Given the seriousness of these allegations surrounding the nearly US$1 billion co***ne case, we believe an independent international investigation is necessary to establish the facts and allow all those accused the opportunity to clear their names.
The CDC-COP also gives the Unity Party regime 48 hours to immediately release the twelve jurors who remain detained following the Samuel D. Tweah trial. Reports that the Solicitor General allegedly facilitated the release of his alleged girlfriend and two other jurors who reportedly voted against the acquittal of Samuel D. Tweah raise serious concerns about unequal treatment and political interference in the judicial process. If true, such actions would represent a dangerous precedent.
Civil servants and ordinary citizens should never fear imprisonment for carrying out their civic responsibilities as jurors. All twelve jurors were accused in connection with the same matter, yet some have reportedly been released while others remain incarcerated. This unequal treatment raises serious questions that deserve public answers. We therefore demand the immediate release of all the detained jurors. Failure to do so will only deepen public mistrust and invite broader civic action.
Fellow Liberians, our nation's Independence Day is upon us, yet countless homes remain burdened by hardship. Many cooking pots remain empty. Parents cannot afford new clothes for their children. Mothers and fathers with multiple children are forced to choose between paying school fees and paying rent. Amid these economic difficulties, President Boakai and senior government officials have traveled to Grand Bassa to reportedly spend more than US$700,000 (approximately LD$126 million) on Independence Day celebrations.
At a time when the nation is struggling with economic hardship and serious allegations surrounding drug trafficking, many Liberians believe this level of expenditure demonstrates a troubling disconnect from the daily realities facing ordinary citizens. Rather than presiding over lavish celebrations, the President should be fully focused on addressing the country's most pressing national challenges and demanding greater accountability from public officials.
It is deeply unfortunate that while many Liberians struggle with hunger and unemployment, the country's leadership appears more focused on ceremonial activities than on finding solutions to the crises confronting the nation.
We therefore call upon all conscientious and patriotic Liberians to peacefully boycott what we consider an unnecessary display of extravagance. There is little cause for celebration when so many citizens continue to struggle with unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship after nearly 178 years of nationhood.
Finally, we express our appreciation to our international partners for their continued engagement regarding Liberia's reported co***ne crisis. Many citizens have lost confidence in the government's ability to independently investigate these allegations because senior officials themselves have been publicly accused. We therefore urge the international community to continue supporting credible, impartial, and independent investigations to ensure accountability and protect Liberia from becoming a major hub for transnational organized crime in Africa.
Thank you, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia.
Cc:
U.S. Department of State
European Union in Liberia
Ecowas - Cedeao
African Union
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
