PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Former Liberian President and Political Leader of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), George Manneh Weah, has launched a scathing attack on the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, accusing the government of eroding democratic institutions, violating the Constitution, and failing to deliver on promises of economic recovery.
Speaking Thursday at the CDC USA 2026 National Convention in Philadelphia, Weah noted that Liberia is experiencing a decline in governance, the rule of law, and economic stability under the Unity Party-led government.
“The hard-won gains of our democracy are now being reversed by the Boakai administration,” Weah told delegates. “They promised rescue. They promised transformation. They promised prosperity. Instead, families are struggling to eat, businesses are collapsing under the weight of a bad economy and high taxes, and the Liberian people’s confidence in their own institutions has been broken.”
The former President further claimed that executive interference in the Legislature and Judiciary has reached unprecedented levels since the end of Liberia’s civil conflict.
According to Weah, the current administration has engaged in what he described as “a systematic, calculated assault on the rule of law,” alleging repeated constitutional violations and the weakening of institutions established to safeguard Liberia’s democracy.
He accused the government of disregarding court rulings, interfering in the affairs of the Legislature, and undermining the separation of powers.
“The level of executive interference into the other two branches of government has never—never, in the history of our post-war democracy—been as pronounced, as reckless, or as dangerous as it is under this administration,” Weah asserted.
The CDC political leader also cited alleged incidents of police brutality, the removal of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the expulsion of lawmakers, and what he characterized as executive control over legislative decisions as evidence of democratic backsliding.
Weah further referenced the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, alleging that officials had acknowledged the infiltration of state institutions by drug traffickers.
“And, by their own admission, we now have a government whose integrity has been compromised by a cartel of drug traffickers—a betrayal so grave it threatens the very sovereignty and security of our nation,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Weah stressed that the CDC’s political campaign would not be driven by revenge but by national renewal and democratic restoration.
“Our fight is not a fight of vengeance, and it does not belong to the CDC alone,” he said. “The Liberia we are rebuilding belongs to every Liberian, in every county, in every community, across every political tradition.”
The former President extended an invitation to Liberians across the political divide, including former supporters of the Unity Party, to join what he described as a broad and inclusive coalition aimed at restoring good governance and rebuilding public confidence.
“We do not condemn our brothers and sisters for believing promises that were never meant to be kept,” Weah said. “We say to them tonight: come together.”
He said the CDC intends to build a coalition larger than the alliance that brought the party to power in the 2017 elections, arguing that Liberia’s future cannot be secured by a single political party.
Turning to internal party matters, Weah called on delegates to elect leaders capable of repositioning the CDC ahead of the 2029 elections.
“The outcome of today’s convention is not a small matter. It is crucial and decisive—to recalibrate the CDC,” he said, adding that every party chapter at home and abroad must begin preparations immediately.
“The road to 2029 runs through every chapter represented in this hall, and the work begins tonight—not tomorrow, not next week—tonight.”
Concluding his address, Weah maintained that political change can only be achieved through unity and the democratic will of the Liberian people.
“History has taught us, again and again, that divided movements do not change nations. United movements do,” he said. “We are ready. We are united. We are unafraid.”
President Boakai and the Unity Party have not publicly responded to Weah’s remarks. The allegations made by the former President reflect his views as expressed during the CDC USA 2026 National Convention.
