Under The Palava Hut

ARTICLE — UNDER THE PALAVA HUT

TITLE: LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK: A CALL TO THE WORLD

Under the Palava Hut, is calling the world’s attention to the systematic attack on democracy in Liberia by the government of President Joseph N. Boakai and his operatives.

The U.S. State Department’s 2025 Human Rights Report on Liberia cited alarming levels of police brutality and rights abuses. To date, the Boakai administration has taken no meaningful steps to address the findings or improve its conduct.

When the EU Ambassador accused the Vice President of illegally interfering in the mining sector, the government’s response was to call for her expulsion from Liberia — punishing diplomacy with threats.

Today, critics of the government are being witch-hunted:
Hon. Samuel D. Tweah, former Minister of Finance and Development Planning; Samuel Jackson; Simon Freeman, the DSTV boss; Foday Massaquoi of CDC-COP; Eric Parvis, CEO of Diaspora Alert, who was threatened by the Minister of Information; Atty. Abraham Godsend Weion, Manager of Kings FM; Winston Blanden of Bana FM; Prince Sheriff, CEO of Under the Palava Hut; among many others.

The Boakai-led regime is weaponizing the security sector and the judiciary to target dissent. Liberia is no longer safe for those who hold critical views of government officials.

We call on our international partners — the United States of America, the European Union, the Government of France, the Swedish Government, and all partners of Liberia to intervene now before the situation spirals out of control.

The government’s actions against its critics amount to a declaration of war against innocent citizens. The people will not hesitate to defend themselves and their democracy against Mr. Boakai and his operatives if forced to do so.

Let this serve as official communication to the world and to all who believe in the rule of law.
_Under the Palava Hut_

PRESS RELEASE — UNDER THE PALAVA HUT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2026. WE CONDEMN LNP INTIMIDATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP STAND.

Under The Palava Hut strongly condemns the Government of Liberia/ Liberia National Police’s(LNP) continued intimidation of civil rights advocacy group STAND.

On July 15, 2026, the LNP impounded a vehicle used by STAND to publicize their July 17, 2026 peaceful protest. We reject the police’s claim of “mechanical defects” as a pretext to suppress lawful assembly.

This is an attack on the Liberian people’s fundamental right to assemble and demand accountability from the government they elected. This pattern of intimidation is alarming.

Last year, STAND’s headquarters was set ablaze by unknown men, yet the government has failed to launch a full investigation. The head of STAND has also been physically attacked by LNP officers — again, with no investigation to date.

The LNP’s July 15 press statement exposes the government’s intolerance. A government that freely protested while in opposition now weaponizes state security to silence dissent.

We call on the United States, European Union, ECOWAS, and all international partners to take note of this dangerous trend of state-sponsored intimidation against civil society in Liberia. The right to protest is constitutional. The government must protect it, not crush it.