Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has disassociated itself from a group calling itself the Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL), clarifying that the organization is unknown to the Council and has no official status within the country’s civil society community.
The clarification comes amid public confusion following statements made by the CSNL in defense of Monrovia City Mayor John Charuk Siafa, who is currently facing serious allegations of financial and administrative misconduct.
The NCSCL, which serves as the umbrella body for more than 1,500 registered civil society organizations in Liberia, issued a formal statement on Thursday, June 12, 2025, warning the public against engaging with or legitimizing unrecognized entities.
“The group in question is neither known nor recognized by the National Civil Society Council, and our leadership or membership knows no individuals associated with it,” said NCSCL Chairperson Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai in the statement.
“We caution the public, media institutions, and political actors against engaging with or associating themselves with unauthorized groups that use the banner of civil society to further personal or political agendas. Such actions mislead, undermine the integrity of the civil society sector, and erode public trust.”
The Council emphasized that any views or activities undertaken by CSNL do not reflect those of the NCSCL or the broader civil society community it represents.
Mayor Siafa is under public scrutiny over multiple allegations, including unauthorized financial payments, irregularities in procurement processes, interference with audit procedures, conflicts of interest, and alleged politicization of staffing at the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC).
Despite these accusations, the CSNL has issued statements in support of the mayor, prompting concern and confusion about the group’s legitimacy and its role in the civic space.
The NCSCL described the actions of CSNL as a misuse of civil society identity and warned that any future attempts to manipulate or misrepresent the sector for political protection would be met with firm civic action.
“Civil society in Liberia plays a critical role in advancing democracy, good governance, and national development, and we take that responsibility seriously,” the Council stated.
It further reaffirmed its position as the only nationally recognized coordinating body for civil society organizations in the country and encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and support only legitimate, law-abiding civic actors.
“We encourage the public to remain vigilant and to continue supporting credible, lawful civic engagement,” the statement added.
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