Africa-Press – Liberia. President Joseph Boakai has in recent months embarked on an uncharacteristic wave of dismissals across key sectors of his administration without offering any public explanation. The dismissals have reportedly left cabinet members and agency heads uncertain about their fate, with many insiders describing the atmosphere in government as tense and fearful.
The latest episode came earlier this week when the President abruptly dismissed his long-time political ally and Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, followed by a fresh round of sackings at the Liberia Airport Authority, the Ministry of Education, and other state institutions.
As in previous cases, the Executive Mansion offered no reason for the removals. Instead, terse press releases announced the new appointments and urged the new officials to serve with “integrity and diligence.”
The President’s silence, once viewed as a sign of restraint and composure, has now become a source of national intrigue. What was initially seen as routine administrative reshuffling has evolved into what some political observers are calling “a pattern of unexplained purges” and a quiet but calculated reconfiguration of the Boakai government that has left even his closest allies on edge.
Paye’s dismissal was especially shocking to many, not only because of his long-standing relationship with the President but also because his ministry had, until now, been seen as one of the few government institutions operating with relative stability and without major scandal. The sudden decision to remove him has therefore drawn strong reactions from political figures, analysts, and citizens alike.
Musa Bility, leader of the opposition Citizens Movement for Change, described Paye’s dismissal as troubling and inconsistent with President Boakai’s public commitment to transparency.
In a statement posted online, Bility said the President’s silence “raises serious concerns about fairness, accountability, and good governance.” He argued that under Paye’s leadership, the Ministry of Mines and Energy maintained order, discipline, and integrity.
“It is therefore both surprising and troubling that the Minister has been summarily dismissed under the often-quoted pretext of the prerogative of the President,” Bility stated. “While no one disputes the President’s constitutional right to hire and dismiss officials, that right must be exercised with respect for the public’s right to know. Transparency and accountability are not optional in a democracy; they are obligations owed to the Liberian people.”
The dismissal also triggered a personal and emotional reaction from Paye’s wife, Comfort Paye, who took to social media to express pride in her husband’s integrity. “Thank you for making me a very proud wife,” she wrote. “Choosing integrity over wealth is the best choice any true Christian can make. You are a great statesman, and posterity will judge you kindly.” Her post quickly gained traction online, resonating with those who see Paye as a symbol of principled public service.
Montserrado County Senator Abe Darius Dillon, known for his frank political commentary, also weighed in. “As the events unfold,” he wrote cryptically on Facebook, “the week will be even more interesting.” His remarks, though brief, added to the growing anticipation about further dismissals and deepened speculation that the President’s actions are part of a broader restructuring plan that has yet to be publicly defined.
Political analyst Michael T. Biddle described the situation as both “legally justified and politically risky.” According to Biddle, the President’s right to dismiss appointees is unquestionable under Liberian law, but the pattern and secrecy surrounding the decisions are eroding public trust. “Removal from a post, either for a cause or no cause, is dismissal,” he said. “But when reshuffling becomes a series of silent purges without clarity, it creates an atmosphere of fear and undermines morale within the government.”
That fear is now palpable in government circles. Several high-ranking officials who spoke anonymously described a climate of uncertainty where ministers and directors arrive at work unsure whether their names will appear on the next list of dismissals. One senior official said, “People come to work every day wondering if their letter is already on the President’s desk. No one knows what’s driving these decisions. It’s unsettling.”
Insiders close to the Executive Mansion say the President has grown increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of reform and poor performance across key ministries.
According to one source, Boakai believes that decisive action, even if misunderstood, is necessary to enforce discipline and loyalty within his administration. Others suggest the President is seeking to eliminate internal divisions and ensure that his reform agenda — centered on the ARREST framework for agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism — proceeds without resistance from entrenched political interests.
Yet, while some Liberians view President Boakai’s actions as a bold attempt to assert control and strengthen accountability, others worry that his silence is feeding perceptions of arrogance and authoritarian drift.
“Dismissals are not the problem,” said one civil society activist in Monrovia. “The problem is the lack of communication. When the President does not explain his actions, people fill the gap with their own theories — and that breeds fear and mistrust.”
On radio talk shows and social media platforms, the conversation has taken on a life of its own. Some callers praised the President for taking swift and decisive action against complacency and corruption, saying Liberia needs strong leadership to restore discipline in public service. Others questioned why respected officials such as Paye were removed without explanation. “If the President wants to fight corruption, that’s fine,” one caller said on a Monrovia morning program, “but you can’t fight corruption with secrecy.”
President Boakai, who built his reputation as a calm, principled, and inclusive leader during his years as Vice President, now faces a different test of leadership — balancing decisiveness with openness. Analysts say his recent actions may reflect a shift toward a more assertive governance style, signaling that he is no longer willing to tolerate underperformance or disloyalty. However, without transparency, even well-intentioned actions risk being perceived as politically motivated.
The Executive Mansion has so far refused to elaborate on the reasons behind the dismissals. Press Secretary officials maintain that the President is exercising his constitutional authority to appoint and remove officials at his discretion. While that statement is legally sound, it does little to ease the growing anxiety among government employees or the rising curiosity among the public.
Across Monrovia, one question dominates political conversation: Who’s next? Ministers, deputy ministers, and agency directors now work under a cloud of uncertainty, aware that a reshuffle could come at any time and without warning. Some speculate that further changes may target ministries linked to economic management, infrastructure, and education — areas central to the President’s reform priorities.
For now, President Boakai’s unpredictable approach has both energized and unsettled the political landscape. His supporters applaud what they see as a long-overdue assertion of authority, while critics warn that his silence is breeding confusion and fear within a government that needs stability and morale to function effectively.
Source: FrontPageAfrica
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