Africa-Press – Liberia. The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) has renewed its criticism of the Liberian government’s land “reclaim” policy, warning President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to immediately halt what it describes as the forced displacement of vulnerable citizens or face nationwide peaceful resistance.
The organization cautioned that unresolved land disputes, corruption, and the use of state security forces against poor communities were among the core drivers of Liberia’s 14-year civil war, warning that the current approach risks plunging the country back into instability.
STAND, which strongly opposes the ongoing demolition campaign now openly backed by the government following President Boakai’s instruction to officials and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to “take lands” allegedly belonging to the state, described the policy as a dangerous revival of pre-war injustices.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia, STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlu said Liberia is approaching a critical breaking point that demands urgent national attention.
“This nation stands at a dangerous crossroads and may slip over the cliff if Boakai is not stopped. It is time to drop our differences and unite because the entire country of suffering people now has one enemy, and that enemy, sadly, is its own president,” Morlu said.
He urged Liberians not to remain silent simply because they have not yet been directly affected by the demolitions and land seizures.
“We cannot continue to sit down while others suffer just because it has not yet reached your doorpost. If we don’t rise now, one day you will be sleeping and be awakened by one state abuse or the other,” he warned.
According to Morlu, what Liberia is experiencing under the Boakai administration is not a collection of isolated land disputes but a deliberate policy choice that mirrors the injustices which fueled the civil war.
“History is repeating itself; not by accident, but by policy, pronouncement, and deliberate state action,” he emphasized.
STAND took particular issue with President Boakai’s recent remarks during the 72nd Barracks land dispute, where the President reportedly stated that “the army will come back to take their land.”
When President Boakai declared that ‘the army will come back to take their land, according to Morlu, he did more than side with the Armed Forces of Liberia against thousands of civilians. He legitimized state violence against vulnerable citizens, normalized forced displacement, and announced a doctrine of land confiscation under the false and reckless banner of ‘public land.
He said the message sent to ordinary Liberians was unmistakable, amounting to a declaration that their homes are temporary, their lives do not matter, and the state is coming for them.
Morlu further questioned the government’s decision to deploy soldiers to the 72nd area, alleging that the move is politically motivated.
“Why is Joseph Boakai bringing the army to 72nd? It is because of 2029. He knows he is most likely going to lose the next election due to his excesses and may be planning to rig it. To do so, he needs the army, the faction run by his kinsman, stationed right next to his rehab residence, just a five-minute drive away,” he alleged.
He warned Liberians not to reduce the unfolding crisis to a land issue alone.
“This is not just about land. It is about power. economic power first, then political power,” Morlu said.
STAND noted that communities across Monrovia and other parts of the country, including Stockton Creek, New Port Street, Bushrod Island, Saye Town, Catholic Community, Wroto Town, Old Road, Mat Estate, Paynesville, Somalia Drive, and several rural areas, are being demolished by bulldozers escorted by armed police.
“This is not development. This is not reform. This is class warfare enforced by the state,” the organization declared, accusing politically connected individuals of exploiting a compromised judiciary to dispossess poor Liberians.
Morlu added that President Boakai’s call for ministries and agencies to “take all government lands” ignores flawed land records, war-era destruction of documentation, international laws against forced evictions, and the humanitarian crisis created by mass displacement, saying, “Instead of healing war wounds, this government is reopening them with bulldozers and boots.”
STAND described the situation as a moral and constitutional failure of leadership, with Morlu stating, A government elected on promises of rescue has chosen repression. A president who pledged reconciliation has chosen confrontation.
He added that a state that should protect its citizens is now turning the army against them, before calling on Liberians from all walks of life to mobilize peacefully, concluding, “Let there be no violence, but let there be no surrender.”
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
