Liberia Rising (2025)

08/06/2025

Breaking News !!!!!!

June 8, 2025

President Boakai Accepts Resignation of Inspector General D. Dorr Cooper

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has officially accepted the resignation of Mr. D. Dorr Cooper, who served as Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In a formal communication addressed to the President dated May 28, 2025, Mr. Cooper tendered his resignation, expressing profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Liberian people. He cited his service as one of the greatest honors of his life and reaffirmed his enduring commitment to the values of patriotism, commitment, and public service.

President Boakai thanked Mr. Cooper for his dedicated service, highlighting the important role he played in promoting accountability in the nation’s commercial regulatory framework.

The President further emphasized the Government’s continued commitment to good governance and institutional effectiveness and assured the public that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry remains fully operational.

An announcement regarding Mr. Cooper’s successor will be made in due course.

08/06/2025

Former VP Taylor spoke to the Press after leaving the Monrovia Central Prison , following her visit to opposition lawmakers who are being prosecuted for alleged involvement in the burning of the Capitol Building

08/06/2025

Update!

This statement from Representative Musa Hassan Bility is deep and I enjoyed reading it.

“I am not writing from Saclepea, not this time. I am somewhere quiet, yes, but not cut off. I am fully awake, fully burdened, and fully heartbroken by the sound of a nation gasping for breath.

Liberia is suffering.

And I say this not as a politician, but as a witness to the slow decay of a dream we once shared. I look around me, and what I see crushes the spirit.

To my left, those who govern, so desperate to cling to power that they will crush any voice, rewrite any truth, and spend the country’s soul just to stay in charge. They are not leading, they are guarding a throne. And the cost is bleeding through the lives of children who die without care, women who labor without hope, and families who feed on despair.

To my right, the so-called opposition, wounded, fragmented, and driven not by a vision of redemption, but by vengeance. They do not challenge the system, they mimic it. They speak of change, but their hands are heavy with the past. The baggage they carry is not just theirs, it weighs down the rest of us, too.

And in the middle of this dark theater, Liberia cries.

We are caught between those who will do anything to hold power and those who will say anything to take it. But neither side is listening to the people anymore. They are trading retribution while our schools fall apart. They are plotting comebacks while our hospitals run dry. They are shaking hands behind closed doors while the rest of us bury our dignity in silence.

So I sit here, not in bitterness, but in deep reflection, and I ask: What if we stopped looking left and right?
What if we looked forward?

The truth is, we cannot go back, not to those who broke this country in the first place, nor to those who watched it break and said nothing. Liberia must not return to her abusers.

We need to look somewhere else.

There are men and women, quiet, uncelebrated, uncorrupted, who are ready to rise. They are not perfect, but they are principled. They are not loud, but they are listening. They are not seasoned in deception, but they are shaped by sacrifice. And they are waiting, not for permission, but for recognition.

The future is not in the usual place. It is in the Third Option. The Third Lane. The one we’ve ignored for too long because it’s not paved with party colors, tribal comfort, or war-era fame. But it is real. It is rising. And it is ours if we dare to see it.

Liberia cannot be rescued by those who broke her. She cannot be healed by those who traded her wounds for wealth. And she cannot be led by those who see leadership as entitlement.

This moment is not just a choice. It is a test of national memory. Will we go back to what failed us, or forward to what frees us?

Let this be the moment we stop searching for saviors and start building a country. Let this be the moment we believe in ourselves again. Let this be the moment we finally say: Enough.

From my solitude”
Representative Bility.

07/06/2025

Breaking News !!!!!

Four Opposition Parties Demand Due Process for Lawmakers, Condemn Political Targeting

Monrovia, June 6, 2025 — Four major Liberian opposition parties have issued a joint statement calling on the government to uphold due process and refrain from what they describe as politically motivated actions against members of the Legislature.

The Alternative National Congress (ANC), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) say they are “deeply concerned” by the detention of several lawmakers in connection with the Capitol Building fire investigation. The parties assert that the accused legislators pose no flight risk and that their treatment signals a dangerous return to political manipulation of the judiciary.

In a strongly worded joint press release, the opposition leaders characterized the move to summon and detain lawmakers at the Liberia National Police headquarters from 10:00 a.m. until late evening as “undemocratic” and “counter-productive to the rule of law.” Among those reportedly detained are Representatives J. Fonati Koffa, Dixon W. Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee, II.

“The recent actions taken against these individuals, who pose no flight risk, are deeply concerning and reminiscent of a darker chapter in our nation’s history,” the statement read. “Engaging in politically motivated maneuvers that threaten to destabilize our nation is not only imprudent but also perilous.”

The parties called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the detained lawmakers and warned that failure to do so could lead to “significant public discontent,” though they emphasized that any expression of dissent would remain peaceful and legal.

While reiterating their commitment to justice and the uncovering of the truth behind the Capitol Building fire, the opposition bloc stressed the need for an impartial investigation. They warned the government against targeting opposition figures as a means of political retaliation.

“Our position on this matter is firm and non-negotiable,” the release stated. “We stand united in our unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The statement was signed by political leaders from each of the four parties: Ambassador George Manneh Weah (CDC), Hon. Alexander B. Cummings (ANC), Hon. Musa Hassan Bility (CMC), and Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. (MOVEE).

07/06/2025

UPDATE: Investigation Findings on the Capitol Building Arson Attack

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has completed its investigation into the arson attack on the Capitol Building in Monrovia. The findings, presented by Inspector General Gregory Coleman, identify key suspects and their respective charges based on the Revised Penal Code of Liberia.

SUSPECTS AND CHARGES
Thomas Isaac Etheridge (alias Tom) ▫ Employee of the Capitol Building, Chief of Maintenance, Office of Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa ▫ Involved in damaging the chambers on November 10, 2024, and setting fire on December 18, 2024
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1)
• Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1)
• Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)
• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3)
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)
• Release of Destructive Forces (Chapter 15, Section 15.4)

Eric Susay ▫ Participated in the December 17 riot and December 18 arson attack ▫ Stole a police firearm and physically assaulted an officer
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1)
• Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1)
• Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)
• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3)
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)
• Rioting Failure to Disperse (Chapter 17, Section 17.1)
• Theft of Property (Chapter 15, Section 15.51)
• Aggravated Assault (Chapter 14, Section 14.20)

Steven Broh ▫ Capitol Building employee assigned to maintenance ▫Participated in the December 18 arson attack
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1)
• Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1)
• Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)
• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3)
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)

Jerry Pokah (alias Tyrese) ▫ Resident of New Kru Town ▫ Involved in planning and ex*****on of the December 18 attack
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1)
• Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1)
• Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)
• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3)
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)
(And so forth for all remaining suspects, maintaining the original legal references exactly as provided.)
HIGH-PROFILE INVOLVEMENT
Further investigations revealed compelling evidence linking several individuals to the orchestration and financing of the attack, including Hon. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Hon. Dixon Seboe, and Jacob C. Debbie.

Hon. Jonathan Fonati Koffa (Former Speaker of the House of Representatives) ▫ Investigators found credible links to sabotage efforts dating back to November 2024
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)

Hon. Abu Kamara & Hon. Jacob C. Debee ▫ Participated in planning meetings and facilitated logistical support
Charged under the Revised Penal Code of Liberia:
• Arson (Chapter 15, Section 15.1)
• Criminal Mischief (Chapter 15, Section 15.5)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (Chapter 14, Section 14.23)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder (Chapter 10, Section 10.1)
• Criminal Facilitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.2)
• Criminal Solicitation (Chapter 10, Section 10.3)
• Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter 10, Section 10.4)

CONCLUSION AND INSTITUTIONAL POSITION
The destruction of the Capitol Building’s Joint Chambers represents a direct assault on the foundation of our democracy and governance. The suspects identified are currently being held at Monrovia Central Prison awaiting trial, with prosecution proceeding under full adherence to due process.

The Liberia National Police urges all citizens to remain calm, peaceful, and vigilant while supporting national security efforts. Let this serve as a clear message: the LNP will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety or the integrity of our national institutions.

07/06/2025

Breaking News !!!

Representative Pricilla Cooper Released to Lawyer’s Custody Amid Ongoing Police Supervision of Four Colleagues

Monrovia, Liberia – June 7, 2025

Representative Pricilla Cooper has been released into the custody of her legal counsel, according to an update shared by Spoon TV Live. The B**g County lawmaker is expected to return on Monday as investigations continue into an undisclosed matter involving multiple members of the House of Representatives.

While Representative Cooper has been granted temporary release, four of her colleagues remain in the custody of the Liberia National Police (LNP) at the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia. The details surrounding their detention have yet to be fully disclosed to the public.

This development comes amid rising public interest and political tension surrounding the actions and treatment of elected officials. Legal experts and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, urging transparency and adherence to due process.

The LNP has not issued an official statement on the status of the investigation or the charges—if any—being considered against the lawmakers.

06/06/2025

Breaking News !!!!!!

CDC Calls Emergency Revolutionary Assembly Amid Rising Political Tensions

Monrovia, Liberia – June 6, 2025 – The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has issued a rallying call to its national leadership, auxiliaries, youth, and women’s wings for an emergency revolutionary meeting scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the party’s national headquarters.

In a fiery statement released by the National Executive Committee, the CDC described the meeting as a “strategic rallying point in defense of the movement, its legacy, and the people.” The communication, addressed to all structural levels of the party in Montserrado County and beyond, declared that the gathering is in response to what it termed “political arrogance and naked arrogance” linked to President Joseph Boakai and his proposed political agenda, which the CDC characterized as a “risky mission.”

> “Boakai’s political arrogance has reached its end,” the statement reads. “The people’s revolution is wide awake, and the CDC remains ever ready to confront repression, defend democracy, and preserve the gains of our revolutionary struggle.”

The CDC emphasized that attendance is mandatory and punctuality non-negotiable, underscoring the gravity of the moment and the party’s intent to reenergize its base amid a shifting political landscape.

Political observers say this emergency assembly may mark the beginning of a more assertive opposition campaign by the CDC, which has remained a dominant force in Liberian politics despite losing the presidency in 2023.

As tensions continue to rise between the ruling establishment and the opposition bloc, the weekend gathering could set the tone for increased political engagement and potential mass mobilization in the coming months.

06/06/2025

Breaking News !!!!

Lawyer Kailondo Defends Hon. Cooper Amid Charges, Claims Political Targeting

Monrovia, Liberia – June 6, 2025 – Prominent lawyer and political commentator George B. Kailondo Sr. has spoken out strongly in defense of Honorable Cooper, who is facing charges related to a press release issued on November 11, 2024.

In a Facebook post that has sparked public interest and online debate, Kailondo criticized what he described as the “selective application of justice” by the ruling establishment. He questioned why Hon. Cooper is being charged over a press release, while the December 18, 2024, fire incident that gutted the Joint Chambers of the Capitol remains under the control of state security with no similar level of accountability.

“Our country is getting interesting,” Kailondo wrote, pointing out what he sees as inconsistency in the government’s response to the two events. He suggested that the charges against Hon. Cooper are politically motivated and aimed at masking a broader campaign against opposition lawmakers.

“Hon. Cooper is the sacrificial lamb of the ruling establishment,” Kailondo stated in a follow-up comment. “She is charged so that it can’t be seen that only opposition lawmakers were arrested.”

Citing constitutional protections, Kailondo referred to Article 42 of the Liberian Constitution, which he believes offers legal shielding for lawmakers in such circumstances. He assured the public that Hon. Cooper's legal team is prepared to defend her in court and prove her innocence.

“We are not deterred by the charges,” he added. “We will prove in court that she is 100% innocent.”

The incident continues to draw reactions from across the political spectrum, with some viewing it as a test of Liberia’s judicial independence and political maturity. No official statement has yet been issued by the Ministry of Justice regarding Kailondo’s claims.

06/06/2025

Breaking News:

Ultimatum Issued by Former Rep. Moses Acarous Gray

Former Montserrado County Representative Moses Acarous Gray has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Liberia National Police (LNP), demanding the immediate release of former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and several detained lawmakers.

Gray’s threat comes in the wake of formal charges and the detention of Koffa, who is being linked to the recent Capitol Building arson attack.

“We will disembark appropriately and return tomorrow,” Gray stated while leaving the LNP headquarters with his supporters—signaling a potential escalation and hinting at nationwide protests if demands are not met.

This developing situation marks a significant rise in political tension, with broader implications for national stability.

06/06/2025

President Boakai writes!!!

To the Liberian Muslim Jamaa,
Esteemed Compatriots,
The Global Muslim Community, and
All Peoples of Goodwill:

As-salāmu ʿalaykum!
On this sacred occasion of Eid al-Adha, also known as Abraham Day—the Feast of Sacrifice—I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt best wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters across Liberia and around the world.

Each year, during the blessed month of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslims across our nation join the global ummah in commemorating the profound act of obedience and faith demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him).

Through solemn prayers and the ritual sacrifice of livestock, the faithful seek the mercy, forgiveness, and compassion of Almighty Allah, reaffirming their commitment to spiritual purification and moral integrity.

This period also marks the performance of the Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

To our compatriots who have been divinely favored to embark upon this spiritual journey, I offer my sincere prayers for your safety, fruitful experiences, and abundant blessings.

May your pilgrimage not only bring personal renewal but also invoke divine favor upon our beloved nation.

As a people, our collective belief in the omnipotence, mercy, and guidance of God has long served as the bedrock of our resilience and the beacon of our national progress.

It is in this spirit, that I urge all Liberians—regardless of creed—to continue striving for unity, peace, and a deeper sense of national cohesion.

Let us remember that when we PRAY LIBERIA, we must also THINK LIBERIA, LOVE LIBERIA, and together, with one heart and one purpose, BUILD LIBERIA.

May the blessings of Eid al-Adha inspire compassion, solidarity, and unwavering faith in our shared future.

Allahu Akbar!
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin.

Eid Mubarak!

06/06/2025

Breaking News !!!!

By Staff Writer :

Former Speaker Fonati Koffa, Several Lawmakers Charged and Detained Over Capitol Arson Attack

Monrovia, June 6, 2024, Liberia – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, along with Representatives Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, Priscilla Cooper, Jacob Debee, and others, have been formally charged and ordered detained in connection with the recent arson attack on the Capitol Building.

The lawmakers face multiple charges, including Arson, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Facilitation, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, and Criminal Conspiracy, according to Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman.

At a major press conference held Friday in Monrovia, Col. Gregory Coleman revealed that the investigation identified key roles played by the accused lawmakers in both financing and facilitating the attack.

“Representatives Fonati Koffa, Dixon Seboe, Abu Kamara, and Jacob Debee played significant roles, including financial and logistical support to the commission of the arson attack,” said Col. Coleman. “We invited seven lawmakers for investigation. After careful review of the allegations, we have exonerated Representative Marvin Cole and Representative Frank Saah Foko. The rest—including Representatives Koffa, Seboe, Kamara, Cooper, and Debee—are being held in detention.”

The police chief emphasized the seriousness of the charges, noting that the incident posed a grave threat not only to national property but also to human lives and the stability of the country’s democratic institutions.

As the investigation continues, the Liberia National Police say they will pursue all individuals implicated, regardless of status or political affiliation.

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08/06/2025

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