Philadelphia, PA – The Congress for Democratic Change USA Chapter (CDC-USA) has issued a sharp rebuke of President Joseph Boakai-led government for intentionally committing serious human rights violations and political repression. In a statement from CDC-USA Chairman Yahaya Talata Sheriff, the group references the latest human rights report from the US Department of State, which highlights issues like arbitrary killings, torture, and censorship occurring under Boakai’s rule.
Sheriff argues that the actions of the Boakai administration pose “a threat to our freedoms, our dignity, and our democracy.” He pointed out instances where public employees have been dismissed simply for being part of the opposition or for not praising the president, along with the lack of active trade unions, which leaves citizens exposed to government mistreatment.
The CDC-USA is calling for tough international sanctions, including economic measures and visa restrictions on officials within Boakai’s government who are implicated in serious human rights violations, such as unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and severe limitations on freedom of expression and media. This includes violence against journalists and censorship, as well as human trafficking and restrictions on workers’ rights, as noted by the U.S. State Department.
The political group urges civil society, the media, opposition parties, and the global community to hold the Boakai administration accountable for its actions. “We will not stay silent. We will not accept excuses. And we will not let this government undermine the freedoms our people have fought for,” Sheriff asserted.
There has been a growing chorus of voices, particularly from organizations and Liberians living in the United States, calling for sanctions against officials in the Boakai-led government. This comes on the heels of the U.S. State Department releasing its 2024 Human Rights Reports on Liberia. Dr. D. Garkpe Gedepoh, the Executive Director of the Panoramic Justice Group, has made a statement urging the U.S. government to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions on the Liberian officials involved and to reconsider Liberia’s eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact due to these serious human rights abuses and corruption. Additionally, Dr. Elizabeth M. Gaye-Kamara, a concerned Liberian based in the U.S., has also called on the U.S. government to hold back the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant that was approved for Liberia in December 2024. Her plea is fueled by the disturbing human rights violations outlined in the latest U.S. State Department Human Rights reports.
