Liberia’s Leadership Crisis: Boakai’s Dismissal of CDCians Sparks Outrage

Uncle Joe Boakai, the President of Liberia, is facing mounting criticism for his administration’s decision to dismiss hundreds of employees from the Civil Service Agency (CSA) on the grounds of their political affiliation. The move has been widely condemned as a form of political persecution and a blow to the country’s already fragile economy.

The Liberian Constitution grants the President the power to appoint political appointees, but not professional workers and civil servants. However, Boakai’s administration has failed to pass a Presidential Appointment Act that clearly defines the number of people a president can appoint. This has led to a culture of cronyism and nepotism, where political loyalists are favored over qualified professionals.

The dismissal of CDCians, as the affected employees are known, has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling it a repeat of the same mistakes made by previous administrations. Boakai’s team has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, and for failing to provide alternative employment opportunities to those affected.

The situation is particularly dire for ordinary Liberians, who are struggling to make ends meet in a country with limited job opportunities. The economy is in shambles, and the government’s failure to create jobs and stimulate growth has left many feeling hopeless.

Boakai’s administration has been accused of prioritizing personal interests over the needs of the country. Instead of focusing on job creation and economic development, officials are busy chasing officials at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and backing bailouts for their personal benefit.

The CBL governors have also been criticized for turning the institution into a commercial bank, cashing checks over the counter to the tune of $178 million, and undermining the nation’s banking system.

The situation is a stark reminder of the country’s history of poor governance and corruption. Leaders like Samuel Doe, Taylor, Sirleaf, and Weah have all left office in disgrace, and Boakai’s administration must learn from their mistakes.

The Speaker of the House, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has spoken out against the actions of the CSA Director, Josiah Joekai, but more needs to be done to address the crisis. Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence must take a front-and-center role in addressing these divisive issues and draft a Presidential Appointment Act to ensure good governance.

Liberians deserve better than a government that prioritizes personal interests over the needs of the country. It is time for Boakai to wake up and show true leadership, and for his administration to focus on creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.