– Pres. Boakai Reacts to CDC Headquarters’ Demolition
By G. Bennie Bravo Johnson
Liberia – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has defended the demolition of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters, framing the controversial legal action as a straightforward implementation of the law. The President made his remarks upon returning from Japan on Saturday evening at Roberts International Airport.
His comments come amid diverse opinions over the destruction of the party’s property. “The Law is the Law. It’s not the Government, it’s the Government implementation of the law,” President Boakai stated. He also noted, “The Police were hired to implement the eviction. The eviction is the act of removing a person from the property that does not belong to them.”
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has clarified its role in the recent demolition of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters, stating that the operation was carried out in strict compliance with a lawful court order. According to the LNP, its involvement was solely to assist the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in enforcing a writ of possession issued in favor of the property owner. The police stressed that the exercise was a legal matter, not a politically motivated action.
Inspector General Gregory Coleman reiterated the LNP’s constitutional responsibility to remain neutral and uphold the rule of law. He emphasized that the police acted “without fear or favor” in executing the court’s mandate and that their primary obligation was to maintain peace, protect lives, and ensure that judicial decisions are implemented. Coleman further assured the public that the force remains committed to professionalism and impartiality in handling such sensitive operations.
The LNP, in its official statement issued on August 22, 2025, urged Liberians to remain calm and respect the rule of law. The police dismissed claims of political interference, describing the demolition as a procedural enforcement within the justice system. They maintained that ensuring court orders are carried out is essential to sustaining law and order in the country.
Meanwhile, political analysts have described the demolition of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters as politically significant and deeply symbolic in Liberia’s current governance landscape. The headquarters of the CDC is not just a party building; it represents the political base of a former ruling party and one of the strongest opposition forces in the country. Its destruction, therefore, transcends a mere property dispute—it projects power dynamics between the sitting government and its most influential rival, igniting debates over political tolerance and the use of state authority.
From a political standpoint, the timing and manner of the demolition send a strong message about the ruling establishment’s resolve to enforce state authority—even at the expense of escalating tensions with a major opposition bloc. President Joseph Boakai’s public endorsement of the demolition under the phrase “The law is the law” reinforces this narrative, signaling that his administration prioritizes the rule of law over political appeasement. However, to many CDC supporters, this act appears as a targeted attempt to weaken their organizational strength and morale, raising fears of shrinking democratic space and reawakening memories of political intimidation from Liberia’s turbulent past.
The incident has polarized public opinion, with critics viewing it as an unnecessary provocation that could deepen political divisions, while others hail it as a bold assertion of legal authority in a country where enforcement has often been selective. In essence, the demolition is more than a legal process—it is a political spectacle that highlights Liberia’s struggle to balance the rule of law with democratic coexistence, setting the stage for heightened political contestation ahead of future elections.
