Liberia’s Boakai Suspends Human Rights Chief, Senate Demands Firing of Official Over T-Shirt – Two New Grift Alarms

Liberia’s Boakai Suspends Human Rights Chief, Senate Demands Firing of Official Over T-Shirt – Two New Grift Alarms

Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai is under fire from two directions at once—civil society says his suspension of the country’s top human rights watchdog is illegal, while the Senate is demanding he fire a senior official for wearing a political T-shirt at a pro-Boakai rally.

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The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has condemned President Boakai’s decision to suspend Cllr. Dempster Brown, chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR). The council says the move violates the Liberian constitution and the INCHR Act of 2005, which includes specific protections for the commission’s leadership [198830]. The suspension has sparked immediate concern among human rights groups, who warn it threatens the independence of the body tasked with protecting Liberians’ rights. Boakai has not publicly responded to the criticism [198830].

Separately, the Liberian Senate has called for the removal of Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., head of the Civil Service Agency, after he wore a NIMBO T-shirt at a pro-Boakai rally. The Senate ruled that the act violated the National Code of Conduct, which bans public officials from engaging in partisan political displays [198820]. Joekai now faces potential sanction or dismissal by President Boakai. No official response from the president has been reported [198820].

These developments come as opposition leader Alexander Cummings accuses Boakai of running a “selective justice” system, criticizing the administration’s handling of a major drug trafficking investigation involving the seizure of US$19.2 million worth of cocaine [196267]. Cummings claimed the probe lacks transparency and targets only political rivals, arguing that the government has failed to pursue powerful figures connected to the drug trade [196267]. “This is not about law enforcement. This is about protecting certain people,” Cummings said [196267]. The drug investigation remains ongoing, with no arrests of high-profile officials reported so far [196267].

Amid the political turmoil, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has promised to protect the right to peaceful assembly for the group known as STAND—Solidarity and Trust for a New Day—ahead of a major protest planned for July 17, 2026 [197504]. The police issued a stern warning that anyone who uses the protest as a cover for violence, destroying property, or other crimes will face prosecution [197504].

Sources

Liberia President Suspends Human Rights Chief; Civil Society Calls It Unconstitutional #198830Liberia Senate Demands Firing of Official Over T-Shirt at Rally #198820Liberia’s Top Lawyer Says President Shields Allies in $19 Million Drug Case #196267Liberia Police: Protesters Will Be Protected, But Violence Will Be Prosecuted #197504

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