MOVEE Condemns President Boakai Over Foreign Relations, Salary Claims, and Governance Issues

The Movement for Economic and Empowerment (MOVEE) has strongly criticized Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, accusing him of negatively shifting Liberia’s foreign and external relations within his first year in office.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, MOVEE alleged that the Boakai-Koung administration has diverted Liberia’s diplomatic ties from Ukraine to Russia by participating in the 2024 Russia-Africa Summit, organized by the Russian Federation. The group believes this move undermines Liberia’s previous stance on global alliances and human rights issues.

MOVEE also condemned the administration’s endorsement of Liberia’s 177th Independence Day orator, Robtel Pailey, stating that her speech on July 26, 2024, was an attack on Liberia’s historic ties with the United States.

Additionally, the organization rejected claims that Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was initiated under President Boakai, insisting that the process was launched under former President George Weah on July 9, 2023, in Guinea-Bissau.

The group also dismissed President Boakai’s assertion in his annual message that his administration had increased salaries for health workers, police officers, and teachers, describing it as false and misleading. According to MOVEE, no salary increment occurred throughout 2024, and the government has failed to reverse the harmonization policy, despite promises made during the 2023 presidential campaign.

MOVEE further accused President Boakai of violating the rule of law, stating that his administration has struggled with upholding the Liberian Constitution.

On the issue of corruption, the organization downplayed the president’s anti-corruption stance, calling it mere rhetoric. MOVEE alleged that instead of addressing corruption, the administration is being used to enrich government officials with public funds.

The group is now calling on the Boakai-Koung administration to provide clarity on these concerns and take concrete actions to address issues of governance, transparency, and Liberia’s foreign policy direction.