By By: Alphanso G. Kalama
The Student Unification Party (SUP) has issued a stern warning to the Boakai-Koung administration, threatening to disrupt President Joseph Boakai’s first State of the Nation Address if urgent actions are not taken to address a litany of grievances.
Citing nearly a year of what they describe as widespread corruption, poor governance, and economic mismanagement, SUP has presented a list of 30 demands, including the dismissal of key security officials and reforms in critical sectors. The group accuses the administration of failing to alleviate the struggles of ordinary Liberians, who they say are enduring extreme poverty while government officials lead lavish lifestyles.
SUP has specifically called for the immediate removal of Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and PSU-197 Commander Malachi S. Kolubah, alleging gross human rights violations, particularly against students and peaceful protesters. They claim police brutality under the current administration has undermined democracy and escalated public distrust in government institutions.
In addition to addressing police violence, SUP’s demands include accountability for past incidents of student brutality during protests, reforms in the educational sector, and measures to tackle unemployment and economic inequality. They argue that without these critical changes, President Boakai’s address would lack legitimacy.
The party has also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) and major GSM companies, including Orange and Lonestar, to restore affordable data and call services. SUP claims the recent price hikes in communication services represent a violation of citizens’ rights, particularly during a time of economic hardship.
SUP’s ultimatum underscores growing dissatisfaction among the population, with the group warning that failure to act on these demands could spark mass protests and unrest across the country. As tensions rise, all eyes are on the Boakai-Koung administration to see how it will respond to the mounting pressure ahead of the annual address.
