Monrovia, Liberia – June 7, 2025 – Four major opposition political parties in Liberia are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of four lawmakers detained by the Liberia National Police in connection with the ongoing investigation into the recent Capitol Building fire.
The Alternative National Congress (ANC), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) issued a joint statement Friday, describing the detention of Hon. J. Fonati Koffa, Hon. Dixon W. Seboe, Hon. Abu Kamara, and Hon. Jacob Debee II as unjust and politically motivated.
The lawmakers were reportedly held from 10:00 a.m. until late Friday evening, prompting the opposition parties to accuse the government of using the justice system as a tool of political repression.
“This act is undemocratic and counter-productive to the rule of law,” the statement reads. “Such actions echo the oppressive tactics of past regimes and are unacceptable in any democratic society, including Liberia.”
Signed by political leaders H.E. Ambassador George Manneh Weah (CDC), Hon. Alexander B. Cummings (ANC), Hon. Musa Hassan Bility (CMC), and H.E. Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. (MOVEE), the joint release warns that any failure by the government to resolve the issue appropriately could lead to significant public discontent — though they emphasized any such response would be legal and peaceful.
While reaffirming their commitment to uncovering the truth behind the Capitol Building fire, the parties insist that the investigation must be impartial and not serve as a smokescreen for targeting opposition voices.
“The peace and stability of Liberia rest heavily on the government’s ability to act with integrity and fairness,” the statement continues. “Politically motivated maneuvers that threaten to destabilize our nation are perilous.”
The four parties stressed that their united front for peace and development must not be mistaken for weakness, stating, “Our position on this matter is firm and non-negotiable.”
As public scrutiny mounts over the government’s handling of the investigation, the call for due process and respect for democratic norms continues to resonate across political lines.
