CAPITOL HILL — Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe says he fears for his life following what he describes as a reckless and deadly accusation of treason from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT).
In a strongly worded communication to the Senate on Tuesday, May 27, Snowe said the government’s claim that he is plotting to destabilize the Boakai administration through his ECOWAS influence is both false and dangerous.
“The government, through MICAT, has accused me of treason—an extremely serious charge under our Constitution,” Snowe stated. “Treason is punishable by death or life imprisonment. This is not politics; this is a threat to my life.”
The accusation stemmed from a May 24 MICAT statement, which alleged that Snowe, a former Speaker of the House and current Chair of ECOWAS’ Committee on Security and Conflict Resolution, vowed to make Liberia ungovernable, discourage foreign investment, and ensure the administration’s failure until he becomes president.
Snowe denied the allegation outright, saying his past remarks about hoping the current administration would serve only one term were purely political commentary—not an act of treason.
He warned that such reckless statements from government officials could revive dark chapters of Liberia’s past, when political opponents were persecuted or killed under the guise of national security.
Since the accusation, Snowe said he and his family—particularly his 90-year-old mother—have received threats, which have taken a toll on her health. He disclosed that her blood pressure has risen due to the stress, placing her at serious medical risk.
“My life is under threat, Mr. Vice President,” Snowe told the Senate. “This is no longer about political disagreements. This is about my personal safety.”
He also revealed that foreign diplomats have contacted him to verify whether he is indeed involved in any anti-government plot—suggesting the allegation has sparked international concern.
Calling for protection and justice, Snowe urged the Senate to launch an independent investigation. He proposed two outcomes: if he is found guilty, he should be prosecuted; but if innocent, MICAT must publicly retract the allegation and apologize.
“If I’m guilty, I’ll face the law. But if not, MICAT must take responsibility for this dangerous lie,” he said.
In response, Senate President Jeremiah Koung assured Snowe that his rights and safety are protected under the Constitution and urged all government officials to avoid inflammatory public statements.
The Senate has referred Snowe’s communication to its Joint Committee on the Judiciary and Executive, which is expected to investigate and report within two weeks.
Snowe also dismissed MICAT’s claim of having “intelligence” on his alleged plot, calling it an empty excuse often used to justify political witch hunts.
“In Liberia, people say they have ‘intelligence’ just to spread lies,” he said.
He added that he has formally alerted ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations about what he described as a dangerous trend of political intimidation in Liberia.
“This is no longer just about me,” Snowe concluded. “It’s about protecting our democratic space.”
