A tense standoff unfolded Friday afternoon at the headquarters of the STAND movement in Monrovia, where leaders of the group accused the Liberian government of orchestrating an act of political intimidation after armed police officers were deployed to the premises without explanation.
According to STAND, the incident occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. when a police patrol vehicle carrying armed officers arrived near their offices. Eyewitnesses and group members say the situation became suspicious when the officers allegedly attempted to flee the area upon the arrival of a prominent STAND figure. A smaller number of police remained behind until the patrol unit reportedly returned to retrieve them.
In a strongly worded statement released hours after the encounter, STAND condemned the police action as a “calculated attempt to instill fear, harm, and crush dissent,” directly accusing the administration of President Joseph Boakai of misusing state security apparatus to intimidate opposition forces.
“This is not law enforcement; it is provocation,” the group said in its statement. “We remain committed to peaceful resistance, but we will not be silenced.”
The movement further alleged a broader campaign of harassment, citing what it describes as repeated late-night surveillance by unknown vehicles and individuals believed to be armed. These ongoing activities, according to STAND, have created an atmosphere of fear among its members and supporters.
Friday’s police presence, though brief, has raised concern among political observers and civil society advocates, with STAND urging local media and rights organizations to independently investigate the matter. The group has called on residents and business owners in the area to come forward with any information or footage related to the incident.
STAND also invoked the legacy of its grassroots activism, pointing to the “July Revolution” as a symbol of its enduring resistance and commitment to what it calls “the fight against tyranny, no matter the administration.”
As of Saturday morning, the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police had not issued any official response or clarification regarding the police presence at the STAND office. The motive for the deployment remains unclear.
The incident adds to mounting political tension in the country, with opposition groups increasingly accusing the Boakai government of backsliding on democratic commitments made during the 2023 election campaign.
