A storm is brewing within the ranks of the ruling Unity Party (UP) as young partisans from its Alliance bloc have broken their silence, accusing the Boakai-led administration of betrayal and marginalization.
In a powerful open letter titled “The Unity Party We Once Knew: A Betrayal of Its Youthful Vanguard,” youth leader Lasana S. Kanneh delivered a sharp rebuke to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Unity Party leadership. The message: the young campaigners who helped secure Boakai’s 2023 presidential victory are now being sidelined, neglected, and disrespected.
From Political Warriors to Political Orphans
Kanneh, a known grassroots mobilizer and staunch supporter of the Unity Party Alliance, laments what he describes as a complete disregard for the sacrifices made by the party’s youth. “We, the young foot soldiers, stood firm in the face of daunting odds… Our resolve was unshakeable, our purpose clear,” the letter states.
Now, he says, these very youth have been cast aside in favor of former opponents. “Instead of honor, we are met with indifference; instead of empowerment, we are treated as outcasts,” Kanneh wrote.
A Pattern of Silence and Broken Promises
According to Kanneh, repeated efforts by youth leaders to engage the party have yielded nothing but silence, broken timelines, and unmet expectations. He describes a painful transition from political activism to unemployment and public ridicule, as those once hailed as “heroes of the campaign” now face abandonment.
“Calls go unanswered, messages ignored, and promises unfulfilled,” the letter reads. “The Unity Party we once knew seems to have lost its soul.”
Kanneh also criticized what he called the party’s preferential treatment of individuals who once worked to undermine Boakai’s campaign. He alleged that former CDC loyalists are being rewarded with jobs and influence, while loyal UP partisans remain jobless and overlooked.
A Warning to the Party
The tone of the letter escalates into a stern warning: that continued neglect could fracture the very foundation of the Unity Party. “Our restraint should not be mistaken for weakness, nor our silence for complicity,” Kanneh cautioned. “We will rise, as we always have, to reclaim our destiny.”
He added that unless the ruling establishment reverses course and honors its youth, it risks losing the trust and energy of the very movement that propelled it into office.
Political Ripples
The letter is already sending ripples through Liberia’s political landscape, igniting debate over the administration’s inclusiveness and commitment to its campaign promises. While President Boakai has emphasized reconciliation and national unity since taking office, Kanneh’s remarks challenge the sincerity of that message, especially among the party’s youngest supporters.
As of Sunday evening, there has been no formal response from the Unity Party or the Executive Mansion.
Observers warn that if the grievances go unaddressed, the Unity Party could face internal divisions that may threaten its long-term stability, particularly ahead of local elections and mid-term political realignments.
The message from the youth is clear: “Empower us, employ us, and honor us, not as a favor, but as a duty.”
