MONROVIA, Liberia — Former President George Weah has sharply criticized the arrest and prosecution of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, describing the move as politically motivated and a sign of what he called “democratic decline” under the administration of President Joseph Boakai. He also warned that he would return to Liberia to mobilize resistance against the government through political and legal means.
Weah, who now serves as political leader of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), made the remarks following the formal charges brought against Howard-Taylor in a major drug trafficking and money laundering investigation.
Weah Condemns Arrest, Alleges Rights Violations
In a strongly worded statement, Weah said the developments surrounding Howard-Taylor’s arrest reflect what he described as the “continuous use of extrajudicial powers” by the Boakai administration to target political opponents.
“What we all witnessed today has further revealed the extent of our democratic decline in the last few years,” Weah said, accusing the government of undermining constitutional rights and due process.
He further alleged that Howard-Taylor was unlawfully prevented from traveling and subsequently detained without proper notice, describing the actions as a violation of her constitutional right to free movement.
Weah said he had spoken directly with the former Vice President, who, according to him, “vehemently, strenuously and categorically denied” all allegations against her.
Allegations of Political Motivation
The former president also criticized the Justice Ministry’s public statement announcing the charges, arguing that it contained “blanket accusations” without sufficient explanation of the evidence.
He linked the case to two major cocaine seizures in Liberia, valued at nearly half a billion U.S. dollars, and claimed that the current administration was attempting to associate the discoveries with the previous government while shielding its own officials.
“Rather than treating the investigation with the diligence and urgency it deserves, the government has instead sought to fabricate and concoct connections,” Weah said, alleging selective accountability.
Warning of Political Resistance
Weah further stated that he has been engaging regional and continental leaders over what he described as a deterioration of the rule of law in Liberia.
He warned that upon his return to the country, he would mobilize CDC supporters and “all well-meaning Liberians” to resist what he called an attempt to undermine democracy.
“Despite a peaceful democratic transition, President Boakai seeks to rule as a tyrant. This we must all resist,” Weah said, adding that any resistance would be carried out through “all political and legal means guaranteed under the constitution.”
Government Charges Former Vice President
Weah’s comments come as former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor faces multiple criminal charges, including alleged drug trafficking, money laundering, unlicensed importation of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, and criminal solicitation.
The charges were announced by Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network linked to a major cocaine seizure in Liberia.
Authorities say the case is connected to a shipment of cocaine valued at approximately US$317 million, involving nearly four metric tons of the drug allegedly destined for Europe, according to international reporting.
Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said Howard-Taylor remains in custody at Monrovia Central Prison pending court proceedings, adding that investigators believe they have substantial evidence linking her to the case.
She was reportedly arrested at Roberts International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
Case Still Before the Courts
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the full evidence supporting the charges, and Howard-Taylor has not yet been tried in court. She is presumed innocent under Liberian law until proven guilty.
Howard-Taylor served as Vice President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024 under former President George Weah.
Her legal team has not yet issued a detailed public response to the charges at the time of reporting.
