-CDC’S Kowo Says of Independence Day
In a detailed statement on Sunday, 2026 July 26, Independence Day, the National Chairman of Liberia’s main opposition political party, Congress for Democratic Change, CDC, Attorney Jangar Kowo, said it would have been much better for Liberians to have observed this year’s Independence Day anniversary with ‘sober reflection’ rather than celebrate.
Quoted by the statement, Mr. Kowo observed that Liberia is backsliding democratically, weakening state institutions and growing insecurity, warning that democracy under the current regime faces unprecedented threat.
Speaking on the recent seizure of a huge quantity of cocaine at the Roberts International Airport, Kowo called for an independent investigations into alleged international drug cartel activities and the leadership of the nation’s security institutions.
The statement comes amid heightened political tensions following weeks of public debate over alleged international drug trafficking networks in the wake of a viral video purportedly linked to an international cartel.
Kowo has also accused the National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) of complicity in the operations of the cartels.
The CDC National Chairman said the Boakai administration has allowed democratic institutions to deteriorate, alleging an increasing concentration of political power, the weakening of judicial independence, selective application of the rule of law, and what he described as growing intolerance toward dissenting voices.
“The possibility of Liberia drifting toward a de facto one-party state must concern every citizen, regardless of political affiliation,” Kowo noted on behalf of the opposition party.
Beyond its criticism of governance, the CDC devoted significant attention to what it described as an emerging national security crisis involving alleged international narcotics trafficking.
The opposition called for an urgent, transparent, independent, and internationally supported investigation into reports suggesting that international drug cartels may have established operational networks within Liberia.
The statement also raises fresh questions about recent developments within Liberia’s security sector.
The CDC called for an official explanation regarding reports that Johnny Bollar Dean and several former senior police officers, who were previously dismissed during former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration over alleged misconduct, were reinstated under the leadership of Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman.
According to the CDC, if such an arrangement exists outside the legal framework establishing the LDEA’s independence, it could raise serious constitutional, institutional, and national security concerns requiring immediate investigation.
The statement insists that all allegations involving drug trafficking, institutional misconduct, or abuse of public office must be investigated “without fear, favor, political interference, or protection for powerful individuals.”
While the statement contains serious allegations and concerns, many of the claims, including assertions regarding democratic erosion, alleged operational control of the LDEA by the LNP, the reported reinstatement of dismissed police officers, and alleged international drug cartel activities, remain political assertions by the opposition and have not been independently verified. The Boakai administration and relevant security institutions have previously rejected allegations of complicity in narcotics trafficking and have maintained that ongoing investigations are being conducted in accordance with the law.
