MONROVIA – A current assertion by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh, praising Liberia’s macroeconomic stability earlier than the 2023 presidential election, has ignited sharp criticism from officers and supporters of the ruling Unity Occasion (UP). The backlash displays rising pressure throughout the ruling institution over easy methods to assess the efficiency of the earlier Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) authorities.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Senator Konneh, a former Minister of Finance below the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration and a key strategist in President Joseph Boakai’s 2023 marketing campaign, stirred controversy with a social media submit reflecting on the current “Sufficient is Sufficient” anti-government protest in Monrovia. In it, he instructed the Liberian economic system was comparatively steady previous to the election.
“Yesterday could not have been a superb day for the protesters, in line with regime supporters, however I hope our authorities hears their complaints,” he wrote. “We had steady macroeconomics earlier than the 2023 elections. Whereas we’re making regular progress now, instances are nonetheless robust for households.”
Although Konneh didn’t contest below the UP ticket in 2023, he performed a pivotal function within the marketing campaign, main the social gathering’s “struggle room” and being credited for serving to safeguard UP’s slender victory. But, for the reason that new administration took workplace, he has not shied away from public critique.
His remarks sparked swift condemnation from UP loyalists who noticed the remark as a veiled endorsement of the CDC’s financial report. Deputy Minister for Public Affairs on the Ministry of Info and vocal UP supporter, Daniel Sando, accused Konneh of “selective truth-telling.”
“You declare that those that oppose us usually reveal truths supporters may miss, but you’re partaking within the very deception you condemn,” Sando mentioned. “To recommend the economic system was steady below the CDC is a distortion. That administration left behind financial stagnation, corruption, and mismanagement that also have an effect on us right now.”
Konneh Fires Again: “Each Sides Are Lacking the Level”
In response, Senator Konneh doubled down, issuing a follow-up submit with detailed knowledge to help his authentic assertion. He clarified that whereas financial indicators improved in 2022 and 2023, these positive aspects didn’t translate into higher dwelling circumstances for many Liberians—therefore the CDC’s electoral loss.
“My UP allies dislike my bluntness on the 2023 financial indicators,” he mentioned. “They have fun the IMF and AfDB’s current experiences on 2024 and 2025 projections however refuse to acknowledge the inspiration these figures have been constructed on—though voters rejected the CDC for failing to make these positive aspects felt.”
He emphasised that his intent was to not glorify the CDC, however to induce the Boakai administration to be open to criticism.
“I stand by my phrases. We can not intellectualize hardship—not even Adam Smith or Karl Marx might. The federal government should hearken to the folks. Rising costs, a weakening trade fee, ballooning debt, and excessive unemployment might undo the positive aspects we’re making.”
Konneh warned that whereas the Boakai administration has made “regular progress,” Liberia’s economic system is rising too slowly to satisfy the calls for of its fast-growing inhabitants. “At 5.3% development, it’ll take 13 years to double the scale of our economic system. Liberians is not going to wait that lengthy.”
He concluded by posting financial knowledge from 2023 and 2024, urging critics to have interaction in sincere reflection slightly than political point-scoring: “We will politicize these numbers or use them for constructive dialogue. Keep in mind: if you wish to be within the prime 1%, you have to be keen to do what the opposite 99% usually are not.”
CDC’s Tweah Applauds Konneh’s “Trustworthy Politicking”
Amongst these praising Konneh was former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, who served below President George Weah. Tweah described Konneh’s feedback as a “uncommon act of political honesty.”
“You might have stepped up as a pacesetter on this new house,” Tweah mentioned. “It’s an unassailable undeniable fact that the CDC left a strong macroeconomic basis. The UP administration ought to construct upon that as an alternative of denying it.”
He backed his argument with LISGIS knowledge, stating: “From January 2024 to June 2025, costs are 12.48% larger. If one thing value LD$100 below the CDC, it now prices LD$112.48 below the UP. That may be a truth.”
Tweah additional urged the Boakai administration to proceed key CDC initiatives, together with the development of 87 public faculties funded by the World Financial institution and the federal government of Liberia.
“We should now concentrate on high quality schooling. CDC hit some amount milestones; UP ought to tackle the standard problem. That’s how governance alternation may help transfer Liberia ahead.”
Senator Snowe: “Honesty, Not Insults, Ought to Information Us”
Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe additionally weighed in, utilizing the talk to induce reflection and unity. With out taking sides, Snowe emphasised the significance of embracing dissent and respecting differing views.
“In politics, right now’s pal can grow to be tomorrow’s critic. Applause right now could flip into silence tomorrow,” he mentioned. “Senator Konneh’s boldness reminds us that development requires uncomfortable honesty—even inside our personal political households.”
He additionally recommended Tweah for acknowledging Konneh’s level, regardless of political variations. “That’s the Liberia we’d like—the place concepts, not insults, lead the dialog.”
To younger folks following the talk, Snowe provided recommendation: “Watch out the way you deal with others in your manner up. Don’t construct your future on grudges. Let’s not enable partisanship to blind us from the larger image: Liberia is all we’ve.”
Greater Questions Forward
The controversy underscores deeper divisions throughout the ruling institution, simply because the Boakai administration heading to its second yr. At its core is a broader query: Was Konneh’s assertion an overdue actuality test for the administration—or an unintentional enhance to the legacy of its predecessor?
As financial hardship persists and public discontent grows, the talk is way from over. However one factor is evident: sincere conversations about Liberia’s financial future—nevertheless uncomfortable—could also be precisely what the nation wants.
