By: Kruah Thompson
The current detention of Mulbah Morlu and several other others following the December 17 protest could sign a more durable posture by the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP) towards road demonstrations.
Whereas the federal government has a accountability to keep up regulation and order, the timing and nature of the detentions elevate considerations in regards to the attainable use of state energy as a instrument of intimidation, one that would discourage future protests and civic engagement.
On Tuesday, December 17, Mulbah Morlu, chairman of the civil society group Solidarity & Belief for a New Day (STAND), led the “Lead or Depart” protest. The demonstrators sought entry to the Govt Mansion grounds to ship and skim a petition addressed to President Joseph Boakai.
Based on police authorities, Morlu was earlier suggested to make sure that the protest was carried out “lawfully and responsibly.” Nonetheless, STAND rejected the restrictions and insisted on utilizing the Govt Mansion grounds, arguing that the placement had been used for protests in 2019 and 2020.
Regardless of the trade, Morlu proceeded with the protest as deliberate regardless of the police refusal.
On the day of the protest, police presence was visibly strengthened, with sizzling water tanks positioned across the Govt Mansion, the place STAND stated it meant to current its petition.
Following their gathering close to the Capitol Constructing, protesters have been unable to current their petition after police denied them entry to the Govt Mansion grounds. As an alternative, they have been confined to an space in entrance of the Capitol.
Whereas on the location, police reportedly instructed protesters that after 4:00 p.m., nobody ought to stay on the streets. Because the deadline approached, officers forcibly eliminated protesters from in entrance of the Capitol Constructing.
Weeks after the occasion, police charged and forwarded to court docket Mulbah Ok. Morlu, chairman of STAND, and Rev. Festus R. B. Logan, the group’s deputy chairman, following their investigations into what they declare was violence linked to the December 17, 2025, protest in Monrovia.
The Liberia Nationwide Police stated the boys face a number of fees, together with prison solicitation, prison conspiracy, rioting, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways and public passages. They additional allege that the protest resulted in incidents of easy assault, prison mischief, theft, and theft of property.
Based on the LNP, the fees are based mostly on alleged violations of Sections 10.3 and 10.4 of Chapter 10, in addition to Sections 17.3 and 17.7 of Chapter 17 of Liberia’s Revised Penal Regulation.
Past the authorized course of, this singular motion could have a broader psychological affect on the inhabitants. Residents and civil society teams might change into hesitant to take part in public demonstrations in the event that they understand a heightened threat of arrest or harassment.
On this context, detention can function a deterrent, undermining constitutionally assured freedoms comparable to the best to peaceable meeting and expression.
The arrests ship a transparent message to opposition leaders and activists that dissent could carry private penalties. Such actions threat reshaping the political setting by limiting open debate and narrowing civic area, notably within the lead-up to vital coverage discussions.
Whereas post-protest detentions could suppress quick demonstrations, additionally they threat eroding public belief in state establishments and weakening social cohesion.
Underneath the Boakai administration, the post-protest detention of Morlu and others could also be interpreted as greater than a routine regulation enforcement motion; it might perform as a refined instrument of intimidation.
