Monrovia, August 24, 2025 – Liberia’s political climate turned tense over the weekend after security forces demolished the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) headquarters in Congo Town. The action, carried out under a court eviction order, has drawn sharp criticism from former President George Weah, who accused the Unity Party-led government of abusing power but at the same time urged his supporters to remain calm.
The demolition took place on Saturday, August 23, when sheriffs from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, backed by the Liberia National Police (LNP), moved onto the CDC compound with heavy machinery. Perimeter fences, gates, and parts of the Muna E. Pelham Vocational School located on the premises were torn down in the process.
Authorities said the operation followed a court ruling in a long-standing ownership dispute between the CDC and the estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard. The CDC, however, argued that it had already filed an appeal before the Supreme Court and secured bonds, making the demolition premature.
In his statement, former President Weah described the event as “a gross disregard for the rule of law” and “a partisan act” orchestrated by President Joseph Boakai’s government. He alleged that the ruling Unity Party was intent on erasing the CDC through intimidation and misuse of state security forces.
Despite his strong criticism, Weah called on CDC partisans to remain law-abiding. “We must take the high road,” he said. “Our strength does not lie in bricks and mortar but in the resilience of our people. We shall overcome and rebuild.”
Weah announced the creation of a Special National Headquarters Delivery Committee that will immediately begin plans to construct a modern new party headquarters. He stressed that the setback was temporary and that the CDC would emerge stronger from the ordeal.
The property dispute has been ongoing for months, with the CDC claiming it had been granted the right of first refusal to purchase the land. Without a stay order from the court, however, the eviction went ahead. Even some CDC lawmakers acknowledged the legality of the enforcement, though they questioned the timing and its political impact.
The government has defended the demolition as the execution of a lawful court mandate. Police officials maintained that they acted strictly under judicial instructions and dismissed allegations of political interference. Two officers, however, were reportedly disciplined for misconduct during the operation.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions among Liberians. While CDC supporters see it as an attempt to silence the opposition, many ordinary citizens worry that it could deepen political divisions and threaten Liberia’s fragile peace. Civil society groups have urged both sides to exercise restraint.
With the case still pending before the Supreme Court, the political implications of the demolition remain far-reaching. For Weah and his CDC, the loss of their headquarters is being cast not as a defeat but as a rallying point to show resilience ahead of the next electoral season.
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