MONROVIA — Just days before Liberia’s planned July 17 “Lead or Leave” protest, police have arrested Foday N. Massaquoi, one of the protest’s leading organizers and a prominent opposition figure, in a move that is likely to heighten political tensions ahead of the nationwide demonstration. Reports indicate that Massaquoi was taken into police custody while leaving a local radio in Monrovia.
Massaquoi has emerged as one of the key public mobilizers behind the “Lead or Leave” campaign, working alongside organizers from the July 17 Protest Coalition to rally Liberians around demands for improved governance, accountability, economic reforms, and action on corruption. The coalition has repeatedly maintained that the July 17 event is intended to be a peaceful, constitutional protest. Government officials have also publicly acknowledged the planned demonstration and called on organizers to coordinate security arrangements with state authorities.
The arrest comes at a sensitive moment as thousands of Liberians are expected to participate in the demonstration. Opposition figures have previously warned that detentions of protest leaders could be viewed as attempts to intimidate or discourage participation, while authorities have maintained that security measures are intended to preserve public order.
The July 17 protest is expected to be one of the largest public demonstrations since President Joseph Boakai assumed office, with organizers insisting the event will proceed despite the arrest of senior members of the movement.
Secretary General Togar Alexander Bealded called the government’s action a dictatorial clampdown on dissent and requested that Foday should be freed immediately.
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