MONROVIA, JULY 18, 2026 – In a dramatic escalation of political tensions following a recent anti-government demonstration, Liberia’s main opposition party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), has leveled grave accusations against Liberia National Police (LNP) Inspector General Gregory Coleman. The CDC claims Coleman masterminded a sophisticated assassination plot targeting STAND Lead Campaigner Mulbah K. Morlu Jr., suggesting a deliberate attempt to silence opposition voices.
The allegations, detailed in a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, July 18, 2026, by the CDC’s National Executive Committee, center on the events surrounding a peaceful protest organized by STAND in Monrovia. The party asserts that the presence of an armed individual within the demonstration was not a random occurrence but a calculated operation designed to eliminate Morlu and other prominent opposition figures.
According to the CDC’s narrative, the armed suspect was part of a “parallel death squad” allegedly operating under the direct command of Inspector General Coleman. This operative, the party claims, posed an imminent and direct threat to Morlu’s life and the safety of other peaceful demonstrators. The situation reportedly reached a critical point when protesters identified and disarmed the individual, thwarting the alleged plot.
Further compounding the CDC’s claims, the party states that following the apprehension of the armed suspect, Inspector General Coleman allegedly reversed his initial stance. The CDC alleges that Coleman had previously accused STAND organizers of distributing weapons to protesters. However, after the armed operative was exposed, the party claims, Coleman instead dispatched heavily armed riot police to Morlu’s residence. Morlu was subsequently arrested after voluntarily surrendering to a court sheriff, a sequence of events the CDC interprets as evidence of a coordinated assassination operation disguised as a legitimate law enforcement action.
"Gregory Coleman cannot plant an armed criminal inside a peaceful political protest, falsely accuse the victims, arrest the intended target, and then escape personal responsibility," the CDC declared in its statement, underscoring the gravity of their allegations. The party insists that this incident is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of alleged state-sponsored persecution against opposition leaders.
To support this assertion, the CDC drew a parallel to an alleged assassination attempt on Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko Jr. in Wrotto Town on March 31, 2026. The CDC similarly blamed Inspector General Coleman for that incident, suggesting a consistent modus operandi by the LNP leadership against political adversaries.
The CDC has explicitly stated that it now holds Inspector General Coleman personally accountable for the safety and well-being of Mulbah Morlu, especially during his current period of state custody. This places immense pressure on the LNP leadership and signals a deep distrust in the security apparatus's ability or willingness to protect opposition figures.
The opposition party also extended its accusations to the highest levels of government, alleging that the Boakai-Koung administration provides the political cover for these alleged operations. The CDC contends that Inspector General Coleman is acting with the explicit authority and protection of the current administration, implying a direct involvement or tacit approval from the executive branch.
In response to these serious allegations, the CDC has put forth a series of demands. They are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mulbah Morlu. Furthermore, they insist on an independent investigation into the alleged infiltration of the STAND protest by an armed operative. Crucially, the CDC demands the immediate dismissal of Inspector General Gregory Coleman and all other officials implicated in what they describe as the assassination plot and subsequent retaliatory actions.
The CDC’s statement also addressed concerns beyond the alleged plot against Morlu, condemning what it termed police brutality against peaceful citizens in the Battery Factory community along the Japan Freeway. The party accused the LNP of employing excessive force against unarmed civilians, drawing a stark contrast between the treatment of peaceful protesters and the government’s perceived inaction on other pressing national security matters.
This contrast was highlighted by the CDC’s critique of the government’s handling of the unresolved US$19 million cocaine seizure case. The party argues that the government’s alleged eagerness to crack down on peaceful opposition activities stands in stark opposition to its perceived lack of aggressive pursuit of suspects in the high-profile drug trafficking case, a matter that has ignited significant national debate and raised questions about corruption and impunity within Liberia.
The CDC issued a stern warning, stating that it will not stand idly by while state security institutions are allegedly weaponized to intimidate political opponents, suppress legitimate dissent, and criminalize the activities of the opposition. This warning signifies a potential for further political mobilization and confrontation if their demands are not met.
"An armed criminal operative inside a peaceful protest is not law enforcement. It is a deadly provocation. The arrest of the intended victim does not erase the crime it exposes the assassination attempt," the CDC asserted, reiterating the core of their accusation and emphasizing their view of the events as a serious transgression against democratic principles and human rights.
As of the time of publication, the Liberia National Police and Inspector General Gregory Coleman had not issued any public response to the CDC’s allegations. The accusations remain solely from the CDC, and as such, they have not been independently verified by Insights Liberia. The unfolding situation, however, points to a deeply polarized political landscape in Liberia, where trust in state institutions is increasingly fragile, and allegations of political persecution are becoming a recurring theme.
The implications of these accusations are significant for Liberia’s governance and its pursuit of democratic stability. If proven true, they suggest a disturbing trend of state institutions being used to suppress political opposition, undermining the rule of law and potentially jeopardizing the country’s democratic progress. In a region still grappling with democratic backsliding and political instability in some member states, such accusations, whether substantiated or not, can fuel mistrust and further destabilize the delicate political equilibrium within Liberia and the broader ECOWAS sub-region. The international community and regional bodies will be watching closely as this situation develops, as the integrity of Liberia’s security apparatus and its commitment to democratic principles are under scrutiny.
The context for such accusations is Liberia’s history of political fragility and the ongoing struggle to consolidate democratic governance post-civil war. The presidency of Joseph Boakai, still in its early stages, faces immediate challenges in managing political dissent and demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability. The LNP, as the primary law enforcement agency, plays a crucial role in maintaining public order and upholding citizens’ rights. Allegations of its leadership orchestrating political violence or assassinations, if validated, would represent a profound crisis of governance and a significant setback for the country’s democratic aspirations.
The economic implications, while indirect, are also noteworthy. Political instability and a perception of authoritarianism can deter foreign investment and impact domestic economic confidence. Liberia’s economy, heavily reliant on foreign aid and struggling to diversify beyond traditional sectors like mining and agriculture, cannot afford sustained political turmoil. The unresolved US$19 million cocaine seizure case, for instance, points to deep-seated issues of corruption and illicit finance that divert resources and erode public trust, further complicating the economic outlook.
The CDC, as a major opposition force, plays a vital role in Liberia’s nascent democracy by holding the ruling party accountable. However, the nature of these accusations, involving alleged direct involvement of the LNP leadership in a plot against a prominent opposition figure, raises the stakes considerably. The coming days will likely see further political maneuvering, public statements, and potentially increased activism from both sides as the nation awaits a response from the accused and seeks clarity on the events that transpired.
