LIBERIA: STAND Calls On Lawmakers to Resolve Power Struggle and Focus On Liberian People’s Needs

Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), a prominent grassroots civil society group, has issued a powerful call for the Liberian House of Representatives to end an ongoing leadership dispute that has left the government in gridlock.

 

STAND urged lawmakers to set aside their internal power struggles and prioritize the “bread and butter” issues affecting millions of Liberians.

 

In a statement released Monday, STAND’s chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr., expressed frustration over the legislative impasse, which he described as “self-serving.”

 

According to the organization, Liberians are watching as lawmakers focus on political infighting rather than addressing the pressing needs of the nation.

 

The deadlock within the House, STAND warned, is causing an adverse impact on essential services across Liberia.

 

The impasse, which has delayed critical decision-making, has affected the delivery of healthcare, wage payments for civil servants, and other services that sustain daily life.

 

One of the most immediate concerns, according to STAND, is the healthcare crisis. Hospitals and clinics are running dangerously low on prescription medications, leaving the nation’s most vulnerable citizens—children, the elderly, and the infirm—at increased risk.

 

STAND noted that this breakdown in health services is a direct consequence of government inaction.

 

Furthermore, STAND highlighted that many civil servants have gone months without receiving their salaries.

 

For these public workers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, the lack of income has compounded daily struggles, making it increasingly difficult to provide for their families.

 

Electricity costs have also surged amid the crisis, adding to the strain on Liberian households. Rising energy prices have made it harder for families to afford basic utilities, deepening the financial burden for citizens already stretched thin by other economic challenges.

 

With the holiday season approaching, STAND expressed concern that continued gridlock threatens to disrupt Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, a time traditionally spent in peace and family gatherings.

 

The organization called on lawmakers to ensure Liberians are not denied this cultural reprieve due to political tensions.

 

STAND issued a stark warning, stating that the leadership crisis within the House risks further destabilizing the Liberian government.

 

If left unresolved, the group argued, this gridlock could intensify Liberia’s economic troubles and erode public confidence in the government.

 

While endorsing citizens’ right to protest, STAND emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations.

 

The organization called on the government to ensure the safety of those who choose to exercise their right to public assembly, advocating for a balanced approach that respects free expression without compromising public order.

 

STAND’s statement also reminded lawmakers of their constitutional duty to serve the people.

 

The organization stressed that elected officials should hold themselves to high standards of accountability and governance, just as they expect from ordinary Liberians.

 

In an effort to encourage constructive engagement, STAND urged both sides of the legislative divide to enter into meaningful dialogue.

 

The group expressed support for mediation efforts by the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), the Liberian Senate, and other peace-focused organizations.

 

The organization welcomed a recent decision by Liberia’s Supreme Court, which called on lawmakers to respect the constitution and follow proper procedures to resolve the stalemate.

 

STAND believes this legal intervention could provide a framework to guide the House toward a resolution.

 

In its closing remarks, STAND reiterated its neutrality, emphasizing that it supports neither side in the dispute but stands firmly with the Liberian people. The organization said its only allegiance is to the welfare of the nation’s citizens.

 

“The mandate is simple,” Morlu stated. “Put an end to this power struggle and prioritize the welfare of the masses, especially as the holiday season approaches.

 

The people deserve a House of Representatives that will work for their needs, not one consumed by selfish internal battles.”

 

As the stalemate continues, STAND’s statement serves as a reminder of the urgent need for government action to alleviate the daily struggles of the Liberian people.

 

The organization’s call resonates with citizens who, amid rising costs and dwindling services, are in dire need of a functioning and committed government.