Public concern is mounting over the deafening silence of the University of Liberia (UL) in the wake of a relentless wave of violence perpetrated by individuals believed to be militants of the campus based Student Unification Party (SUP).
The latest incident, a brazen act of vandalism, occurred at the headquarters of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), where individuals clad in SUP paraphernalia were seen on camera wreaking havoc, destroying property, and brandishing deadly weapons under the guise of a protest.
This lawless display, coupled with a history of unchecked violence, has sparked public outrage, with critics condemning it as an act of domestic terrorism.
While others have publicly condemned SUP’s vandalism of the LFA Headquarters and its repeated disruptions at the football house, the University of Liberia’s administration has yet to issue a single statement denouncing the group’s actions.
The destruction of the LFA headquarters and the subsequent arrest of several University of Liberia students, to include Stephen Brown, Momo Buttel, Christian Bryant, and Obadiah Jallah, has further escalated concerns about the unchecked rise of student-led anarchy. These individuals now face a litany of charges, including criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, rioting, aggravated assault, and destruction of property. Yet, despite the gravity of these offences, UL’s administration has remained conspicuously silent, failing to enforce a disciplinary action against the accused.
This inaction has ignited widespread frustration among citizens, including SUP’s veterans, some of whom have expressed shock and indignation over the lawlessness displayed by SUP. Many are now demanding that the University’s President Dr. Layli Maparyan takes decisive and immediate action.
In a recent letter addressed to the university, a political-based group expressed grave concerns about the UL’s failure to discipline the perpetrators. The group accused the University of Liberia of fostering a culture of impunity by allowing students to engage in unchecked violence.
The group urged Dr. Maparyan to expel the perpetrators immediately and enforce UL’s regulations against hooliganism. The group denounced the attack as a “terroristic act”, terming it as a coordinated act of violence, and warned that tolerating such behavior sets a dangerous precedent for the university and the nation at large.
UL’s failure to take swift disciplinary action raises troubling questions about its commitment to upholding its own policies. The University’s Student Handbook explicitly prohibits gangsterism and outlines strict disciplinary measures for violent conduct. Yet, by choosing silence, thr University of Liberia appears to be undermining its own authority and emboldening further unrest.
Some observers have argued that UL is deliberately avoiding confrontation with SUP due to the party’s long-standing history of student activism. Others believe that political pressures are preventing the UL from holding the perpetrators accountable. Regardless of the reasons, UL’s inaction is being interpreted as a sign of administrative weakness and a gross failure of leadership.
FIFA and International Football Authorities Are Watching:
Beyond the local outrage, international football governing bodies, including FIFA and CAF, are closely monitoring the escalating situation at the Liberia Football Association headquarters.
The LFA headquarters, one of FIFA’s sponsored legacy projects in Liberia, it is one of the latest infrastructure accomplishments of the Mustapha I. Raji’s leadership pillar and this development is the first of its kind since the FA’s establishment in 1936. The facility, built and maintained through FIFA funding, represents a critical investment in Liberian football infrastructure.
Repeated politically motivated protests and vandalism targeting football properties have now drawn international attention, raising concerns that Liberia’s football development could suffer dire consequences if these acts of lawlessness persist. FIFA and CAF do not tolerate political interference in football affairs, and continued disruptions at the LFA could prompt sanctions, funding cuts, or even international bans, further damaging Liberia’s footballing reputation.
What’s Next For The UL?
With mounting pressure from political and civil groups, Dr. Maparyan faces a defining moment in her leadership. She must now choose between: taking decisive action to restore discipline and prevent further anarchy or remain silent, thereby allowing UL’s reputation to deteriorate and emboldening future lawlessness.
Also, the public is watching closely. If the UL fails to act, it risks tarnishing its legacy as a premier academic institution and eroding public trust. The longer this crisis drags on, the higher the likelihood of a counter-protest or retaliatory violence, a scenario that could plunge the UL campus into deeper chaos.
Should the University continue to turn a blind eye to SUP’s unchecked violence, the time has come that we demand the international community, including the U.S. Embassy, the United Nations, the European Union, ECOWAS, and the African Union, to denounce SUP’s action as a way of preventing further destabilization of Liberia’s fragile peace and hold those behind their action accountable.
The clock is ticking, and Dr. Maparyan’s next move will determine whether UL reclaims its integrity or succumbs to the forces of disorder led by SUP.
I REST MY CASE!!!!
Write: D. Webster Cassell
Former Secretary General
Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL)