The Liberia National Students’ Union (LINSU) and the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) have both strongly condemned the violent altercation among some personnel of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) that occurred on February 26, 2025, at the SD Cooper Road Junction in Paynesville.
The incident, which allegedly saw Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers attacking police officers in retaliation for a prior altercation, has sparked national concerns, with both organizations calling for an immediate investigation and accountability.
LINSU, the voice of Liberia’s student community, described the confrontation as an alarming display of indiscipline and a serious threat to Liberia’s peace and stability.
The student union emphasized that such violence undermines public confidence in the nation’s security institutions and destabilizes an already fragile peace.
“This deeply troubling incident not only erodes public confidence in our security institutions but also provokes national security instability,” LINSU’s statement read.
LINSU further stressed that Liberia is at a critical juncture in its democratic and economic recovery, particularly amid a foreign aid freeze. “It is unacceptable for those entrusted with our national security to engage in such lawless behavior,” the union added, calling for the swift intervention of the Commander-in-Chief (CIC) of the AFL and an impartial investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, FLY, the leading youth organization in Liberia, expressed similar concerns over the incident. FLY condemned the violent clash, describing it as “disturbing” and counterproductive to Liberia’s hard-earned peace. The organization called for prompt, impartial investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice. “It is crucial that Liberia’s security institutions uphold professionalism, discipline, and compliance with the law,” FLY’s statement noted.
Both LINSU and FLY emphasized that the AFL and LNP must exemplify unity and discipline, as their primary mandate is to protect and serve, not engage in inter-agency conflicts that put citizens at risk. The student union and the youth federation called for enhanced coordination and continuous professional training within the security sector to prevent future incidents.
In addition to condemning the violence between the AFL and LNP, FLY also addressed concerns over the recent ban on motorcyclists imposed by the LNP.
FLY acknowledged the need for social safety but also stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.
The organization appealed to all stakeholders, including the government and the Supreme Motorcycle Transport Union of Liberia (SUMTUL), to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve the issue in a manner that considers the livelihood of youth who rely on commercial motorcycling for income.
On a more positive note, FLY commended President Joseph Boakai for launching the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Short-Term Youth Empowerment Project.
FLY expressed hope that the initiative would provide much-needed employment opportunities for young Liberians and reduce youth unemployment.
The organization also lauded the government’s efforts to invest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy.
Both organizations called on the government to work closely with youth groups, civil society actors, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that youth-related policies are effective and impactful.
LINSU and FLY reiterated their commitment to advocating for peace, national unity, and sustainable development in Liberia.
“We must work collectively, in the spirit of patriotism and national unity, to advance the progress of our beloved Liberia,” LINSU concluded, while FLY added “Peace and stability are the bedrock of economic growth and sustainable development.”
