Early today, a significant disturbance unfolded at the Capitol Building, home to Liberia’s national legislature, as dozens of Executive Protective Service (EPS) officers marched to express their grievances regarding unpaid salaries. The officers, who previously served under the administration of President George Weah, are now facing challenges following the recent takeover by President Joe Boakai.
Since assuming office, President Boakai has initiated widespread dismissals of civil servants employed during the Weah administration, including EPS officers. This mass dismissal has led to mounting tensions and frustrations among the affected personnel, who have repeatedly protested their situation without resolution.
In a bid to seek support from lawmakers, the dismissed EPS officers gathered at the Capitol Building today, hoping to urge the Boakai government to address their unpaid wages. However, the situation escalated when an altercation broke out involving an assigned security personnel connected to House Speaker Fonati Koffa. Eyewitnesses reported that the security officer allegedly attempted to intimidate the protesting EPS officers, leading to a chaotic scene and the disarming of one of Speaker Koffa’s guards.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential for a broader crisis, as fears grow surrounding the implications of failing to compensate former presidential security personnel. The ongoing unrest highlights the urgent need for dialogue between the dismissed officers and the current administration to prevent further escalation and ensure stability within the nation’s security framework.