Anti-Government Protests Engulf Liberia Amid Economic Crisis

A few hours ago, the Liberian police was deployed after at least 3000 Liberians took to the streets of Monrovia in anti-government protests.

Aljazeera reports that the police fired tear gas and water canons on Liberians protesting the country's spiraling economy under the leadership of President George Weah. The protest is the second massive demonstration to take place in less than year.

Initially, the protests were dubbed the "Weah Step Down Campaign" in an effort to force the footballer-turned-president to step down. However, many called the move "undemocratic" and Liberian protesters have since called on President Weah to account for the inflation and corruption plaguing the West African country.

Henry Costa, a protest organizer and the head of a group called the Council of Patriotsdescribed the Weah's government saying, "They have performed dismally and created the worsening economic situation we are in." Costa also added that, "We presented a petition containing demands to the president to address the issue of corruption...bad governance, violation of the constitution - and the president refused to act on any of our demands."

Back in June of last year, Liberians protested for the first time since President Weah took office in 2017. Failing to adequately address an investigation which uncovered the disappearance of millions of dollars, the government then allegedly restricted internet and social media access shortly before the protests took place.

According to The Guardian, President Weah issued a warning to protesting citizens saying that, "If you think you can insult this president and walk in the street freely, it will not happen. And I defy you."