A coalition of Liberian citizens, identifying themselves as Concerned Citizens of Liberia, is poised to launch protests against the government, citing widespread injustices and the alleged brutality inflicted upon a Liberian citizen, Momo Davis, by a Chinese national, Michael Shio, and his accomplices. The group alleges that the government, under President Boakai, is shielding foreign nationals and other perpetrators who routinely brutalize Liberians with impunity. They demand immediate action and justice for the victim, threatening widespread protests if their demands are not met. The incident, which allegedly occurred on January 13, 2025, at Shio’s residence in Monrovia, involved the torture, chasing, burning with hot oil, and severe beating of Davis for reasons yet unknown.
The Concerned Citizens of Liberia, through their spokesperson Alpha Gray, condemn the government’s inaction, highlighting the irony of a president elected on a platform of social justice and protection of citizens, presiding over such an egregious violation of human rights. Allowing a foreign national to commit such acts on Liberian soil, they argue, is not only a disgrace but a profound betrayal of the government’s promises. The brutality against Davis, Gray emphasizes, is emblematic of a broader pattern of injustice and violence against Liberians, a pattern they allege the government is complicit in by failing to hold perpetrators accountable. They assert that allowing this incident to go unpunished will embolden further acts of violence and create a climate of fear and insecurity for all Liberians.
The group’s primary demand is the apprehension and prosecution of Michael Shio and his accomplices. Their current whereabouts are unknown, raising concerns that they may escape justice. The Concerned Citizens warn that such an outcome would send a dangerous message to the world: that Liberia is a haven for impunity, where foreign nationals can commit violent crimes against citizens without consequences. This, they argue, would further undermine the rule of law and expose Liberians to greater vulnerability. The group calls upon the Liberia National Police to launch a comprehensive manhunt for the accused and bring them to justice swiftly.
The spokesperson, Alpha Gray, frames the attack on Davis not as an isolated incident but as a symptom of systemic failures within the Liberian government. He criticizes the “deafening silence” of the police and judiciary, suggesting a deliberate attempt to sweep the matter under the rug. This inaction, he argues, not only emboldens criminals but also signals to the world that Liberia tolerates violence against its own citizens. He appeals to the conscience of all Liberians, urging them to recognize the attack on Davis as an attack on all of them. He calls for national solidarity with victims of violence and injustice, demanding that the government uphold its responsibility to protect its citizens.
The Concerned Citizens of Liberia emphasize the urgency of the situation, warning that the government’s response to this incident will serve as a litmus test for its commitment to justice and the protection of its citizens. Failure to act decisively, they reiterate, will result in widespread protests aimed at holding the government accountable for its inaction and demanding an end to the pervasive climate of impunity. They insist that the pain inflicted upon Momo Davis is a shared sorrow that resonates across the nation, and that silence in the face of such injustice is complicity. Their call to action seeks to galvanize public outrage and pressure the government to fulfill its fundamental duty to protect its citizens from violence and ensure justice for all.
The group’s planned protests, therefore, are framed not merely as a response to a single incident of brutality, but as a broader expression of frustration and anger at the perceived failures of the Boakai administration to address systemic issues of injustice, violence, and impunity. The incident involving Momo Davis and Michael Shio serves as a focal point for these grievances, highlighting the vulnerability of Liberian citizens and the government’s alleged complicity in perpetuating a culture of violence. The Concerned Citizens of Liberia demand not just justice for Davis but a fundamental shift in the government’s approach to protecting its citizens and upholding the rule of law. They believe that the future stability and security of Liberia hinge on the government’s response to this crisis.
