On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Unity Party, Liberia’s ruling political party, held its much-publicized homecoming rally. The event, marked by vibrant colors and passionate speeches, drew thousands of loyal supporters from across the country.
For many, the gathering was not just a show of solidarity but a reaffirmation of their unwavering commitment to the party that they believe holds the keys to national progress.
Yet beneath the surface celebration, a critical question looms: Have Liberia’s political parties, especially the Unity Party, truly improved the lives of their most loyal followers, or have the lives of their elected and appointed officials improved?
Year after year, Liberians invest their time, resources, and hope into political movements, often at great personal cost. The Unity Party’s rally was a testament to this devotion, with many supporters traveling long distances, sometimes at their own expense, to participate.
These individuals endure economic hardships with little to no compensation for their sacrifices. For many, promises of jobs, development, and support remain unfulfilled, as daily realities are marked by unemployment, rising living costs, and limited access to basic services.
In contrast, the lives of their elected and appointed officials are catapulted from grass to grace, from being near homeless to a luxurious lifestyle in just two years.
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has been outspoken in its criticism of the prevailing political culture. At the heart of CENTAL’s concerns is the recurring failure of parties to uphold their promises to grassroots supporters.
CENTAL’s recent statements emphasize that political parties must move beyond rhetoric and prioritize concrete improvements in their constituents’ lives. The group urges the Unity Party and others to establish mechanisms for accountability, ensure fair distribution of opportunities, and address the economic challenges facing their followers. Without such measures, CENTAL warns, parties risk alienating the very people who form the backbone of their movements.
Interestingly, there has been a pattern of neglect. The disappointments faced by Unity Party supporters are not isolated incidents. Across Liberia, a pattern has emerged in which political parties mobilize citizens during election cycles, only to neglect their welfare once in power.
Partisans of the immediate past Coalition for Democratic Change, or CDC, suffered a similar fate. Supporters are courted with pledges of empowerment, but many find these promises evaporate after the votes are counted.
This cycle of neglect undermines trust in the political system and perpetuates economic hardship. It also weakens the foundation of democratic engagement, as citizens become increasingly skeptical of the parties they once supported. The Unity Party’s recent rally, while a spectacle of loyalty, underscores the urgent need for a shift in how parties relate to their base.
Liberia’s political future depends not just on winning elections, but on creating genuine improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. Political parties, and especially those in power like the Unity Party, must show greater commitment to the welfare and empowerment of their supporters. This means delivering on promises, investing in economic opportunities, and ensuring that loyalists are not left behind after campaign season ends.
There must be a renewed focus on accountability, transparency, and inclusive development. By listening to supporters, responding to their needs, and implementing policies that address real economic challenges, parties can rebuild trust and foster a more equitable society.
As CENTAL and other watchdogs have made clear, the time for empty rhetoric has passed; Liberia’s political leaders must act decisively to uplift those who have stood by them through hardship and hope.
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