Liberia’s political landscape was rattled on August 8, 2025 as a heated war of words erupted between Montserrado County Senator Saah H. Joseph and former Montserrado County Representative Hon. Acarous Moses Gray on a local talk show, two high-profile members of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in its formative years. The exchange comes amid Senator Joseph’s dramatic resignation from the CDC, citing deep-seated disillusionment with the party’s leadership and direction. The first salvo came from Hon. Gray, who in a strongly worded statement referred to Senator Joseph as a “political parasite,” asserting: “Saah Joseph is a political parasite. He came to CDC with nothing; he is leaving with nothing.” Hon. Gray, known for his sharp political rhetoric, accused Senator Joseph of turning his back on the party that elevated him to national prominence. His statement has since drawn strong reactions from both CDC loyalists and opposition voices. In a swift and scathing rebuttal, Senator Saah Joseph leveled serious allegations against former President George M. Weah and his inner circle, claiming a culture of corruption and neglect within the administration. The Montserrado Senator disclosed that during President Weah’s six-year tenure, the two men barely communicated despite Joseph serving as Chair of the Executive Committee at the Liberian Senate. “Former President George M. Weah didn’t speak to me for four years during his six-year presidency, even though I was the Chair of the Executive at the Liberian Senate,” Joseph revealed. Joseph went further to allege that high-profile investment opportunities were derailed by demands for massive bribes. “An investor from Israel told me that when he went to Liberia during former President Weah’s regime to invest $100 million, Weah and his guys requested that he pay $30 million before allowing the investment in Liberia,” he said. In another damning claim, Joseph cited a failed US$500 million Bulgarian investment project, approved by the Liberian Senate but later blocked in the House of Representatives. “The former officials of former President Weah's administration destroyed Liberia. Bulgarian investors came to Liberia during Weah’s regime to invest over US$500 million, and the Senate passed the concession. However, Weah and his team requested again that they pay US$10 million before the House of Representatives acts on the concession. The concession didn't pass because the investors refused to pay the bribe.” The Senator further linked the burning of his home to his political rivalry with Mr. Weah, suggesting that his higher vote tally in Montserrado County may have provoked retaliation. Against this backdrop, Senator Saah Joseph formally tendered his resignation from the CDC in a letter addressed to Acting National Chairman Janga Augustus Kowo. “I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign as a member of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), effective immediately. This decision has not been taken lightly, and I appreciate the opportunities I've had to serve our nation through the CDC.” In his letter, Joseph acknowledged the party’s role in shaping modern Liberian politics since its founding in 2005 but expressed disillusionment over its current trajectory. “However, I have come to realize that my vision for Liberia's future and my personal values are no longer aligned with the party's direction,” he stated, adding that he remains committed to serving Montserrado County and Liberia beyond party lines. Political observers note that Senator Joseph’s resignation and the accompanying public spat mark one of the most visible cracks in the CDC’s unity since losing the 2023 presidential elections. The party, once heralded for its grassroots mobilization, has faced growing internal dissent, defections, and public criticism over governance failures. Analysts suggest that the war of words between Gray and Joseph could further erode public confidence in the CDC and expose deeper fractures within its leadership. The sharp exchange also threatens to overshadow the party’s attempts at regrouping ahead of the 2029 elections. As the accusations reverberate through Monrovia’s political corridors, calls have grown for independent investigations into the bribery claims tied to failed foreign investments. Civil society actors argue that such allegations, if proven true, highlight systemic governance failures that have stunted Liberia’s economic progress. While Hon. Acarous Gray has doubled down on his characterization of Joseph as disloyal, Senator Joseph appears poised to reposition himself as an independent political voice. Whether this public rupture will lead to more high-profile resignations from the CDC remains to be seen. The unfolding saga has placed Liberia’s political class under intense public scrutiny, as citizens demand both accountability and a renewed focus on delivering tangible development results.
