UL Vanguard Student Unification Party Demands Immediate Resignation of UL President Amid Rising Tensions with Police
By Myean D. Torgbean
The Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) at the University of Liberia has called for the immediate resignation of UL President, Dr. Layli Maparyan, citing what they describe as poor leadership and disregard for the welfare of students.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia on Monday, SUP leaders accused Dr. Maparyan of failing to address key issues affecting students, including tuition challenges, the alleged militarization of the campus, and growing tensions between students and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
According to SUP, the university administration has “lost touch with the realities confronting students” and continues to employ measures that suppress student voices rather than address their concerns. The group specifically condemned the deployment of armed police officers around the Capitol Hill and Fendall campuses, a move they claim has created an atmosphere of fear andu intimidation.
“We can no longer tolerate a president who is more accountable to politicians than to the students he was appointed to serve,” SUP stated in their release. “Dr. Maparyan has failed the student community, and his resignation is the only option to restore sanity at the University of Liberia.”
Tensions between students and security forces have escalated in recent weeks, with reports of clashes during protests over tuition policies and campus restrictions. Some students claim the presence of police officers has led to harassment and unnecessary confrontations, further fueling unrest.
When contacted for comments, the UL administration did not immediately respond. However, university officials in the past have defended their actions, arguing that the police presence is necessary to maintain order and prevent violence on campus.
Meanwhile, SUP has vowed to continue its campaign until their demands are met, threatening sustained demonstrations if Maparyan does not step down.
The situation has raised concerns among civil society actors and education stakeholders, who warn that continued standoff between students and authorities could disrupt academic activities at Liberia’s flagship university.
