By Stephanie M. Duncan
Monrovia-The streets of central Monrovia turned green again Thursday as supporters of the ruling Unity Party (UP) flooded Broad Street to commemorate “Green Day” – a direct show of political strength coming just days after rival Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) staged a massive turnout for former President George Weah.
The Unity Party gathering marks three years since the party’s iconic September 17, 2023 campaign rally, when thousands of partisans braved heavy rain and flooded streets to support then candidate Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
This year’s commemoration was announced by the Unity Party immediately after partisans of the opposition CDC thronged the streets and marched to Roberts International Airport to welcome their political leader, Weah, back to the country – prompting public talk of a popularity contest between the two bitter rivals.
According to our reporter on the ground, UP supporters and sympathizers swarmed every nook and corner of Broad Street, dressed in the party’s signature green T-shirts, caps and lappas, dancing, chanting, and blaring music from loudspeakers.
The atmosphere was festive but also deeply political, with speakers hailing the September 17, 2023 rally as the turning point that signaled UP’s return to power.
“Green Day is not just a color, it is a statement that the people stood in the rain for change,” one partisan shouted from a truck-mounted sound system.
The original Green Day rally took place 23 days before the October 10, 2023 general elections.
It saw an unprecedented turnout despite torrential rains, and is credited by Unity Party stalwarts with energizing the base that eventually propelled Joseph Nyuma Boakai to victory over incumbent George Weah in the November 14, 2023 runoff.
Boakai secured 50.89% of the vote, according to the National Elections Commission.
Since then, UP supporters have adopted September 17 as an annual anniversary as part celebration of the 2023 victory, and part show of numerical strength.
The 2026 edition, however, carries added weight. Last week’s CDC showout for Weah’s arrival was widely shared on social media, with CDC claiming it proved the former ruling party still commands massive grassroots support.
The UP’s rapid announcement of Green Day 2026 was seen by many as a counter-move, with political observers saying the back-to-back street actions signal that early positioning for 2029 has begun, with both parties eager to prove who still owns the streets of Monrovia.
As of Thursday afternoon, anniversary activities were still ongoing on Broad Street, with music, speeches, and a carnival-like atmosphere continuing into the evening.
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