Monrovia, May 18 -- With less than two months to the July 17 protest, tensions continue to mount amid accusations from the civil society organization STAND and its chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, of growing repression by the Unity Party-led administration.

The controversy centers on an incident on Friday, May 17, when armed police officers were reportedly seen outside STAND's headquarters in Paynesville. According to the group, a police patrol vehicle with armed personnel arrived at approximately 1:50 p.m., but quickly departed following the arrival of a senior STAND official. A few officers who remained were later picked up discreetly.

In a statement issued shortly after, STAND described the incident as a "calculated attempt to instill fear...