Monrovia, Dec. 29 -- Former President George Weah has criticized the Boakai-Koung-led government's handling of public protests, warning that democracy cannot be preserved through intimidation, mass police deployment, or the suppression of dissenting voices.

Delivering his end of the year message at the Forky Klohn Jlaleh Family Fellowship Church, Weah said he remains committed to democratic principles, especially the constitutional right of citizens to protest.

"As a true leader, I believe in democracy. Not by putting police all on the streets," Weah declared.

Weah's recent remarks on democracy and the right to protest have reignited debate over how successive Liberian governments have handled public demonstrations, drawing sharp contr...