Liberian Voices

Liberian Warlords

2006-07-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

"We [Liberians] must face our “bygones” – the past, instead of letting the many questions go unanswered."

Liberians across the globe are hoping, as the Truth and Reconciliation Committee begins its work of collecting evidence of abuses during the Liberian civil war, that light will be shed on war crimes. They are hoping that former warlords turn politicians and rebel commanders responsible for abuses and killings of civilians during the civil war (1989-2003) will be brought to justice. I am hoping too, against all odds that some rebel commanders who put me against the wall in the northern Liberian town of Foyah in 1993 to be executed, will come forward and confess to atrocities committed against civilians Monrovia in blood.

A Wealthy man's reaction to poverty

2006-04-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sir Branson speaks a language that resonates with needs the poor, especially Africa. There is so much that can be done with little help if only the West and other first world nations committed to relinquishing their hold on African emancipation by the cancellation of all debts.

Personally, I am tired of people who just talk. I am tired of those who promote their [corporate] image by pretending to help the poor. I am tired of people who only talk the talk but cannot walk the walk.

Africa needs genuine commitment to poverty relief - funding community development programs!

The Voice

A Time to Celebrate or Not to!

2006-03-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

The dust that characterized Liberia’s first post-war elections has settled. No single party was able to win any considerable number of seats neither in the Lower House of Representatives nor the Upper House of Senate. A new government is in place and Liberians are hoping to pick up broken pieces of their shattered lives. But how much celebration can Liberians afford; is it a time to celebrate or not to?

Weah and the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) cried foul on and after the Liberian run-off presidential elections of November 8, 2005. The National Elections Commission (NEC) conducted an investigation in collaboration with international observers. The outcome – the massive fraud alleged by the CDC was a result of human error, the NEC report concluded. Could this be termed then that the CDC had a point when the party accused the commission of masterminding the fraud. You be the judge! Note that this is no longer a hot issue in Liberian politics. Many are content that the score has been settled.

While the President-elect pondered her victory, Liberia, especially Monrovia become tense as CDC supporters clashed with police and United Nations Peacekeeping troops. During this time, I spoke to some young Liberians in New York City and had a variety of opinions. One said, “Koromah, Winston, and other Liberian Politicians are well educated. But they don’t have the trust of the people. This is why George Weah was a favorite in the past election.” But why did Madam Johnson-Sirleaf win in the run-off, I asked. “There were many factors taken into consideration when the people chose her, like experience, contact, and education,” he replied.

Another said, “Weah’s election defeat can be attributed to the fears of his adversaries who chanted that if he [Weah] was elected president he; [pause] they created fear in the people’s minds that the man will be a bad president,” he lamented. Whether truth or myth, news writers and political commentators with renowned Western Medias made similar assumptions about Weah.

The New York Times in its October 29, 2005 issue, Lydia Polgreen likened George Weah to late president Samuel Doe, who ruled Liberia for ten years after seizing power in a bloody military coup in April of 1980. The writer argued that “Mr. Weah's rise has unsettled the tiny elite, with many worrying that he will become a figure like Master Sgt. Samuel K. Doe, who seized power in a bloody coup in 1980, ending more than a century of political domination by a small, powerful clique of descendants of the American slaves who founded this country more than 100 years ago.”

With pressure from international leaders, the CDC, the party headed by Weah, dropped its legal choice of pursing the election fraud case to the Supreme Court of Liberia. Eulogies and praises followed for the brave and manly decision made by Weah. This automatically paved the way for a peaceful inauguration of the new government headed by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The new government has since taken office as of January 2006.

In street corners of Monrovia, in homes of America, in ghettos of displaced persons and refugees camps around the world, Liberians celebrated this day – a sign of hope for a new dawn, a new era that shall champion the alleviation of poverty and the resettlement of many.

Even before the inauguration, the president-elect made a gesture to signal a complete break away from the past. Referring to her inauguration, she said, “So we want to use January 16, the day of our inauguration, for all Liberians especially those at home to celebrate our victory. We want our people who will not have the opportunity to join us at the Executive Mansion in the official celebration of the inauguration to do theirs at the community level,” reported The Analyst online (December 28, 2005).

For many Liberians, celebrations may happen down the road. The hopes and aspirations of both Liberians and international stakeholders have been set high. Internally displaced Liberians are hoping that they will get some financial assistance to help them return to their respective towns and villages to begin rebuilding their lives.

Liberians from the Diaspora are also flocking back to Monrovia in large numbers in a hope of finding jobs in the new government. Even some naturalized Americo-Liberians are betting their lot that they shall be given a chance to prove that they still have Liberia at heart. The only hindrance to those with dual nationality is that the Liberian Constitution does not allow it. Even born Liberians automatically lose that “birth-right” to serve in high-level jobs if they take an oath in another country.

This good sign of knowledge return and appointments made by President Johnson-Sirleaf have been applauded in many quarters. Notwithstanding, people are anxious to see the beginning of the changes that they have been promised. Firestone workers are already venting their frustration and are recommencing a strike that has halted operations at the Firestone Rubber Plantation.

Disgruntled employees of the Finance Ministry are pursuing a legal remedy to their mass firing by President Johnson-Sirleaf.

And somewhere in villages and towns, ordinary Liberians are still afraid of those, who once maimed and killed their love ones, now loaming around their communities with no jobs or skills.

The challenges are enormous; the expectations are high. Liberia could live up to its promise of “a free land of liberty with justice and peace for all” through the government’s resource management expertise. The resources (diamonds, gold, rubber, timber, palm-oil, coffee, cocoa; palm-wine, just to name a few) that adorned the Liberian soil, if manage in a transparent and equitable manner, will give each and every Liberian the chance to benefit from this massive wealth and enable the ordinary people to improve their living standards.

Until this can be achieved, Liberians have nothing to celebrate about thus far, since the inaugural celebration. This is the word of the people; the people will be watching! God bless Liberia.

This article was posted on the Liberiant Times and The Liberian Dialogue

Displacing the Internally Displaced People

2006-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

January 2006 New York

The ongoing Demolitions in Duala, Red Light, and Waterside trading areas should give every concern Liberian something to reflect on. According to reports emerging from Monrovia, a joint-United Nations and Liberian force has received mandate to destroy market stalls and other temporary shelters built by Internally Displaced People and other petty traders.

Speaking to Francis, a young used-clothes vendor by phone from Monrovia, he said, “These people have not even thought about how we’re going to feed our families,” lamenting on his frustration of the exercise.

Technically, the exercise is intended to give Monrovia a face-lift in light of the upcoming presidential inauguration scheduled for mid-January. Once again, it is also an attempt by the government to show-case it authoritarian face, and that is has the power to evict marketers, who for the most part do not possess legal papers to operate on street corners and other public places.

The practice of petty trading on sidewalks in Monrovia goes a long way into the social-economic issues that Liberians are faced with. Selling on street-corners has been the most popular form of survival in this war-ravished nation. How could one possibly imagine being evicted from a place where a typical family gets its daily bread? Is this the new strategy to develop Liberia over the coming years?

Corruption: the norm
Ordinary Liberians have seen dictators come and go, while politicians, both elected and appointed, pillaged public good and crippled the economy. The likes of William V.S. Tubman, Samuel Doe, and most recently warlord Charles Taylor only accelerated Liberia’s corruption decadence. One hundred fifty-eight years of independence, yet Liberia has little to show in terms of development or better living standards. The country and its ordinary people have been respectively reduced to rubble and beggars.

The International Community imposed sanctions on Taylor’s government in 2001. The Diamonds-for-arms embargo went a long way in weakening Taylor’s war machine. It also contributed to more hardship on ordinary Liberians. The nation’s infrastructure is almost non-existent.

While majority of Liberians languish in poverty and suffering, Liberian politicians are sugarcoated with lavish parties and trips across the ocean to Europe and America. These so-called “business trips” are times when Liberian politicians transfer large sums of money to their bank accounts overseas. Then how can Liberians talk about development or investment in Liberia when such practices have become the norm for the “smart-thieves”?

Liberian Women, who are said to have voted overwhelmingly for the incoming government, bear the brunt of this appalling hardship. Evicting a mother from the source of her family’s meal will leave her in destitute and shock. Also, some of the evictees come from rural parts of Liberia that have completely disappeared. These people have no place to go.

The way forward
The United Nations must revise its policy vis-à-vis its service to the people. There is no way politicians can influence this august body. The government cannot attempt to hide the true nature of what Liberia and its people have been reduced to over the years, just to impress some high-power dignitaries. It is like trying to conceal one’s true identity to a long-term partner. It is a shame.

The incoming administration must immediately halt the ongoing demolition exercise, which is threatening thousands of Liberian families livelihoods. It must then access the level of damage that has been done to the livelihoods of ordinary Liberians to ascertain their true needs and solutions.

In collaboration with the people, derive a competitive strategy that will improve local trade and commerce. The government must also put in place (build or renovate) structures that will house marketers and traders alike to facilitate reconstruction and development.

Unless Liberians can look at themselves and accept what they are, there will be no sustainable development. Liberians cannot pride themselves of any achievement by attempting to hide the true malady affecting the nation – poverty. The current demolition exercise of market stalls in Monrovia is a guise to further impoverish the masses. Will the Zinc Shacks in West Point be next? Liberians watch-out!

Remember, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” said Martin Luther King, Jr. Liberians cannot afford another hundred fifty years of injustice, at least not in the 21st century.

This article was posted on TheLiberianTimes.com on January 13, 2006.

Snapshots of Liberia

2006-01-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

VoiceofLiberia PICKS OF THE WEEK:
1. Liberia Stories is blog written by a young woman, Elma Shaw, who is coping with living in post-war Liberia where everything was destroyed during the deadly civil-war. I'm currently in New York, I explore the Internet daily for news stories and life-changing tales about the common person in Liberia.

2. Chris Wreh Writes is a popular name in the Liberian football (soccer) arean. He played with major league in Liberia and the counntry's national team before the civil war. He is currently in Europe and strives to keep in touch with friends and fans. Hey Chris, I am one of your, should I say "old fans". Not really, a fan is always a fan, right. Hit me back anytime.

3. Snapshots of Liberia is a collection of photos from a Liberian in Monrovia. His most recent post was in October, 2005.

Enjoy reading!
The Voice of Liberia

Did Liberians Make the Right Decision in Choosing Ellen?

2005-12-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Many in Liberian communities – at home and abroad are still recuperating from the “post-election trauma,” as someone referred to all the hala-halla [noise in Liberian vernacular] that characterized the campaigning and elections. Most recently, the last week of November marked another shock for Liberians after Ellen announced the interim cabinet to oversea the transition from the current UN-backed government to the one elected on November 8. The names, the people, the titles all resembled those of past regimes. Did Liberians then make a wrong decision in choosing Ellen as president?

What Liberians think? Recent polls conducted with focus groups reflect the sentiments, if not disappointments, and aspirations of the masses. In one of the poll we asked, “How fair was the run-off presidential elections between Ellen and George?” 61% said the elections was transparent, 17% felt it was rigged in favor of Ellen, and 17% believe the elections was moderately transparent (view poll here). This may ring a bell to some, if not many.

In another focus group poll, we asked, “Will Liberia return to war after the election?” 25% said it is most likely, 13% said maybe and one understands what that means, while 63% said, “No more war” (participate here). Though the majority of Liberians never ever again wants to go to war, the fear of war lingers deep down in minds and soul of these people. They know very well that a government that does not get the total support of the people is bound to encounter hurdles – opposition disdain or an outright rejection by the people themselves.

In a past article, I argued that “If Ellen Johnson was elected,” and she has, that “she will need to embark on a campaign of persuasion – convincing former comrades in arms” both locally and abroad. “By and large, this could be a laborious task, for Ellen has been an influence and instigator of past military coups and the just ended Liberian Civil War. In a scenario she does not succeed in getting former warlords to finally bury their anger and mistrust, Ellen [could] be faced with subversive activities – a direct replica of what she has sown over the past decades.” Could such a scenario be unfolding in Liberia?

I echoed the question as to who will be the next leaders of Liberia. Liberians have seen dictators like Willam V.S. Tubman, Samuel Doe’s military junta, warlord Charles Taylor come and go while the politicians pillaged public good and crippled the economy. One hundred fifty-eight years of independence, yet Liberia has little to show in terms of development or better living standard.

In another piece I wrote in August, “Recycled Liberian Politicians are back. This time around, it is to compete through the ballot box, not with the barrel of the gun. Liberians in many places are asking themselves, ‘Can these people make a difference this time?’ Will Liberia ever rise up to live up to its true meaning, giving every Liberian the opportunity to lead a happy and dignified life?” To these questions Liberians are yet to get any answers, as there has been no major breakthrough.

As many Liberians observed in awe in the pre-government nominations made my Madam President-elect, the same old goats that changed skins and are now acting in sheepskin, are the ones being named to top government jobs. “Where is the decency?” a young man asked. “Liberia’s president-elect has embarked on a mission to reward loyalists” – the same old folks – “with high power government jobs they shall use to pillage the economy and maintain the same oligarchy Liberia inherited over a century ago,” he lamented.

The president-elect has yet to convince the masses as to what the new government will look like. The time is right to embrace diversity and competence and to form a government of genuine national unity.
One thing is clear - Liberians shall rise to the occasion to take their destiny into their own hands when they feel they made the wrong choice. The world is watching!

Note: Polls results are subject to change as people continue to participate - http://www.freewebs.com/voiceofliberia/pollcenter.htm

Demystifying the Liberian Presidency

2005-11-07T13:46:00.000-08:00

Putting Real Issues

The people of Liberia will make the ultimate decision on November 8, 2005; a decision that shall reshape and reinvigorate the socio-cultural and economic life of a nation beset by rampant corruption for over a century. Flagrant mismanagement by successive regimes and a decade-long civil war have destroyed the social fabric of this small nation, a beacon of prosperity.

After the October 8 primaries, the race for president has come down between two candidates – Ellen Johnson, a prominent Liberian diplomat and career banker, and George Weah, a one-time Africa and World best football [soccer] star. The question now is – who will be Liberia’s next president? To understand and make just decision come election day, one will need to demystify the Liberian presidency.

Ellen Johnson has unsuccessfully sought the high seat of government on two occasions. She is giving it another shot, this time, under the watchful eye of the International Community. Media lords have depicted the gone primaries as one of the most transparent election in the history of Africa. With this said, either Ellen or George will have no justifiable reason in not accepting the final result of the impending run off.

With the results of the primaries (Ellen 19.8%, Weah 29.3%), it is impractical to think that Ellen Johnson will win. It is not because she lacks credentials, but to many, she represents the so-called “Americo-Liberians,” aka Congo people who ruled Liberia for over 150 years leaving the nation with little or no socioeconomic development.

“The practice reached a point where the people could no longer continue to bear such injustice levied upon them,” a young Liberian scholar says. Ellen will have to work extra hours to be able to convince voters that she is no longer part and parcel of that Congo clique.

Ms. Johnson denies being a Congo. She is desperately trying to paint her image as a native Liberian and to woo voters in her camp. The paradox is that during election time, every candidate wants to identify with the voters. Over 90% of Liberian voters are natives and are poor. Ms. Johnson might even go to the level of adopting a native name mirroring others who have done similar in the past.

Examples abound in Liberia’s political world - Charles Taylor adopted the name “Ghankay” to identify with the Gola ethnic group; William Tolbert identified with the Kpelleh ethnic tribe by speaking a few words of the dialect at election rallies. As for Ellen Johnson’s opponent, George Weah does not need to paint himself as a native.

Born poor in New Kru Town, a shanty town of Monrovia, Weah played football [soccer] on beach-fronts and on side-walks around his neighborhood and in West Point, another shanty town. With luck and skills, he played his way to fame in Liberia and later across Europe, where he made a fortune. In the mid 1990s, the world football body, FIFA selected Weah as Africa and World best player. He also served as “Good-Will Ambassador” for the United Nations.

Weah has come to represent the underlying desire of the masses of youth who dream of a decent life. They see Weah as a role model, despite his limited education. Weah shall be elected not because of his popularity, as some people argue. He represents that social class of over 90% of Liberians – indigenous uneducated poor farmers and petty traders. A vast majority of this group will choose Weah over Ellen. By electing Weah, these masses hope that the new government will strive to alleviate human suffering, reduce the disparity of educational opportunities, and embark on the redistribution of funds generated from the nation’s vast economic resources.

Some Western media has likened George Weah to the late president Samuel Doe, who ruled Liberia for ten years after seizing power in a bloody military coup in April of 1980. To quote The New York Times, “Mr. Weah's rise has unsettled the tiny elite, with many worrying that he will become a figure like Master Sgt. Samuel K. Doe, who seized power in a bloody coup in 1980, ending more than a century of political domination by a small, powerful clique of descendants of the American slaves who founded this country more than 100 years ago.”

An assertion as such from a major media mogul like The Times sounds worrisome, especially for champions of democracy and human rights. However, such an unfounded assumption has the propensity to merely scare off voters in choosing Weah as the next president of Liberia. “If Weah becomes president, despite is limited modern education; he shall have received an overwhelming mandate from the Liberian people,” a Liberian voter contends. Weah is seen by some as a unifier and healer of a nation torn apart by military coups and a vicious civil war.

Liberia, founded in July 1847, is Africa’s oldest republic, yet one of the least developed. Literacy rate (modern education) is estimated at 20%; 80% of the population lives below the poverty line; about 85% of the workforce is unemployed; half a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) still loam in make-shift camps/shelters; infant mortality stands at a stark 129/1000 births (CIA World Fact Book 2003-2004 estimates). These statistics display the volatile and precarious situation of a nation, once considered the little United States of Africa. Today, Liberia is one of the world’s worst places to live or to raise a family.

The Challenges Ahead:
Experienced politicians usually make bold promises to the people during electioneering period. Most often, these promises are never honored. Liberia has been no exception in this deceptive practice by politicians.

Over the past couple of weeks, nice words have been spoken and published in so-called “political platforms”– with promises of rebuilding war-shattered communities, creating jobs, uprooting corruption, providing educational and health services, among others. These may really look nice on paper, but not enough to convince voters. The masses have suffered for too long and they do not intend to squander another golden opportunity.

“150 years of promises by the Congo elites brought nothing, but hardship and the gradual depletion of the nation’s natural resources (diamonds, rubber, timbers, iron ore), without much to show in terms of development,” a Liberian student activist explains. The true and ultimate challenge of the next president will be transforming these unconvincing promises into concrete actions that will benefit the masses.

The task of the incoming president will be three-fold – (1) restore basic needed services of running water and electricity, (2) banish corruption, thus paving the way to sustainable development in health, education, and livelihood sectors; (3) tackle the deep-rooted practice of corruption and impunity, where elites steal from the masses and portray themselves as “smart guys.”

Once these three basic sectors have been tackled, Liberia shall once again become a nation that attracts Foreign Direct Investment, so badly needed to steer the economy back on course. This will create jobs for the unemployed and give people a source of revenue to support themselves and their families. This will go a long way in discouraging youths and former combatants from taking up arms to rob or to sow mayhem.

It shall require compassion, solidarity, and diligence:
If George Weah becomes president, his critics argue that the International Community will play the “wait-and-see” game to determine if his team of experts can be trusted. I see things differently. Provided the new president lives up to his words and embark on the path of bringing lasting development to this starved nation, I envision a Liberia full of prosperity.

Mr. Weah shall endeavor to form a government of inclusion, rid himself of corrupt individuals, and partner with development agencies to deliver the goods and services that have been promised the people. This shall all become a reality only with a system of transparency and accountability.

If Ellen Johnson was elected, she will need to embark on a campaign of persuasion – convincing former comrades in arms. By and large, this could be a laborious task, for Ellen has been an influence and instigator of past military coups and the just ended Liberian Civil War. In a scenario she does not succeed in getting former warlords to finally bury their anger and mistrust, Ellen shall be faced with subversive activities – a direct replica of what she has sown over the past decades.

Final Word
The incoming leadership must feel Compassion for their fellow Liberians, especially in sympathy of the decade-long war that reduced the ordinary [wo]men to beggars and turned some into crooks - compassion towards one another in healing the wounds while rebuilding a new Liberia based on trust and merit.

Solidarity with the 80% population that lives under the poverty line is paramount. Instead of treating certain people as country, backward, or based on tribal affiliation, the new government must endeavor to distribute the country’s resources to every county in a fair and transparent manner.

Liberians, regardless of tribe affinity or county of origin remain indivisible with liberty and justice for all. It shall take diligence and expedience in addressing the needs of the nation. The incoming leadership must be conscientious of the trust and responsibility the people have entrusted them with.

Without heeding these considerations, Liberia could become another “dream to come true” for the next hundred years. The world is watching. Politicians must demystify the Liberian Presidency and give the people the opportunity to lead a decent life in this Free Land of Liberty.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “it is either now or never,” demanding the rights of the individual.

VoiceofLiberia

Changing Liberia’s Blood-Soaked Legacy

2005-10-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Liberia’s Independence
Liberia was established in July 1847 by so-called “Americo-Liberians” who ruled this piece of land as a personal family business for over 130 years (1847-1980). The Liberian Constitution, its flag, and a host of other national icons were modeled upon those of the United States of America. The Capital, Monrovia is named after James Monroe, America’s fifth president.

Liberia, a land supposed to be a place for the FREE, became a territory of racial discrimination, imposed by the fair-skin color former slaves from America and other captives rescued in international waters. Instead of the country becoming a beacon of peace, prosperity and freedom; it became a replica to the plantations and farms of the South of the United States of America, where slaves labored for white masters. But this time, the masters were as brown as their subjects. Firestone Rubber Plantation is the major case in point of forced labor. It was not until 1936 that forced labor was abolished. Racial discrimination was outlaw in 1958 by then President William V.S. Tubman.

During the First World War (1914-1918), Liberia became a key player to allies struggle against Germany, by declaring war on the later, thus giving the Allies a base in West Africa. The same happened in 1944 during Second World War (1939-1945).

An Indigenous Liberian Seizes Power
Come 1980, a semi-literate Master Sergeant, Samuel K. Doe was made Head of State after a bloody military coup that left his predecessor and 13 other high-ranking government officials slaughtered. The coup in itself was welcomed with chants of “free at last” from the masses, who had been forced into submission by past regimes. What tainted the operation was the public execution of the 13 officials. This was appalling, but the International Community paid a blind eye, hoping that Doe would change the course of his nation to development and prosperity. He squandered the opportunity.

Samuel Doe survived several tentative coups, though critics say his security apparatus staged some in order to get his opponents. Thomas Quiwonkpa and al staged the most renown failed military coup in 1985. At some point, the coup was thought to be successful. Quiwonkpa had seized the radio and supposedly the Executive Mansion, and people brazed the streets in jubilation. Hours went by. Somehow, somewhere, something went wrong. Suddenly, Doe announced on State Radio, “I am back in power.” Several people were razed by machine gun fire in the streets of Monrovia, especially those who had gone into the grounds of the Executive Mansion chanting (there is no report of this mass slaughter). The mastermind, Quiwonkpa was captured and decapitated by Doe’s security. What follows after is history that must be told.

In 1985, Samuel Doe staged an election believed to have been won by Jackson F. Doe (late). Charles Taylor later killed Jackson Doe. Samuel K. Doe was declared winner of those elections. Despite being given a second chance, the man grew even more fanatic and paranoid. He continued to hunt down is opponents both by day and night, plunging Liberia right back into anarchy. Daily livelihood, education, and healthcare were ignored under successive regimes. The economy fell at its lowest. Liberians struggled to feed themselves, living on less than $1 a day. The nation’s literacy rate stands at a mere 20%, while access to healthcare is almost non-existent. While the masses suffered, government officials with access to the nations coffers evacuated their immediate families to better lifestyle in America, Europe, and other affluent African countries. In short, they [politicians] selfishly pillaged the nation and invested abroad. This is a social mal that is widespread in Liberian society since (158 years ago) the declaration of independence.

The All Out Offensive
By the late 1980s, Samuel Doe had transformed Liberia into a clanship, naming several Krahns (Doe’s ethnicity) to high power positions in the army, Para-military apparatuses, and strategic government ministries. With memories of the 1980 executions, families of those men were looking for opportunities to wreck revenge on Doe and his gang. Prominent Liberians including Ellen Johnson formed the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) in the United States to oust Doe’s regime. Ellen acknowledged contribution US$10,000 to the war. Charles Taylor, former minister in Doe’s government who fell out with the late president led the uprising against the government.

Launched in December 1989 through Nimba County, the Liberian Civil War took away more than 250,000 lives – children, women, and men. On average, every Liberian family lost a relative or love one. In my immediate family for example, I lost a nephew, Edwin at age 13 during the last assault on Monrovia in 2003. On the enlarged family level, I lost more than 5 persons (cousins and uncles). To add to this record, more than 100,000 young men and women were forced to actively carry out the civil war. As a result, they are traumatized; some physically handicapped; and others are mentally inapt to ever live a normal life again.

1997, Charles Taylor won one of the best-staged and feared elections in the history of Africa. Taylor’s gangs intimidated war-weary Liberians, who massively voted Taylor’s National Patriotic Party to power, thus giving the ruling party control in both houses – the Legislature and Senate.

While Liberians hoped that Taylor would bring much needed development to this war-torn nation, he continued the witch-hunt against his opponents unabated. Taylor’s gangs mercilessly murder prominent Liberians, like Samuel Dokie and family. Some fled abroad; others kept silent.

By 2000, another planned rebel incursion, led by Taylor’s opponents, was well into Northern Lofa County. This time around, remnants of late Samuel Doe’s Krahn fighters and Madingoes vying to take Taylor down with the backing of Guinea and Sierra Leone, were on the loose shelling villages and killings youths suspected of being Taylor’s fighters. Liberia northern region became a no-man’s land as Guinean troops backed the LURD war machine to move into towns and villages along the border. The sight from Gueckedou, Macenta, and Lola (all Guinean Towns) was not pretty.

While Liberians languish in poverty and suffering, the International Community imposed sanctions on Taylor’s government in 2001. The Diamonds-for-arms embargo went a long way in weakening Taylor’s war machine. It also contributed to more hardship on ordinary Liberians.

As Taylor faced pressure from several fronts, he became even more diabolic. In February 2001, he ordered the execution of his one-time confident and manager of the Sierra Leone war, Sam Bockarie (aka Mosquito) and his family. Taylor’s succeeded in eliminating evidence (i.e. Mosquito) that would have been used against him in the United Nations High Court for war crimes in Sierra Leone.

Conakry’s Active Involvement
In early 2001, I watched as more reinforcements were sent from the border towns of Gueckedou, Macenta, and Lola in Guinea. Guinea continued in its efforts to get rid of Taylor at all cost, while vehemently supporting LURD forces. The Guinean army shelled Lofa and Nimba counties on the Liberian side on multiple occasions. At the same time, a power nation was administering logistic support and strategic training to the Guinea Army.

By March 2003- Rebels advanced to within 10km of Monrovia. Talks in Ghana aimed at ending rebellion are overshadowed by the indictment accusing President Taylor of war crimes over his alleged backing of rebels in Sierra Leone. In the month of July, battles intensified for control of Monrovia. Thousands of innocent civilians are killed – sometimes by Taylor’s rockets and other times by the advancing LURD forces. I lost a nephew (Edwin) at this crucial moment.

Taylor’s Escape
August 2003, Taylor and the International Community worked out a deal. Nigeria played a crucial role in sending troops to Liberia and granting asylum to Taylor and his entourage. Charles Taylor shamefully bowed down and turned the keys over to his deputy, Moses Blah for a transitional period of three months.

Since January 2004, an interim government headed by Gyude Bryant was installed and was given mandate to steer Liberia to free, fair, and transparent elections under the watchful eye of the International Community. During its mandate, the Interim Government has been marred by scandals of corruption and nepotism. This is just another reminder that Liberian politicians cannot be trusted with public office. They always put their desires before the common good of the people. At one point, the International Community threatened to take over Liberia.

On October 11, Your Vote is What it Takes
This succinct rundown of Liberian History is intended to give the reader a clear understanding of the dynamics of Liberian politics and how it will impact the October 11 elections. Liberians have been kept at bay for so long. This is the time to rise and shine!

The level of greed and anarchy I have witnessed over the years is directly linked to the mentality of “getting as much as I can.” Liberians must deny politicians such a luxury at this point in time. Liberia declared independence 158 years ago; yet, countries that declared independence less than 40 years ago are far better off than Liberia. Take a look at Senegal (1960), Ghana (1957), just to name a few. These countries are like great grand children to Liberia, yet, they have been able to achieved a considerable level of development that may take us about half a century. As The New York Times puts it, “Deals cut by decades of corrupt rulers have robbed the Liberian people of the profits from the nation's rich endowment of resources - timber, rubber and gems.”

October 11, it will take your vote to change the tide and the course of Liberian history; that your children, grand children and great grand children will remember and proudly say, “My father or mother was part of that generation of Liberians that changed the status-quo for the betterment of our nation – Liberia.” Go vote with your heart and soul, not based on affinity or who-you know.

For more information go to The Liberian Voice.

Will Liberians Reward the Culprits, Again?

2005-08-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Questions With Clear Answers

Recycled Liberian Politicians are back. This time around, it is to compete through the ballot box, not with the barrel of the gun. Liberians in many places are asking themselves, “Can these people make a difference this time?” Will Liberia ever rise up to live up to its true meaning, giving every Liberian the opportunity to lead a happy and dignified life? How could this be possible when the same old goats have changed skins, and are now acting in sheepskin, trying to elude people of their true colors? Will Liberians continue to reward bad people with high power government jobs – positions they use to pillage the economy? Making the right choice in October’s elections will go a long way in stabilizing not only Liberia, but also the entire sub-region of West Africa.

Just for the record, Radio Veritas, this week, hosted a debate among some of the top contenders for the country high post. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (UP), Varney G. Sherman (COTOL), Roland Massaquoi (NPP), and Tipoteh (ADP) were on air in their bid to convince the voters. Each spoke some very sound language as to why Liberians should vote for him/her. When the candidates were asked about the possible trail of Charles Taylor, none was willing to “call the dog by its name,” but rather “beat around the bush” about demanding Taylor’s handover and eventual trail.

But what difference does it make in voting for these old politicians? Liberians have heard the same old rhetoric over and over for the past decade. They made million promises to develop Liberia, while the country went down the drain. These were the same folks, for the most part, who justified the civil war they sponsored and directed through their blank promises and bogus language. They may argue that it was to liberate Liberia. Why go to war and against your own people in the name of some stupid concept. Though the Liberian system has never been any good; but it is our responsibility to make it operational through the rule of law, not by being above the law.

How could one talk about human rights when s/he does not have a moral conviction of its true meaning? Liberian politicians have always paid lip service to the decaying human rights’ conditions of this nation. None has ever championed such a cause with vigor and commitment. That leads us to question some candidates’ willingness to support work aimed at promoting sustainable peace in Liberia. And sustainable peace is only attainable when there is sustainable justice.

I was participating in a teleconference last Sunday with some prominent Liberian compatriots. There was a T.Q Harris, who as I learned, withdrew from the election race. He was encouraging conference participants to massively get involved to vote. This is an important point to consider in the process of democratization. But for me, it is not more important than the issue of accountability for the rampant corruption and the quasi-destruction of Liberia over the past 15 years.

I grew up in the midst of the civil war; and I learned the hard way, constantly running from one place to another, sometimes from one country to another. I know there are thousands more of young people out there who experienced similar ordeals. We helplessly watched while friends, neighbors, and love ones were tortured and butchered (Jerry do you remember the time I was almost executed in Lofa in March of 1993, while they [rebels] cut off your ear?). How can anyone forget the kidnapping and forced enlistment of young boys and girls to fight for warlords? These young people for the most part, lost their lives or are almost useless in the postwar society. This is not democracy!

Liberians have an opportunity next October to embark on a new path to rebuilding a new Liberia. How can Liberia live up to its true meaning if there is no precedent in terms of responsibility and accountability for atrocities and other crimes committed in the war? Rebel fighters from all the factions raped, maimed, and killed innocent men, girls, women and children. Millions of dollars worth of property (towns and villages) was destroyed in the so-called “struggle to liberate the people.” How can one commit atrocities against the same people you claim to liberate? Shameful deeds!

Now is the time for someone prominent to come out and say “Enough!” to all the intimidation and manipulation by the same old goats now in sheepskin. How can we entrust a nation to criminals – people who do not champion justice? They may preach it in their scanty political speeches, but it is mere lip service to quell scrutiny from the Liberian People and the International community.

Will Liberians continue to reward those who maimed, killed, raped their love ones, and who burnt their towns and villages? I will bet that Liberia will not afford another decade of suppression, dictatorship, or any form of anarchy. Liberians ought to change the course of the tide this time, and in their favor. Read the Internet news, stay tune to Radio Veritas and other local news channels to get updates on the ongoing political debate about the presidency. For the masses, who do not have access to these media, informed Liberians should strive to enlighten their peers on the election process. Pro-democracy groups must partnered and make sure that every Liberian gets the true picture of each presidential candidate and his/her running mate. Such an action will empower the people to make informed decisions when casting their ballot come October 11, 2005. Remember that information is power; we should use it to change Liberia for the better!

The Voice

George Weah and the CDC

2005-05-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

Can we say it is a second chance given to Mr. Weah and his CDC Party? Maybe the way people interpret issues does not correspond what the actual facts. The CDC like any other party should be allowed to fairly contest the upcoming general elections of Liberia. This was, was can ensure of transparency and give democracy a chance to florish in this war-torn nation.
Given the CDC experience, there is a clear need to educate people on voter registration and on how to cast ballots, come election day. It is time that the Election Commission begin a massive campaign to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. The reality on the ground is evident to the fact that the voter registration process got a disappointing turnout. Liberia has a population of more than 4m of which 1m was registered to vote, not counting the thousands of Liberian Refugees still in Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and other countries. It is time to do the job right!

Liberian Election

2005-05-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

This time Liberians must be left alone, without manipulation or intimidation, to make a choice of their own in electing the next president of Liberia. People are tired of the machinations of Liberian Politicians. It is about time to give peace a chance!
The Voice