There was a time — not so long ago — when the fire of political conviction burned brightly in me. I was active, engaged, vocal. A staunch observer and sometimes a critic of the evolving political tapestry of Liberia.
By Sallia S. Komala, contributing writer
I wrote, I spoke, I dreamed of a country led with principle, guided by integrity. But then, a friend asked me, not long ago, “Why do you seem so distant from the homeland’s politics now?” And I — half-jokingly, half-truthfully — responded, “I have a fiancée and preparing for a marriage now. Self-preservation, my brother.” A bit sarcastic, yes, but I’ve learned sarcasm is often the armor of the disappointed.
The truth behind the jest? I lost faith. Not in Liberia itself, for she is a land rich in promise. I lost faith in the kind of politics we practice and the kind of people we routinely elevate within it.
I come from humble roots — a household with no flashy wealth but one that overflowed with values. We were taught that your word must stand taller than your ego, that leadership is a responsibility, not a reward. But what I’ve witnessed in our political landscape is a betrayal of those values.
“Politics na constant,” they say in Liberia — a phrase used not with sincerity but as camouflage by political hustlers and smooth-talking chameleons. These are men (and occasionally women) who hop from party to party with alarming ease, leaving behind trails of broken promises and recycled manifestos.
They aren’t leaders — they’re performers in a never-ending circus of deceit.
The ironic truth is: the more mischievous you are, the higher you rise. Success is measured not by your impact or your vision but by how well you manipulate, how often you reinvent your lies and how deeply you prey on the naivety of our people. Political rebirths happen not because of repentance or growth but because our collective memory is too short and our hunger for hope too desperate.
And I find that deeply sickening. But here’s where I pivot —not into cynicism but into conviction.
This is because I believe Liberia deserves better. I believe that if we redefine the values that drive our politics — if character, competence and consistency become our new measures — we can reshape not only the political arena but the soul of our country.
Liberia will thrive when politics is no longer seen as a hustle but as a higher calling. When being principled isn’t mocked as naïveté but celebrated as courage. When our leaders are expected to be servants first and celebrities never.
Not a perfect Liberia — but one where politics means service, not self-interest. One where “Politics na constant” is replaced with “Principles are permanent.” Now that’s a future worth speaking up for. Now that’s how we fix the country, the economy and everything else by fixing the politics.
Sallia S. Komala is a graduate of Cuttington University’s Department of Economics, and can be reached at [email protected]
