Monrovia – In a bid to reconcile the 54th Legislature, the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Peace Building Office, UNMIL and the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND) on Friday, March 23 held a one-day political peace and reconciliation dialogue at the Capitol.
Gerald C. Koinyeneh [email protected]
Addressing the gathering in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building, the Speaker of the 54th Legislature, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, said the Legislature is the mirror and fulcrum of the nation, and as such it should take the lead in fostering national reconciliation.
Dr. Chambers said for the process of reconciliation to be achieved, there is a need to examine the extent of their human frailties; adding that “with the weakness in us as human beings, there will always be disharmony, but the best is that when we realize our faults as reasonable people, then enhancement of the whole idea of reconciliation will be achieved.”
He hailed the House’s Committee on Peace Building and National reconciliation and its partners to continue the process and called for more restructuring and identification of key actors and context to ensure that genuine reconciliation is achieved.
“The solutions are with us. If we are to build fences, if we are to stone wall, nothing constructive will happen. But as human beings, if we adapt the sense of caring, honesty, friendly speaking and constructive loyalty, many good things will happen. This House is the mirror of Liberia, our country. Because here, you have the republic of Liberia.
And this is the fulcrum of anything constructive that will happen in this Republic. In this respect, I want to say thanks for coming and I hope it is not the last,” he averred.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, the House Committee Chairperson on Peacebuilding and National Reconciliation, Rep. Dorwohn Gleekia (Nimba Dist.#6), noted that the dialogue is geared toward mending the political divide that followed the acrimonious elections of the House’s leadership.
“This division was centered around the election of Speakership position. There were claims and counter claims, which resulted with some levels of dissatisfaction.
The goal of this forum is to enable us to reflect on the heated electioneering activities and identify where we may have offended one another and muster the courage to say to one another that we are sorry,” he intoned.
Reechoing President George Weah’s statement, the Nimba District #6 lawmaker noted that cultural and political divide will continue to serve as hindrance to genuine peace and reconciliation; something that has been elusive to Liberia over the years.
“Let us foster peace among us and in our constituencies and let us seek national identity and glorification above personal glory. Let us not forget about what has happened, lets always talk about it. But Let’s just say it and move on with our political agenda,” he urged.
Also speaking, Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, William R. Tolbert, III who also proxied for Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf, hailed the Legislature for making reconciliation the hallmark of their leadership and pledged his cooperation toward the process.
The Political Affairs Officer and Reconciliation Team Leader of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Munyaradzi Motsi pledged the United Nations’ continuous support to Liberia’s reconciliation process; noting that despite the mission’s imminent complete drawdown, the UN, through its relevant agencies will continue to work with the Liberian Government to foster peace and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, flagging out their challenges and finding the way forward, several lawmakers including Reps. Isaac Roland (Maryland Dist.#3), Johnson Gwaikolo (Nimba Dist#9), Rustolyn Suacoco Dennis (Montserrado Dist.#4), P. Mark Jury (Maryland Dist.#1), Joseph Matthews (Gbarpolu Dist.#3) and Emerson V. Kamara (Grand Cape Mount Dist.#3) proffered diverse views.
They, among other things, pointed out several challenges impeding genuine political reconciliation among them and called on the Speaker to use his authority and wisdom to reconcile them.
Rep. Gwaikolo called for total dissolution of the two divides- the Rebrand block, predominately made of the re-elected lawmakers from the 53rd Legislature and the Reform Block largely consisting of the newly elected Representatives.
He also stressed the need to review the “Winner Takes All Syndrome” wherein the party which takes over the leadership of the House has the absolute power to make appointment to Statutory and Standing Committees.
He was backed by Rep. Gleekia, who suggested that the Lower House should revisit their rules and emulate the Upper House in electing heads of statutory committees instead of giving the speaker the sole powers to make appointments.
Rep. Suacoco Dennis called on the ‘Rebranders’ to put away what she called their sinister behavior toward the “Reformers” and the ‘Reformers’ should on the other hand, do away with their “rancorous attitudes toward their colleagues.”