MONROVIA – Senator Amara Konneh of Gbarpolu County has denounced the rising wave of tribal politics and gender bias surfacing in the ongoing Nimba County by-election.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
He warned that such divisiveness threatens to derail both Liberia’s democratic progress and Nimba’s potential as an economic powerhouse.
As Nimba prepares to fill the Senate vacancy left by the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, Konneh stressed the urgent need for unity and issue-based campaigning. He expressed concern over the growing influence of tribal sentiments — particularly among the Gio, Mano, and Mandingo communities — as well as the sidelining of a female candidate, Edith Gongloe-Weh.
“Tribal and anti-women narratives have no place in a democracy that’s still healing from a brutal civil war,” Senator Konneh said. “We cannot allow our political processes to be hijacked by division and discrimination. Nimba deserves better.”
He highlighted the danger of reverting to identity politics, recalling how ethnic rivalries contributed to Liberia’s past conflicts. Konneh urged voters and candidates alike to focus on ideas, education, and policies, rather than ethnicity or gender, noting that no single tribe can win a Senate seat on loyalty alone.
“Nimba has long been a symbol of resilience and economic growth,” he added. “It’s time we matched that strength with political maturity. We should be electing leaders based on their vision for inclusive development, not on who their ancestors are.”
Senator Konneh also welcomed the recent public apology from controversial talk-show host ProphetKey to the Mandingo community after a tribal comment, and he praised women leaders who have rallied behind the lone female candidate in the race. These developments, he said, are steps in the right direction.
Calling Nimba a “litmus test” for Liberia’s democratic ideals, Konneh urged the county’s residents to rise above tribalism and gender bias, emphasizing that a unified, policy-driven approach would unlock the county’s full political and economic potential.
“Nimba is a strategic county—not just geographically, but politically. It’s time to channel that power responsibly,” Konneh concluded. “Let’s build a future where all voices matter, and where the best ideas—not the loudest tribes—lead the way.”
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