Monrovia – Liberia has always had a flirtatious relationship with political intrigues. Once regarded as one of the peaceful and developing nations, Africa’s oldest republic’s fortunes turned with a now infamous rice riots on April 14, 1979, followed by a coup d’etat exactly a year later, on April 12, 1980.
Report by Samwar S. Fallah, [email protected]; Alpha Senkpeni
How Can We Save Our Predicament?
Samuel Kanyon Doe and his misfit ban of low-ranked army officers ended decades of Americo-Liberian rule and executed 13 officials of President William R. Tolbert government.
In the next decade, Doe’s reign would witness a wave of attempted coups, a contentious 1985 Presidential and legislative elections climaxing with failed invasion of Doe’s former peer Thomas Quiwonkpa who was slain in a failed attempt to oust Doe from power.
Liberia has never been the same since. A civil war on the eve of Christmas in December 1989 would see scores of Liberians flee for their lives into exile, hundreds others killed, scores maimed and a country once regarded as one of the finer examples of peace and serenity found itself disintegrating into war, chaos and destruction.
Today, Liberia and Liberians are paying the price. Despite the election in 2005 of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, much of the infrastructures ruined during the war remain in tatters.
The Mount Coffee Hydro Dam which was destroyed during the war is slowly getting back to shape but access to affordable and safe-drinking water remains a challenge.
In the backdrop to it all has been some damning questions of what ifs?
What if Liberia had never gone to war, would we have managed to retain our relevance and stake in the global political discourse? Would we have surpassed the developments now being seen in our next door neighbours, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone?
More importantly, what if there had been a counter coup against Doe by what was left of the Tolbert government?
Many former officials were thrown into jail and subsequently released with some finding their way back in the Doe government while others made their way into exile and many more have found their way back in the thick of the political fray.
In a recent Facebook posting, Mr. Ijoma Flemingster, regarded as one of the youngest to win a seat in the national legislature during the Tolbert era says a countercoup would have exacted too much carnage on the Liberian society and suspects that much of what unfolded in Liberia came as a result of external influence and interventions.
“Precisely because the “hidden hands” of the April 1980 coup d’etat would not have wanted to be exposed. Throughout this saga, from 1980 to now, such calculation has been proven to be sound.
As for me, during 2003 when I was asked by the UN Security Council to be a Commissioner for Governance Reform of Liberia so as to be engaged in efforts to end Liberia’s civil conflicts, it was then that it was satisfied that the 1980 Liberia coup d’etat had come full cycle.”
By 2003, I had become the surviving highest tenured public servant of Liberia, considering that I was part of the decision channel in selecting Bishop Bennie Warner as Vice President of Liberia during August 1977; and, that while I was a TWP National General Secretary, current President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was then Deputy Minister for Finance.
Flemingster contends that history had already provided a pattern for why there was not to be a countercoup after the Coup d’etat of 1980.
“When President Edward Roye was assassinated in 1872, it was not until 1884 that President Hillary Richard Wright Johnson brought healing and union to Liberia’s governance. … It is understood that we all have experienced extreme sacrifices.
But, after much time/discussion over many years, powerful key worldwide forces are now accepting to rollback effects of the events in Liberia’s governance which precipitated the Liberia coup d’etat of April 1980.”
Today, decades after the gripping 1980 coup and subsequent periods of instability, Liberia remains entrenched in a state of uncertainty.
‘Rough 26’-Public Mix Views Mare Liberia’s 169 Independence Celebration
The indelible scars of civil and political crisis are still visible, and politicians – past and present – are being blame for failing to keep Liberia on the right trajectory along with other African countries that only acquired independence from European powers in the late and early 1950s and 1960s.
Now headed by Africa’s first female President, Liberians endure mix conditions although the government brags of economic progress, regaining its international fame, and most of all, sustaining over 10 years of peace.
But the current devaluation of the Liberian dollars against the United States dollars with the two currencies trading on the market, and the high unemployment leave many Liberians lamenting the poor state of the economy. Delays in the payment of government employees ahead of Tuesday’s celebration have further compounded the hardship for families.
On the other hand, some say, the government has achieved significantly as they point to road construction projects, the ongoing Mount Coffee Hydro project, and the decentralization of tertiary education across the country.
The 2015 festivities were held in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties with Grand Gedeh County, River Gee and Maryland Counties named as the venue for the 2016 celebrations but President Sirleaf cancelled the celebration in those counties.
However, official ceremonies in observance of the 169th Independence Anniversary takes place at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmun Street, Monrovia under the theme: “Consolidating Progress towards Transformation”. Over the past couple of days, President Sirleaf has dedicated several projects in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County; Paynesville, Montserrado County and in Margibi County.
Emerging mix reactions from Liberians ahead of their country’s 169TH independence celebration has heightened a debate about the level of work government has done especially as the crucial 2017 general and Presidential elections is setting the stage for intense political activities.
FrontPageAfrica has been out and about getting opinions from Liberians about what they make of the independence celebration.
Enoch D. Charlie, 24, Barber: “I have just graduated from high school and I’m hoping that the country improves so people like us can have opportunity to foster our education. I’m happy to celebrate this year’s 26 because of the peace that we are enjoying.
But for now we are not experiencing the kind of momentum that can come along with the 26 season.
One major problem I have is that the government needs to open more room for young people to get employment because once we are not working it makes the country hard because this 26 is very rough on us.”
Austin T. Wesseh, 31: President, Mass Communication Student Association, University of Liberia: “I think the 26 celebration is great, giving that there are projects being dedicated – one place I call my home (Marshall in Margibi County) will dedicate some community projects which is a major boost for our country. Wesseh believes the country is making progress especially the construction of roads across the country.
“I think we are making progress with the road projects around the country. This is something to celebrate, as well as the peace we are enjoying today especially with the absence of UNMIL. I’m also glad that UL is closing and opening regularly and I think we have more things to cheer about than things to cry about.
On the other hand, we hope to see places like Red-light market transformed into a more decorated place like the ELWA Junction while I’m also looking forward to seeing the Somalia Drive road project complete.”
Fatu Kanneh, 53: Vegetable Seller -Redlight Market: “I’m disturbed about the whole 26 business because they are not buying and things price like rice is just going up.
Last year 26 was alright more than this one, because at least people were buying. We want for government to at least come with some help that will make us get money to do our market.”
Roselyne Monger, 44: Fish Seller: “This 26 is very bad because our man them (husbands) don’t have money. Last year 26 (independence celebrations) was 10 times better but now, look at how the US rate is up and rice price is so high.
I’m not able to buy my children clothes for the holiday and my husband is not working too. Government needs to give us helping hand so that we can do something for our children.”
Kukuta Yarseah, 45: Marketer: “26 is bad for us this year because I’m not seeing what government is doing? Look at the US rate on how it is going up and how hard time is increasing every day.
Last year celebration was better and this year is not looking good; we don’t even know how next year will be , look at what’s happening, school fees going up and every year we need to send our children to school because they (are) the ones we depending on for tomorrow.”
Martin K.N, Kollie, Student: University of Liberia says celebrating independence is a waste.
“There’s nothing to show after 169 years, if you look at Liberia today, quite frankly celebrating 169 years is not only wasteful but it is needless and unfortunate.
When you take a look at Liberia from Montserrado to Maryland (counties), the people continue to experience abject poverty, corruption is on the increase, our health sector has been broken down and everything is hector scatter so what are we to celebrate ?
I’m not a blind critic because visible indicators can further justify our argument that this government has miserably failed since 2006…, today youth unemployment is still on the increase – 83.5% of our young people are unemployed despite our country being endowed with abundance of resources.
The question is why our people unemployed when we have companies like Chevron, Exxon Mobile, Firestone and other multi million dollars companies in the country? Corruption is an underling factor because it is deeply entranced in every fabric of society – from the balcony of the Executive Mansion to the chambers of the Legislature; corruption has taken over (because) transparency is a taboo under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.”
Alfred Momo Kandakai Kromah: Resident, Carey Street: “Constitutionally, we are under obligation to celebrate the July 26 independence anniversary but on the other hand, I find it very dangerous and unacceptable for Liberians to celebrate 26 because in the absence of implementation, Liberians cannot celebrate a day that doesn’t show importance to their lives.
We have not had the opportunity to get access to safe drinking water, our stable food which is rice, and the economic situation is bad for Liberian people. So, I am saying that in order for the government to celebrate, let them go into their closets and redesigned another strategy in order for us to celebrate this day in a jubilant mood where Liberians themselves will testify the importance of celebrating 26.”
Rev. J. Battieor Coleman: Resident , Gardnerville: “Customarily, we have to celebrate July 26 as an independent anniversary but the most important thing is that the Liberian people need to live happily and what will make the Liberian people live happily is that the government needs to be able to cater to the needs of the people adequately. Civil servants have to be paid and paid on time and meet the need of the downtrodden masses.
The Bible says: he who has received much, much is expected of him. This is the only government I know of and others know that has received the highest donor funds and not that government has not done anything but they have not done according to our expectations.”
Henry Kesselle: Resident: Buzzi Quarter Community: “Unlike other countries that were colonized by other countries, Liberia was colonized by a mere organization which I don’t take seriously. We need to organize ourselves to unite this country and fight for our independence.
I believe that it is good to celebrate independence but being colonized by an organization (American Colonization Society), I don’t see it necessary to celebrate.
On the issue of our economy, our leaders are not in line with us the poor people because one man will buy a US$ 150,000 dollars car while people on the side can’t get one cup of rice to eat and so what will these people celebrate.”
Bashiru Mohhammed Tunis: Grand Cape Mount County: “Celebrating our independence is a beautiful thing because this is something we fought for so each and every one of us need to come together and celebrate this day. I agree that the economic status of our country is not good; I agree that it is in a devastating condition but you can’t tell me that since tomorrow is my birthday and I’m not working so when it comes I have to let it go and pay deaf ears to it.
I say No! July 26 happens to be our country birthday – the only country that we have – irrespective of our economic status, it does not negate the fact that we should not celebrate our birthday. I agree the government has done a little much well although there are lot of challenges…, you cannot hold this regime liable for 160 and some more years of minuses.”
Armstrong Kawah: Resident, Montserrado County: “Actually, July 26 is our day so why it is true that the government has failed in certain areas, yet than still, we need to celebrate that day.
I expect for the government to bring more job chances for us because it has failed to solve these problems in creating avenue for its citizens. So, some people are looking at this day (July 26) as a good one for them and others do not have anything to celebrate the day with but for me, I give God the glory.”
The country is celebrating 169 years of existence at a very difficult period when it is experiencing economic downturn-devaluation in the local currency against the United States dollars, high unemployment and other harsh living conditions.
Liberia is also heading into crucial election in 2017 following the departure of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, leaving security in the hands of state security.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1847 the President’s term of office was two years. During the Administration of President Arthur Barclay the term of office was changed to four years, in 1907/08. His cousin President Edwin Barclay had it changed to eight years, in 1935/36.
It was restored to four years under President Tubman – who was elected a record number of six times. During the Tolbert Administration, in 1975/76, it was again changed to eight years. At present the Presidential term of office is six years whereas the President can only succeed to himself once.