Voice of Liberia

The Conservative Alternative To A Successful Reconstruction 

 

T. Q. Harris Jr. | January 22, 2007

 

It is with abiding conviction and a sense of destiny that moderate conservatives approach issues regarding this nation. Criticism of government and individuals in positions of trust is not intended to undermine; rather, it is for purposes of strengthening and enhancing performance for the betterment of all. Our motives are driven solely by patriotism, loyalty, pride and duty. Therefore we reject classism and tribalism, as well as adversarial politics that place personal interests above that of the nation and discourage compromise. At the core we believe all Liberians are created equal, endowed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

 

Governance and post-war democracy: On this first anniversary of post-war democracy, it is regrettable to note the Sirleaf administration has missed the mark when it comes to dealing with the most important issues of our time, which are healing and reunification. In the aftermath of the bloody coup d’etat of 1980 and the brutal 14-year war that exposed deep-seated anger and hatred, it is unwise to embark upon reconstruction without first tackling those lingering issues that are the source of discontent. There must be no mistaking it; the calm currently existing is due to the presence of United Nations troops. These troops, however, cannot and will not remain indefinitely. Therefore, it’s imperative the underlying cause of hatred and mistrust are addressed, or else it would be senseless investing huge sums of money into reconstruction. This nation is divided against itself - a fact no one can deny.       

 

It is obvious Liberians are eager to rebuild their lives; however, many are fearful the pattern of injustice in the past will invariably carry over. They want to know what the future holds. Having been subjected to 130 years of plantation-style governance that negatively impacted the lives of millions, people are now seeking assurances. Concerns abound as to - for example - whether the new army will again be used to abuse ordinary citizens. Or, will there truly be equal protection under the law? Failing to address the boiling temperature of residual mistrust shows a definite lack of understanding, as exhibited in the early stages by the destruction of entrepreneurs’ livelihoods, mass dismissal of civil servants, including military and paramilitary personnel, and the arbitrary disbanding of the official army without taking into account economic, security and legal ramifications.      

 

Those who seek to govern, particularly in the aftermath of the national debacle, must be sensitive to entrenched mistrust and suspicion, which existed at the genesis of this nation and was reinforced by decades of plantation-style governance. This nation is a work in progress that requires creativity and resolve. The challenge from the beginning has been to produce - in the absence of a definite model or guidance - a wholesome functional society where a people bred in captivity and conditioned to distrust even their own can co-exist in harmony with other groups of people unencumbered by mental conditioning, yet also deeply enslaved by the limitations of culture, tradition and bias. Therefore as a nation we first must come to grips with our origin and accept the reality of this experiment that is our heritage. 

 

Drawing on the past to shape the future: Not many would disagree this nation came into existence by Divine Providence. It is by and large a telling reminder of man’s propensity for evil, as displayed during the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade where without cause members of the Black race suddenly found themselves reduced to mere objects of barter, trade, and summary executions at the whim of their captors. Yet still; that Liberia exists today, as a sovereign Black republic, is proof that evil may triumphant for a while, but goodness and righteousness ultimately shall prevail.

 

Established upon the principle that freedom is an inalienable right, Liberia must live up to its true meaning by integrating its various ethnic groups and opening its doors to law-abiding individuals, regardless of race, creed, or origin. It shall not drift from its calling to be a haven for the oppressed and a force for justice. This republic shall remain true to its original identity and be distinguished by moral laws. And, the link that binds its people must be sealed by sound moral values and reverence for the All Mighty.   

 

Marking Progress in the absence of an identity: Oftentimes we ask, what binds one Liberian to another? Amazingly, this simple question stumps everyone. This perhaps explains the country’s dilemma. Though co-existing as a people for more than a century, Liberians are yet uncertain as to the ties that bind. This being true, is it possible to produce a wholesome functional society? We say yes. Because it was hardly a coincidence that diverse groups of Africans from a cross-section of the continent migrated to this parcel of land over several hundred years and settled. Furthermore, it must be Divine Providence that these settlers of different cultural backgrounds and without a common language lived within this space, feeding off the land, sharing common resources, trading and resolving disputes; yet, never merging under a single structure until after the arrival of the freed slaves. 

 

But who were the freed slaves? They were descendants of Africans from a cross-section of the continent taken forcibly and enslaved in the West for four hundred years. During this horrific ordeal, tens of millions men, women and children were exterminated. This by any standards is evil played out on a monumental scale. But out of the darkness emerged Liberia - a glimmer of hope. 

 

It is unfortunate priority has not been given to researching and teaching the rich history of this nation. Liberia is far more than Africa’s first republic – a small country in West Africa surrounded by three former European colonies with the Atlantic Ocean to its south. This nation is a glaring reminder to all humanity that freedoms in a twinkle of an eye could be usurped by the most powerful amongst us. Therefore, as stewards we must protect, defend and preserve this icon and avail it to all seeking refuge. 

 

Consequences of plantation-style governance: The current predicament in which we find ourselves is the result of excessive greed and selfishness on the part of those who have been entrusted with the leadership of this nation. Unwilling to share power and the country’s abundant resources, the Americo leadership adopted the behavior of their former slave masters and became evil not only to the indigenous, but also unto themselves. Now the entire population without exception is suffering the consequences. This is a travesty, especially in light of this nation’s potential. However, the recent calamity has provided yet another opportunity for a brand new start, but the current administration, unfortunately, seems poised to squander it.   

 

The perception that this nation is again returning to its past has engendered widespread suspicion, especially amongst those who were victimized during the dreadful era of plantation-style governance when tens of thousands were forced to live under slave-like conditions. People are now assuming a defensive posture, doubtful of the future. There is an apparent restlessness amongst individuals who witnessed the humiliation, rape and murder of loved ones; and in some instances were themselves abused.

 

Others find it difficult to trust owing to personal experience. In the past, they have been discriminated against because of their indigenous background. And on a number of occasions were forced to serve under individuals of Americo descent whom in many instances were far less qualified. These negative experiences have left an indelible scar.     

 

Ironically, it was the predominately indigenous Army that in large part held plantation-styled governance in place. This was made possible by creating a highly dependent society. The stratagem was revealed by President William V. S. Tubman in an Armed Forces Day address in which he remarked, “There are three things expected from the Army: Obedience! Obedience! Obedience!” Judging from the soldiers’ brutal treatment of fellow indigenous, nothing would have stopped them from protecting the status quo. 

 

The following is an illustration of the plantation-styled governance that operated in Liberia: In the mid 1970s the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, who also happened to be the President’s brother, lived in a house off a major street in the heart of Monrovia. Soldiers guarded the property 24 hours a day. In a display of absolute contempt for the ordinary citizen, the Senator arbitrarily forbade anyone from walking along that section of the public sidewalk directly in front of his residence. In carrying out the order, soldiers assigned to guard the Senator, on a number of occasions shot at and even wounded at least 2 persons who refused to obey the illegal decree. Needless to say, the victims were indigenous. Plantation-style governance pits the oppressed against one another, which at times results in vicious rivalries to gain favor with the master.  

 

Conclusion: The Sirleaf administration in its first year has reneged on several key promises and for all intents and purposes neglected its obligations to the Liberian people. That Liberia’s traditional allies have yet to open their purses for the reconstruction; and, that the United Nations has out rightly refused to lift the sanctions are further evidence the concerns of citizens are also shared by others. Many had presumed the seating of the Sirleaf government would mean an end to business as usual; on the contrary, it has opted for the status quo ante. What’s now to prevent a return to plantation-style governance? We believe prioritizing healing through justice and reunification through reconciliation will prove more beneficial for the country than projecting a false image abroad. Also, resolving those lingering issues that gave rise to the bloody coup d’etat of 1980 and the brutal 14-year war is crucial to a successful reconstruction. As healing takes hold and the citizens buy in to a progressive agenda forged through mutual respect; the true friends of Liberia, well-wishers, honest investors, and the like, will more likely lend assistance. In the present, the best one can expect are individuals seeking to maximize profit by exploiting internal divisions, which ultimately will lead to further impoverishment of the masses. Hence, we propose the following: 1) Stop funding the current truth and reconciliation farce; 2) Seek cooperation of the UN in establishing a war crime court, and freeze the assets of persons as ordered by the UN; 3) Move aggressively against corruption in government, starting with the prosecution of persons incriminated in the ECOWAS audit; 4) Overhaul the Liberian Ship Registry; 5) Bring into the government a new cadre of technocrats to reflect the new reality. Old wine in new skins is bound to burst; and 6) Begin building consensus to prevent the country from again falling into chaos following the departure of UN troops.

 

 

The author: T. Q. Harris, Jr. is the General Chairman of Liberia Contemporees United Patriotic and Strong (Contemp UPS). His contact information are as follows: Phone: (562) 787-1429; Liberia – 231 (6) 524295; Email: liberia1@charter.net; topquality97@hotmail.com.