Voice of Liberia

Ellen Johnson government signals its inability to govern

By Tamba Dabah Aghailas

August 15, 2006

After building interlocking relationships with countries and companies that deal in arms in exchange for minerals, Liberian politicians are once again consolidating their grip on power less than a year after taking the helm of a country ravaged by decade-long war. The signs are clear – sporadic shootings in and around Monrovia, the intimidation of outspoken citizens, and outright abuse of state resources.

Questions are beginning to emerge: is it due to government’s incompetence to deliver its promises or a blatant disregard for the plight of the people, who have been subjected to so much inhuman treatment?

In a piece published on a Liberian online newspaper, I contended that “Liberia could live up to its promise of ’a free land of liberty with justice and peace for all’ through the government’s resource management expertise. The resources (diamonds, gold, rubber, timber, palm-oil, coffee, cocoa; palm-wine, just to name a few) that adorned the Liberian soil, if manage in a transparent and equitable manner, will give each and every Liberian the chance to benefit from this massive wealth and enable the ordinary people to improve their living standards.” This may not happen anytime soon, as politicians are more concerned with stocking up their personal coffers, than improving living standards of ordinary Liberians.

Rampant corruption not prosecuted

In an ECOWAS audit report published on June 18, 2005, several former government officials were implicated in the embezzlement of state funds and outright abuse of the trust of the people. Former vice interim chairman, Wesley Johnson, former chairman Gyude Bryant, former minister of commerce Samuel Wlue, former finance minister Lusine Kamara, among others are accused of stealing, falsification of official documents, and misappropriating public funds.

President Johnson acknowledged that she was briefed and was given a copy of the report even before she took the oath of office. And yet still, more than a year has gone by, her government is still dragging its feet to prosecute the thieves. In fact, some of those cited in the ECOWAS audit report have been elected or nominated to prominent government positions. Wesley Johnson, for example, has been nominated as ambassador to the United Kingdom pending approval by lawmakers.

Isn’t this a shame to a nation that has been devastated as a result of corruption? Isn’t this an affront to the great human sacrifice the people has made? When shall politicians be held accountable for their corrupt actions?

Why are Liberian lawmakers mute?

Some Liberian lawmakers were elected after they dished out large sums of money to voters; others used their rebel/warlord status to intimidate their constituents in voting for them. While Liberians have yet to see their representatives begin discussing real developmental issues, lawmakers are busy carving out the best deals for themselves in terms of salary and per diems. Civil servants can’t even get $50/month salary.

To further infuriate the people: these guys are afraid to engage the Executive Branch of Government in constructive dialogue because they are watching their backs as former President Taylor awaits trial. Madam Johnson also admitted to funding the defunct rebel movement [NPFL] led by Charles Taylor. They are all cognizant of the fact that the people will demand justice for their roles and brutal actions during the civil war.

For other lawmakers, they are in their dream jobs making tens of thousand of dollars, while average Liberians munch on less than a dollar a day. Hundreds of towns and villages remain without clean drinking water, electricity, primary healthcare, basic education facilities, or road networks. Where is the progress; where have the promises gone?

Reasons for failure

Why do African politicians prefer guns & bombs to real development? Dictators who suppress their people are in dire need to remain in power to protect their ill acquired wealth. Their fear of empowering the people with real tools like: education and decentralized government system that empowers grassroots organizations only reinforce their resolve to suppress their subjects. Examples abound:

Lansana Conteh of Guinea-Conakry has been in power since 1984. He has acquired immense wealth along with his cronies. He is terminally ill and unable to rule, and yet still the man clings unto power.

Late Ayadema of Togo was in power for more than thirty years. When he suddenly died, Lome endured a bloodbath for weeks after his son took power and hastily organized elections that he [the son] eventually won. What a banana democracy! 

The late Sani Abacha of Nigeria stole millions of dollars from oil proceeds to satisfy his thirst for money; money that would have otherwise been used to develop his country. It is only after his death that Nigeria is able to recuperate some of the stolen funds.

For Liberia, former slaves from the Americas and those resuced on international waters who became known as “Congo people and/or Americo-Liberians”, established this tiny nation in July 1847. Successive presidents from this group ruled Liberia with an iron fist and like a family business for over 130 years (1847-1980).

In 1980 Samuel Doe took power in a bloody coup d’etat and yet he squandered an opportunity to bring about lasting democracy. As a result, a fourteen-year civil war sponsored by Liberia’s elites in the Diaspora, of which Ellen Johnson and Charles Taylor were founding members, left over a quarter million people dead and about a million displaced in neighboring countries. No Liberian has been tried for war crimes.

Aren’t the people feed up?

Signs of discontent among ordinary people emanating from Monrovia clearly depict how fed up the people are with Liberian politicians. Ellen Johnson vowed that when elected, her government would provide jobs, security, and basic necessities like water and electricity. Apart from the publicity stunt achieved on July 26 of this year when the government formally re-lighted few spots in Monrovia and reconnected a few public water fountains, there has not been any significant progress in terms of sustainable development.

In terms of security, the government’s most elite Special Security Service (SSS) has become an embarrassment in recent times with the killing of an SSS guard and the burning of the Executive Mansion. The constant arm robberies that take place around Monrovia only encourage investors to stay out of Liberia.

While civil servants strived to convince the government to increase their meager salaries ($30/month), lawmakers allocated large sums to themselves for their personal expenditures, while government ministers are paid hefty salaries and allowances. This old trend has become visible to all Liberians, who are now aware of how the government disregards their real needs.

As reggae icon Marley once said, “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” The Liberian government should know that the people are aware of all its dealings and incompetence. Their [the people] patience is running out. If the government can’t deliver on its promises, it is better to vacate the mansion, for “small shame is better than big shame,” according to a concerned Liberian. And remember, Liberia is not short of capable and honest people.