CAN MADAM ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF TRULY BOAST OF ENCOURAGING POLITICAL DISSENT?

CAN MADAM ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF TRULY BOAST OF ENCOURAGING POLITICAL DISSENT?

By Edmond R. Gray

Political dissent is one of the milestone accomplishments that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration brags about. The question remains, that being one of the oldest independent republics in the world, 163 years actually, does its citizens truly coexist as a people alongside their political differences? Our temperament as a people does suggest that we are still, deeply divided. Firstly, those who believe that political dissent has been achieved under Madam Sirleaf are only doing so to beef up their self-esteems. In retrospect, as a people, we still don’t have the guts to stand those who disagree with our political choices. We pursue those who are opposed to our sides in politics.  

Firstly, it is difficult to measure the political temperament of a government, which is largely protected by the guns of the United Nations. Among the canal reasons for the creation of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), is to encourage the rule of law, sustain the peace process, through the protection of freedom of political opinions. Most of us do not take this noble responsibility of the UN into account, when we measure the so-called accomplishment in Liberia. No need to mention how much whipping the UN took for sitting by in D. R. Congo, while over 5000 women were repeatedly raped.  

The truth is, in the midst of a UN observer’s mission in Liberia, no one can truly test the validity of the freedom of opinions in Liberia. It can only be tested when the UN departs. The UN has always intervened on occasions when the Morlues and Cephases were locked up for falling on the wrong side of the administration. Aside from that, what we imagine to be divergent of political views is a false sense of hope that is rooted in our quest for freedom as a nation. It is a false sense of hope that has its basis in our phony start as a so-called colony of the United States of America, or the church group, the ACS. 

Little should I mention the fact that, as a people, we have not established those political institutions to nurture our unreal democracy into a real democracy? For instance, a number of Liberians have not been educated of their political and individual rights. Nor have the strategies for the creation of these institutions, which educate Liberians of their rights, been created. Most Liberians don’t even know what their rights are. As a people, our preoccupation has largely been, making the case for nation-statehood. Those who preceded us as forefathers and mothers, wrestled among themselves, as to who was truly Liberian. Some believed that the atypical coloration of their skins made them more Liberians than others. One group defined Liberian citizenship as one who was born in the US, or by people of American descent. That system plagued us as a people, till, 1980.

Then we saw ourselves in a debilitating system of tribal bigotry. And no need to dwell on the nihilistic war, which devastated us a people in search of a unique identity. A number of middle age Liberians cannot account for a decent upbringing that was not marred by the fight for political powers. And if history has it straight, people like Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf are some of the generic makeup of our nation’s political identity. It is ironic that these same aging politicians, who wrestled with each other four or so decades ago, are still competing for political powers, well into this new millennium. 

Some argue that our organic laws have not restricted anyone from participating in Liberian politics based on age. True. But those same laws have given us the guidelines for retiring from public service. As a people, if we are to find a way forward, we must respect the rights of all Liberians to freely participate in exercises that are guaranteed by our laws. Therefore, Madam Sirleaf has the right to run for political office for as long as she sees fit. 

My contention with the exercise of Madam Sirleaf’s rights is one suffocated by moralism. It is one that says if we are to be taken seriously, as adult, we must abide by our promises made to others. You see, I hail and respect Comrade Nelson Mandela, who for all reasons, could have held on to the power that sent him to Robin Island for the brunt of his productive life as a citizen of the Zululand. However, his words are his bond. He is aware that if we are to be taken seriously, we must abide by what we professed today. Like Madam Sirleaf, he promised to run for one term, and despite many appeals to rerun, he never allowed himself to be lowered to political chicanery. My word, is my bond, he told his sympathizers in straight Ndebele but rhetorical accent. “Our true democracy as South Africans can only be tested, when others are granted the opportunities to lead”, Mandela said.  

Political dissent is only permeable through political will. However, in Liberia, the ability for people to hold on to their positions is stifled by presidential gifts or favors and personal integrity. For instance, during her recent visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, a number of well meaning opposition figures were requested by the president to accompany her on that trip. In orthodox terms, no one in their right mind will turn down an offer from the president of an African nation. But in essence, this is not only a violation of one’s fundamental freedom of association as guaranteed by the Liberian constitution; it is a despicable act that comes with a clear motive. The fact is, in the midst of poverty, only few people can truly exercise dissent. But who pays for those trips. Are those paid for with tax payer’s money, or from the personal purse of the president? This is a public policy concern that must be addressed. I truly believe that every veteran Liberian politician that survived the wrath of Tubman and Doe must have a compelling reason to sustain our fragile democracy. But some believe that we are well on our way to a one party system.

Whatever the motives for her rerun, one wonders if Madam Sirleaf’s age and health will give her the luxury to successfully serve a second term, if she wins? If this is the case, is she contesting to hand over power to an establishment that will foster her personal welfare? If the latter is true, is that a genuine reason to reward her with power for a second time? Besides, running for political office is all this woman ever understands; the question is would she want to be remembered as the first female African president who was defeated in office? Ohm, I doubt it. But let’s wait and see.

Edmond Gray blogs on http://remiegray.blogspot.com, he is the Founder and President of The Wish Center, a human rights organization that defends the rights of Africans, everywhere, www.wish-center.org. He can be reached at 763-447-1063 or remiegray@gmail.com