The graves are not full: The tale of Charles Taylor

Introduction: Liberian History has never been captured in a vivid story telling picturesque narrative that leaves you thinking and wondering about  Africa's first republic, the nation state, and the people that populate its borders.... to say that the Liberian war was gruesome is to put a blunt argument on the table, while leaving out the most important details the mouth refuse to speak. It is not uncommon in Liberia, for people to shun the past as if it never existed. For example, Liberian intellectuals and the media seldom talk about Fernado Po and Liberia humiliation in world affairs between 1923 and 30.The excessive greed for political power in the country and the ritualistic killings which has always been part of the culture, that saw a climax with Allen Yancy and others being hung in 1979 by the Tolbert regime! Tubman, and his shameless despotic 27 years rule. Samuel Doe and his naked use of power in disregard to civil liberties, all these episodes and others are being gradually forgotten. It is as if to say Liberians should reconcile at all cost and forget the past, as if it never existed. Retelling the past should be part of the reconciliation and healing process say some analysts, to remind ourselves constantly what happened to the country we all love dear and how we got here, thereby serving as a guide to the future. The work of Bill Berkeley in this piece speaks for itself, He has written one of the best chapters on Liberia from his 2001 book: 

Comprehensive Analysis of the Presidential Candidates

By: tewroh-wehtoe sungbeh


Introduction: Sungbeh, the web publisher of the Atlanta based Liberian Dialogue in this piece gives his analysis on the candidates in the upcoming Liberian elections. The polls are being hotly contested, and should serve as a bench mark on how far Liberia has come since the last 2005 elections. A peaceful and successful electioneering process free of violence  and seen as fair should solidify democracy and transition the country well from war to peace, say analysts.

Liberia's foreign policy under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

H.E. Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Introduction: Moses Josephus Gray, a young Liberian diplomat and longtime media practitioner and journalist currently posted to the Liberian Embassy in Pairs France is of the view that under the Johnson Sirleaf administration, the foreign policy initiatives of Liberia has seen a major boost as Africa's first independent country pick up the pieces from war to peace. He says " Our nation was view by the outside world as a failed state. But with the extraordinary display of diplomatic modus operandi and sound leadership, Liberia has since regained its status among the comity of nations..." Mr Gray wants Johnson Sirleaf reelected to another six years term.

Weah and the CDC claims must be investigated!

By: ralph geeplay

The football maestro turn politician George Weah

This week in Monrovia, George Weah, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) vice standard bearer issued strong worded accusations in the Liberian capital against the Liberian presidency and the presidential candidate of the ruling Unity Party standard bearer Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Presidential Age Requirement Is More than Just a Number!!

President Sirleaf &  Vice President Boikah

Introduction: Jackson, a rising Liberian sociopolitical commentator is arguing that the Liberian presidency is aged old, accordingly, the president and the vice president respectively. He posits that if the unity party this election circle had chosen a young professional or technocrat as a vice presidential candidate that gesture would have gone a long way in stabilizing the political future of the country, and thereby appealing to the youth who make about 60 percent of the population. Says Jackson, " But I am honestly worried about the future complexities of two aging old leaders at the helm of power for the next six years."

Winston Tubman and his Congress for Democratic Change

By ralph geeplay

                  
                     Tubman and Weah feel off the crowd in Monrovia

Winston Tubman and his Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) are showing their true colors as national elections approaches. They are showing the Liberian people the other side of the coin. That coin being the violent bearing with which its partisans have behaved constantly since 2005, resulting to violence every opportunity that arises to express their displeasure with the body politics of which they are part. This certainly, is a tell tale says analysts that they will not accept anything short of electoral victory when the presidential and legislative elections result are announced later this year by the National Elections Commission of Liberia.

Hello Christina Tah

By: ralph geeplay

Christina Tah

Introduction: As Liberians enter a crucial election year, security remains a paramount yard stick by which to gauge the Sirleaf administration’s handling of the nation’s safety since she assumed the mantle of state in 2005. A lot of pundits argue that lawlessness is pervasive: armed robbery, rape, mob justice, to name a few. The rule of law has seen undersized efforts from the Unity Party led government and much needs to be done as the country grapples with its stability in the aftermath of war. For example, is there a data base for criminals in the country and that of former combatants in the wake of a deadly uncivil war...? The high profile murder of Keith Jubah, in November 2009, a Sirleaf confidant and chief of the National Procurement Commission highlights a Liberia teeming with violence and armed banditry. Last week also witness an ugly election violence and threats on several candidates across the country, and prominently against Lenn Eugene Nagbe of the ruling Unity Party. The below piece was written in Sept. 2, 2009, highlighting these issues.