By Bill W. Cooper
River Gee County Senator, Francis Dopoe, has expressed serious concern over the increasing involvement of Liberia’s traditional leaders into the body politics and other political activities across the country.
The River Gee County Senator emphasized the need for traditional leaders to remain impartial and non-partisan in political affairs, stressing that their involvement in the body politics of the country undermines the democratic process and can lead to conflicts within the community.
Speaking recently in open plenary, Sen. Dopoe highlighted the important role that traditional leaders play in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the State, and as such, the need for their neutrality during electioneering periods can never be overemphasized.
According to him, their primary focus should be on promoting unity and development within their respective communities, and not to sway political opinions or endorse specific candidates, which has the propensity to cause chaos and disputes during elections.
The Lawmaker’s remarks came following allegations of a growing influence of traditional leaders, headed by Chief Zanzan Karwor, who have been actively participating in political campaigns and endorsing candidates for various positions.
The actions of some traditional leaders have since raised serious concerns about their potential to unduly influence electoral outcomes and undermine the principles of free, fair, and transparent elections.
The issue of traditional leaders’ involvement in politics has sparked a broader debate within the country, with opinions divided on the extent to which they should be allowed to participate in political activities.
While some argue in favor of traditional leaders exercising their right to engage in political discourse, others emphasize the need for them to remain neutral in order to preserve the integrity of the political system, to play the twin-mother role, solving elections disputes.
But Sen. Dopoe, giving his experience from the just ended October 10, 2023, general and presidential elections, underscored the need for traditional leaders to adhere to their traditional roles and responsibilities, and refrain from engaging in partisan politics.
He warned, “Colleagues, this is a serious issue that should claim our attention before it’s too late. So, it is important for us to ensure that these traditional leaders maintain their neutrality, acting as unifying figures, rather than becoming embroiled in politicking.
Sen. Dopoe then stressed the importance of upholding democratic values and principles, and called for measures to ensure the independence and impartiality of traditional leaders in political matters.
He proposed that traditional leaders should be guided by a code of conduct that prohibits their direct involvement in partisan politics, in order to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process, serving as peacemaker in times of electoral upheaval during and after future elections.
As the country prepares for future elections and political transitions, the question of traditional leaders’ involvement in politics is likely to remain a topic of significant debate and deliberation from politicians and Liberians across the country.
