A high-ranking delegation from the Fula community under the banner of the Fullah Progressive Union of Liberia (FPU) is appealing to President Joseph Boakai to address pressing issues affecting their well-being and political representation.
The meeting, held at the Executive Mansion, centered on allegations of discrimination, marginalization, and the Fula community’s longstanding call for official recognition as a tribe in Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, FPU president Alhaji Sangare Kamara highlighted instances where members of the Fula community faced obstacles in obtaining or renewing national documents due to their names and ethnicity.
“Mr. President, our people have been denied access to national documents in the country just because of their names,” Kamara stated.
He further alleged that some state authorities seized Fula community members’ documents during renewal processes or subjected them to unwarranted interrogation.
“The Liberia Business Registry will seize our documents when we attempt to renew them, forcing us to go through unnecessary processes that are not required by law. Immigration officers often remove us from vehicles and question the legitimacy of our documents. This is unfair, Mr. President,” Kamara added.
The delegation also urged President Boakai to consider appointing qualified Fula individuals to government positions, emphasizing that such inclusion would enhance understanding and address concerns effectively.
Kamara further stressed the importance of formally recognizing the Fula as an official ethnic group in Liberia, arguing that such recognition would grant them legitimacy and enable access to resources and programs aimed at promoting diversity.
Despite their grievances, the Fula delegation expressed gratitude to President Boakai for appointing Sheikh Y. Jalloh, a member of their community, as a board member of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC).
“This appointment demonstrates your willingness to engage with our community, and we deeply appreciate it,” Kamara said.
President Boakai attentively listened to the delegation’s concerns and assured them that their grievances would be thoroughly investigated.
He also promised to consider their requests in the near future.
The meeting highlights the ongoing struggle of Liberia’s Fula community for recognition and equitable treatment, reflecting broader conversations about inclusion and representation in the nation’s socio-political framework.
