The Fullah Progressive Union of Liberia (FPUL) is leading efforts to incorporate the Fullah community in the Liberian society.
It is believed that the Fullahs are nomadic merchants without a verified region or county of origin in Liberia and therefore the argument has been that the tribe is adamant when it comes to intermarriage, which makes it somewhat impossible to fully integrate with the other tribes.
The conversation has since sparked a national debate, with issues of historical, legal, political, social and sentimental implications arising and fueling opinions on why the Fullahs should or should not be fully integrated.
The president of FPUL, Alhaji Abrahim Sangare, the Secretary, Sulaiman Jalloh, as well as the former Montserrado County’s District 12 representative candidate, Abdurahman Barry, Artemus Gaye, student activist Mohammed Sy and others in the diaspora appeared on the Spoon Talk on Saturday, August 24, 2024, elaborating on the discrimination faced by the Fullahs and why the ethnic group should be recognized, included and treated like any other ethnic group in Liberia.
One of the presenters, Chernor A. Diallo, a recent graduate of Harvard University, said the 1986 Constitution clearly states in Article 27(a), “All persons who, on the coming into force of this Constitution were lawfully citizens of Liberia shall continue to be Liberian citizens,” and consequently, before the revision of the Constitution in 1986, the Fullah tribe was already permanent in Liberia, with a recognized tribal governor under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, just like the other tribes.
He said he is confused that the Fullahs are still being marginalized, discriminated against and excluded from national issues on the basis of their surnames and for not being a part of recognized tribes in Liberia.
The fanatics are of the opinion that the Fullah tribe is contributing greatly to the growth and development of the country, in addition to their presence here before the Declaration of Independence.
They argued that, in as much as the Fullahs migrated from elsewhere to come to Liberia, all the other tribes that claim Liberian heritage hold the same history; and so there is no need to discriminate against the Fullahs only because they were not mentioned in Dr. Joseph Saye Guannu’s history book.
But a lengthy essay written by Cheick Ousmane Toure, a Project Management Specialist based in the United States, has proffered what many has termed an accepted concept toward the full integration of the Fullah community into the Liberian society.
Toure, too, argued that embracing intermarriage stands out as a vital pathway for enhancing social integration among the Fullah community in Liberia.
He said, while it is essential to honor one’s religious beliefs and cultural practices, the willingness to engage in intermarriage with individuals from other ethnic backgrounds can significantly contribute to building bridges of understanding, and that such marriages often create intricate familial bonds that transcend ethnic barriers, enabling partners to share and celebrate each other’s traditions.
Over time, he said, such relationships foster mutual respect and empathy, which are critical for dismantling biases and prejudices that may exist. According to him, by exploring these unions, the Fullah community not only expands their social networks but also cultivates alliances that enrich the cultural landscape of Liberia.
He further proffered the promotion of inclusive business ventures, active political participation, economic revitalization initiatives, educational exchanges and programs, and collaborative community projects.
Toure underscored that, by officially recognizing the Fullah as a vital ethnic group through inclusive measures, Liberia can again celebrate its diversity and unity.
“Upholding equality and diversity among all ethnicities, including the Fullah, is a testament to Liberia’s commitment to inclusivity and progress. Let’s continue to build a nation where every community is valued and empowered to contribute to Liberia’s shared prosperity,” he wrote in his essay, titled, “The Path to Full Integration for the Fullah Community in Liberia.”
