By David K. Dahn
The late Emmanuel Z. Bowier knew so much about the workings of the Liberian Government given his contemporary space. Not only that Bowier spoke of what happened before his very eyes, but he also had a good historical reflection of the actors in the Liberian governance system.
Bowier firmly critiqued Liberia’s governance system whenever he had the opportunity to make public discourses. And one of the famous sayings that I captured from the Late Bowier is “Liberia’s case is hard to talk.” Whatever the late Bowier meant by that still remains coded. But when he made the statement once upon the time I listened, the statement was in reaction to how the issue of corruption could be robustly dealt with by any Liberian leader at the level of the executive.
He was clear that it was difficult to handle or prosecute corrupt officials due to either tribal link, regional link, fraternal link, religious connectivity, belonging to the same alma mater, marital link, etc.
Has anything changed or has Bowier’s assertion proven wrong in today’s contemporary politics in Liberia? Certainly, I don’t think so and to put it plainly, nothing has ever changed over successive regimes.
In hindsight, during the reign of Madam Sirleaf, there were “sacred cows”, who couldn’t be touched when it came to perceive or real accusation of administrative corruptions. Where it became clear that a case was prosecutable it never happened. Just an instance, as was in NOCAL’s case. Then I reflect on Bowier’s assertion that indeed “Liberia’s case is hard to talk”.
Next in line came President Weah and the rhythm was clear and loud-“This is our time to….” Again when the last days of the regime was creeping out, it was fire, fire fire burning all over some public offices; the National Transit Authority’s vault, Ministry of Finance, Liberia Telecommunication Corporation, Ministry of Transport and a host of other flagrant perceived and real cases involving corruption, murder, abuse of public office, etc.. But again, nothing happened to correct those flaws in the governance system. Interestingly, today I hear partisans and sympathizers of the former ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) saying, Boakai didn’t fix the road to the south east in 100 days. But the party was in charge for six years with all the major political actors hailing from the southeastern part of the country. Yet they deserted the development of the region and now by political spinning, expect a 100-day magic. The same people the CDC met in the slum communities of Kru Town, West Point, Clara Town, Sayon Town, still reside under the same harshest of condition you left them in when the party ruled for six years. Yet I hear the party rallying the same down trodden people left in the same Duu River to vote the party back in 2029. Then, I again reflect on Bowier and realize for sure that “Liberia’s case is hard to talk” for sure.
After six years of “political sabbatical” from national governance, the Unity Party (UP) made a dramatic comeback and snatch the presidency from the CDC. The electorates had hoped that the UP would do things differently in terms of governance. But it seems the story is no different. Just as the CDC was dominated by southeastern appointees, the UP is accused so soon of similar slippage and when appointments where been made by President Boakai, it got at a point when some Liberians began to sarcastically shout “Lofa–o-Yeaa”, “Lofa-all-the way”. In my mind the electorates didn’t vote for President Boakai to provide jobs as appeasement to allies but to see a change in the developmental pattern of this County which got its independence way in 1847. Truly as I reflect, then I once again remember the proponent voice of Bowier echoing in my ears- my brother, “Liberia’s case is hard to talk.”
Under the watchful eyes of President Boakai, officials of his government have become flagrantly disrespectful to the rule of law by refusing to do simple thing like declaration of their assets. And Mr. President you are practically begging them to obey constitutional requirement? Ahhhh, I can’t fathom this but again “Liberia’s case is really hard to talk.”
We (Liberians) overwhelmingly voted the UP on the mantra of a “rescue mission”. The nation deserves better and rightfully the expectations are high.
Mr. President, what has happened to the report into the Soldiers’ wives demands for which Major General(?) Prince Charles Johnson, III, couldn’t assume the position as Defense Minister? What has happened to the report as it relates to the suspension of the leadership at Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)? What is obtaining at the Ministry of Public Works which is now engulfed with another show of force from your appointees and with accusation of USD$22million been allegedly misused?
Now, let me sway a bit to the Amin Modad’s USD$96,000.00 luxury car case which took center stage in a wrecked economy as ours. From the veil of ignorance, I am tempted to ask the following probing questions: What was Modad thinking about when he decided to venture into such a lavished expenditure for selfish comfort at the expense of the people of this country? Was Modad forced to resign as a nephew or did he actually do it at his free will? What if Modad had not resigned, would the President have mustered the courage to fire him? Will Modad be made to answer questions about the motive for his action at any antigraft institution or its all bye-bye and go and sin no more? Different regime and the same old thing. Again really, “Liberia’s case is hard to talk.”
At the Ministry of Education, cogent reports now have it that the whole vetting process for the selection of district education officers and county education officers has been politicized and thrown out of merit. I will not be surprised if the education minister gets frustrated and pack off. Again really, “Liberia’s case is hard to talk.”
When frantic efforts are being made by our international partners to restore dignity to this economically ravaged nation, some selfish characters have now found their avenue of enrichment under this new UP’s arrangement.
Mr. President, Liberians didn’t elect you to complaint to them about your appointees who are not fit for statecraft. Liberians didn’t elect you to make people recover their lost personal wealth at the expense of the country. No, Liberians didn’t elect you to have a few groups of “wise people” turning you, their ways.
By plagiarizing the words of the venerated human rights lawyer, Counsellor Tiawon Saye Gongloe, I am tempted to join him ask, “What kind of Country is this” that doesn’t change its tactics of progression from one regime to another?