The Liberia's ballots of Pain

Posted by: Dr. Joseph Ozigis Akomodi

Written by: Miriam Ikunaiye

The Liberia's ballots of Pain

Liberia was a viable and thriving community before ‘founded’ in 1821 for the settlement of freed American slaves. The Americo-Liberian minority controlled the country's politics and economics for years before the first indigenous; Sergeant Doe came to power by means of coup de tat in 1980. Since then power struggle between the indigenous and the settlers fueled by two-faced international bodies results to 14-year long civil war.

The country's first election since the end of the war said to be massively tinted given the lead to the less popular candidate —True account from the masses who suffered the most.

The idea of war-torn Liberia to be run by oligarchs is another misplaced international interest. History has it; oligarchy system of government runs well only by dictatorial. To ignore history at the expense of the masses is tragic. The CDC would not hesitate to dwell on the extent to which election was manipulated to favor the opponent. However, the agreement by CDC to back down in light of peace that Liberia so sought for is commendable.

The vital question for Liberia is whether it is ready for a quasi-democratic oligarchy and takes a slow but steady path to becoming a normal democratic nation where war is no longer an option or take a hostile approach and risk losing more innocent lives and gaining bad publicity. Unlike previous choices, this decision must not be made on a single day by a single person. Rather, it must be made by Liberian leaders and the ordinary citizens alike, over the coming years and without international involvement.

Reason for peace must not cloud the fact that the indigenous who is the majority suffers injustice and inequality and its consequences should not be underestimated. Contrary to the widespread selective judgment by the international bodies, the past Liberian leaders are all guilty of the same charges —corruption, Suppression of press and other civil liberties, and constitutions obeyed only when convenient.

From international stance point; it’s all business, moral is not part of the game. However, the overly aggression in pursuit of the so call “international interests” have proven many time to worsen solvable situation. Lack of standardize international policies when it comes to African nations have proven utterly ineffective in whatever measures it undertook as in the case of Liberia.

Without a doubt, Africa need to grow a backbone but for now, Africa’s democracy is weak, with unfair election campaigns, a compromised media, and few checks on the presidency. Yet, Africa cannot afford to let Liberia descend into chaos once more.