LETTER FROM SACLEPEA-The Hypocrisy We Must Confront
Watching American democracy at work, I keep returning to a painful question: How can we celebrate the acceptance of our people abroad while defending the rejection of our own people at home?
We cheer when Americans elect Liberians who arrived there as immigrants. We applaud when voters look beyond birthplace and religion. Yet some of those celebrating turn around and tell me, “You are capable. You can lead. But Liberia is not ready for a Mandingo. Liberia is not ready for a Muslim.”
What a terrible answer to give a country crying out for leadership.
Across Liberia, communities have family ties beyond our borders. The Kissi of Lofa have relatives in Guinea and Sierra Leone. The Mano of Nimba and the Kpelle of Bong have connections in Guinea. The Gio and Krahn have kin across the Ivorian border.
Vai and Gola communities in western Liberia share longstanding ties with Sierra Leone. These relationships existed before the borders that now separate us. Why should such connections become grounds for suspicion only when the person is Mandingo?
Investigate any allegation of unlawful registration or voting on evidence, with the same standard for everyone. No tribe should carry collective guilt, and no citizen should have to defend his belonging because others share his name across a border.
Our own history exposes the contradiction. Liberia’s republic was established by settlers from abroad on land already inhabited by African communities. Our first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, was born in Virginia. Several early presidents were born outside Liberia. 11 of Liberia’s 24 individual presidents were born outside Liberia. Ten were born in the United States and one in Barbados. We teach their names proudly. Yet a Liberian born here, to parents born here, is still told that his tribe makes him somehow less entitled to serve.
And the contradiction goes further.
We celebrate the completed road from Gbarnga to Salayea in Lofa, financed with support from the Saudi Fund, the Kuwait Fund, BADEA, the OPEC Fund, and our own government. We welcome the Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu, funded by the United Arab Emirates. We applaud agreements with Arab development partners that bring millions of dollars toward roads, electricity and better lives.
We welcome these contributions because our people need them. Nobody asks a hospital to declare its religion before treating a patient. Nobody refuses a road because a Muslim nation helped finance it. Why, then, should a Liberian’s Muslim faith become an objection when he offers his knowledge, resources and commitment to the same national development?
Even our painful wartime history demands honesty. Taylor’s movement received training and support from Libya, while Burkina Faso helped with recruitment, training, and arms transfers. Those who supported his campaign against Samuel Doe did not treat Libya’s Muslim identity as a reason to reject that support. They said Liberia needed liberation. The suffering that followed must never be excused. But how can Muslim support be acceptable in a power struggle, while a Muslim citizen becomes unacceptable in a peaceful contest to serve?
Our people are not hungry because they are Kpelle, Gio, Kissi, Krahn, or Mandingo. Children are not out of school because their parents worship in a mosque or a church. These hardships cross every religious and tribal line. They persist because leadership has failed to meet the needs of the people.
Since Madam Sirleaf left office, I have wanted to hear our leaders sit before the nation and explain their vision freely and in depth. Beyond a prepared speech, can they discuss the economy, defend their decisions, and explain how families will earn a living? Can they answer difficult questions without retreating into slogans?
That is the examination Liberia needs.
I am a Muslim. I am a Mandingo. I am a Liberian. Examine my record. Challenge my competence, integrity and plans. Demand answers from me. But do not replace that examination with prejudice.
Two of my daughters have developed an interest in politics. I want them, and every Liberian child, to inherit a country where ability receives a fair hearing and citizenship requires no ancestral defense.
We follow America in so much. Let us also learn from those moments when its voters look beyond identity and give people the opportunity to serve. We can build that courage here.
I will confront this prejudice peacefully and openly. Our mothers need functioning hospitals. Our children need classrooms. Our families need livelihoods. Their suffering is too urgent for us to keep debating which tribe or religion deserves the chance to help end it.
Have a wonderful week.