The Liberian public discourse has been particularly charged in recent weeks as the opposition intensifies its radical stance and government battles a crunching economy inherited upon the takeover of the mantle of power. In such a situation, some protagonists in the fray become highly prone to pick up even the faintest perceived opponent or contrary view to which they dash even a sledgehammer. In any case, it is not exactly known what might have provoked the National Chairperson of the Coalition for Democratic Change, Mulbah Morlue, when he included the President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) in the barrage of verbal furies he spewed out during a meeting of his party last week, saying amongst other things that Rev. Kortu Brown had dined and wined with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration. But the LCC head is not taking the Morlu onslaught lying down. He issued a statement, a copy of which is in the position of The Analyst. See below for Rev. Brown’s INITIAL RESPONSE TO CDC CHAIRMAN MULBAH MORLU ACCUSATION.
MY INITIAL RESPONSE TO CDC CHAIRMAN MULBAH MORLU ACCUSATION:
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Amidst huge public outcry against Government functionaries resurrection and empowerment of former Generals from Liberia’s erstwhile warring factions, the Ruling [Political] Party Chairman, Mr. Mulbah Morlu accused me last week of advocating for a War Crimes Court in Liberia during the Congress for Democratic Change – CDC administration of the country, something I did not do during the administration of former President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, according to Mr. Morlu. This has been widely reported in the media and I have been confronted by the press, friends and families about the allegation made by the CDC Chairman that I was “whining and dinning” with the former government for twelve years and apparently didn’t care to check it on serious national issues like the establishment of a war crimes court. I do not normally respond to a lot of assessment of my person and performance; however, I thought I should bring some clarity to this accusation.
The statement is reckless, unfortunate and untruthful. Mr. Morlu will have to realize that WORDS matter especially depending on your role in the public square. If he has questions about our role in the society, all he needs to do is first find the facts or seek clarifications before going public. Liberia’s newspapers and other outlets follow many of us and can partly attest to our commitment and performance in the country. For example, Front Page Africa June 28, 2017 edition ran a banner headline: “PREMEDITATED ELECTORAL VIOLENCE – BECKONS CONSIDERATION FOR WAR CRIMES COURT IN LIBERIA” where I am quoted as saying that “I think the lingering proposal for a war crimes court for Liberia should not be out-rightly rejected or taken off the table. I think we need a deterrence here to ensure that the democratic gains so far, peace and stability of the nation are protected. The rule of law is the foundation of any democratic state….” The people around me and even in the LCC know my stance on many of the issues before and even now
I reiterated the same comments earlier this year, 2019 during the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) News Service assessment interview of President George M. Weah’s first year in office. I emphasized that Liberians were tired of war and that they wanted peace. That’s why, I insisted, there has to be a deterrence here to prevent people from resulting to violence or war as a way of settling our political arguments or questions. Further to that, I informed the BBC that the Liberia Council of Churches resolved in 2009, about ten years ago to support the FULL IMPLEMENTATION of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report when United Methodist Bishop John G. Innis served as President. During the LCC 32nd General Assembly in November 2018 where I presided as President, that position was re-confirmed. The President of the All Africa Conference of Churches, President of the National Council of Churches in the United States of America and Associate General Secretary of the World Evangelical Alliance, amongst others participated in the assembly.
I have been thinking about the motive behind Mr. Morlu’s remarks to the media in the midst of growing tension in the country. IF he spoke before a gathering of supporters of CDC including Ex-Generals, was he identifying me as one of the “enemies” or “obstacles” to the progress of the CDC Government? I HOPE NOT! Otherwise, my wife, children, family, church, LCC, Ecumenical Partners worldwide and the General Public will have to take note. I am a peaceful person. I love my country and people. That’s why I have continued to live and work from Liberia. I want to see the country rise up to its full potential and live up to its true meaning, the Land of Liberty. That’s why I believe we must hold CDC and its government accountable so it can deliver on its promises. My advocacy – and by extension that of the LCC knows no boundary. People in the CDC can attest to that including Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, Minister of State Nathanial McGill, amongst others – even when they were in the Opposition.
During this Easter celebration, I urge all Liberians – and even foreigners within our borders, to reflect and recommit ourselves to working for a better Liberia which has to be built on truth-telling, love for one another, peace, reconciliation, democracy, sacrifice, tolerance, respect for human rights and the rule of law, amongst others. These virtues are within our reach. Let’s strive
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