MONROVIA – Love her or hate her for whatever reason one chooses, there is no gainsay that former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is one to mince her words no matter the occasion. Even at this crucial twilight era of her personal and global achievements, the enigma who many have come to affectionately dub as “The Iron Lady” because of her natural penchant of speaking truth to power continues to illuminate her larger-than-life persona not only by means of her towering accomplishments at home and abroad, but by dint of the uncompromising willingness with which she continues to serve her country and the global community even at a ripe old age when many of her peers have lost the verve and energy to do so. Having recently addressed the United Nations as one of venerable anointed global Elder Citizens, Madam Sirleaf captured the attention of world leaders to the portending universal uncertainties that threaten the existence of humanity. The Analyst in his special Report delves into Madam Sirleaf’s mindset at that point and further dives into what she sees as the nagging problems that are stalling development in her country.
Appearing on the state-run ELBC “Changing Minds, Changing Attitude” program recently, former President Sirleaf spoke enthusiastically about her latest foray at the United Nations Security Council where she spoke passionately as one of The Elders, a conglomeration of former world leaders brought together to deliberate on issues affecting nations.
“I was very much welcomed by all the audience who were there, Liberians as well as other colleagues who went there. So, I did what I had to do, I carried out my responsibility as a leader of a country. Simple as that.
“At the security council, I speak in a different way. I was not speaking there on Liberian issues. I was speaking there as a member of The Elders, these former presidents and former high-level leaders, and saying to them some of the things that I have expected in these trying times, in these global uncertainties, that the Security Council had to act. The Security Council could not be silent and be absent while there are wars, so much suffering of people, and that is their mandate, that is their responsibility.
“The person who was chairing that session was the President of Sierra Leone. He was there as a member of the Security Council. Someone from one of the European countries was also there as a co-chair. I spoke as an elder. As elders, we have every right to intervene in global matters and express our opinion fully,” former President Sirleaf intoned.
As a reminder of her bold stance on global inequalities fueled by man-made conflicts, Sirleaf did not mince her words at that September 2024 United Security Council gathering.
“The UN is known world-wide for its peacekeeping, including in my own country, Liberia, where after 14 years of civil war, peacekeeping operations played a crucial role in securing peace.
“Sadly, peacekeeping is broken at a time when it is needed more than ever. Existing missions are closing, without resolution of the underlying conflict. And for emergent conflicts, there is neither political will for engaging peacekeepers, nor sufficient troops to place on the ground, as many countries who might normally commit personnel have to deal with conflicts within their own borders.
“Leadership for peace is essential to address these destabilizing conflicts, and the existential threats facing all humanity – the climate crisis, nuclear proliferation and the risk of pandemics.
“When the world looks to the UN for leadership in the face of these threats, it looks first to the Security Council. But this Council is widely seen to be ineffective.
“Reform is urgent and overdue. The Council must be fit for the world of 2025 and beyond, not a relic from 1945.
“To build on the momentum of the Pact for the Future, The Elders call for a coalition to launch a reform process and drive negotiations for a more representative and effective Security Council. The General Assembly should play a critical role, as it did during the only successful previous reform of the Council.
“Distinguished members of the Council, we live in daunting times. And these times demand honesty, integrity and commitment. So, let me close by asking the leaders of today – how long can we go on working under a system that is clearly failing? How long until it breaks, and we are faced with a catastrophe similar to that which forced the UN into being?
“The time for excuses is past, and with great respect, we ask you to act. Do not let us down,” said Liberia’s Iron Lady so passionately in a tone reminiscent of her heydays of political struggle in her own native land Liberia.
Homeland Issues: Youth Empowerment, Corruption
Addressing one of the most important issues that keeps haunting governments in her own country, Madam Sirleaf hit the nail on the coffin by pinpointing the dearth of quality education as an underpinning factor undermining youth empowerment. She also spoke about the need to prioritize integrity institutions and demotivate corrupt tendencies within officialdom.
“One of those things that we haven’t done in this country, and I include myself and my administration, is to give proper, quality education to our youths. Because if they did, they would be able to compete not only in jobs in the private sector but jobs out of this country. Our education system has always been not at the full level as required to make our young people competitive globally, but it is also deteriorating in some of the past few years.
“I just saw a complete analysis of the education system and truly, it’s confounding; it’s something that every leader in this country must read. It will take us 146 years for us to have the education that enables our young people to be competitive.
“Short of trying to do the reforms that are necessary, systemic and structural, we can still do something. How can we meet with groups, debate with groups, and try to improve technical education? And I know questions will come up. You train them in technical education, they’ve got to have a job. And that is correct. You can train a person, but if they can’t apply those skills in a self-sustaining way, then you must create jobs. Jobs require industries. Industries require private capital. We cannot be sustained based on development aid, because today, aid is declining. These people are spending most of the money on wars, on conflicts, on their own issues.
“Climate change requires a massive amount that they must commit to. Artificial Intelligence is moving in a different direction. So, unless we do the private sector and help each other, you will not get private capital in a country that is full of confusion. It affects the confidence of the country. And when this happens, it takes effect on the monetary system, investment, and the capacity of government to provide those social programs that make the youths prepared to compete and take responsibility.
“We badly need private sector investment to deal with our electricity and energy system which is vital for our industries and our road system which is vital for transporting,” former President Sirleaf lamented.
Speaking on the issue of integrity in government, Sirleaf admitted that the sustenance of integrity remains a serious issue.
“Honesty is an issue. I am not saying it’s only today. It’s been with us for a long time. Every administration, mine included. We should have continuity of those things that worked, those systems that must impose integrity, or punishment for those that violate integrity. Every time we sit and allow that autonomy that is required in the system to protect the resources of the country to fail, we undermine ourselves, that great potential that is out there, that I and others who have contacts that we can use, that your own president can use to bring investment. But if those who have authority are not the ones that will set an example, then this country is doomed.
“We love our country; we have made personal investments here. Some of us have suffered for our country. But we must pull together and do better. But the day we say we don’t have hope in our country, then we are finished. Yes, we must hope, but we must turn hope into action,” Madam Sirleaf implored.
Regarding the current leadership stalemate brewing within the House of Representatives, former President Sirleaf reserved comments until the Supreme Court ruling which is expected sooner than later.
“I did make a statement on this matter and that statement was carried. The weight of that statement was that silence makes us culpable. Anyway, this matter is before the high court, the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter of any decision. I cannot interfere at this stage when the matter is before the court. I cannot have an opinion. We all must now wait and let the Supreme Court render its decision, then if we want to address that decision, it can be done at that time,” Madam Sirleaf stated cautiously.
The Elders
The concept originates from a conversation between the entrepreneur Richard Branson and the musician Peter Gabriel. The idea they discussed was simple: many communities look to their elders for guidance, or to help resolve disputes. In an increasingly interdependent world – a ‘global village’ – could a small, dedicated group of individuals use their collective experience and influence to help tackle some of the most pressing problems facing the world today?
Peter and Richard took the idea to Nelson Mandela who went on to gather a group of global leaders to discuss the potential of such an idea. Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and others led the development of the concept and, in July 2007, on Mandela’s birthday, The Elders held its inaugural meeting.
The Iron Lady, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s only presidential Nobel laureate, and Africa’s first female president, is one of the most influential members of The Elders.
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