THE UGLY FACE OF LIBERIAN POLITICS: WISHING ILL ON OUR LEADERS

AS WE NAVIGATE the complexities of Liberian politics, a disturbing trend has emerged that demands immediate attention and condemnation. The recent spate of wishing ill on national leaders, including the circulation of fake news about the health and well-being of prominent politicians, is a stark reminder of the depths of cruelty and heartlessness that we have sunk to as a society.

IT WAS BAD enough when CDC activists paraded mock caskets purported to be those of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, but it seems that this was just the beginning of a vicious trend. During the 2017 and 2023 elections, the octogenarian age and health of President Joseph Boakai were shamelessly used as a political chip by the CDC, demonstrating a level of callousness that is hard to comprehend.

AND NOW, AS if history is repeating itself, the social media was abuzz with fake news about the supposed death of CDC leader George Weah, with some Liberians gleefully propagating the rumor and others making light of his health. It was only when Weah appeared in live videos attending a FIFA meeting in Morocco that the truth finally came to light.

WHAT IS MOST disturbing is that this behavior is not limited to politicians. It’s a societal problem, where citizens are wishing each other ill and celebrating news of others’ misfortune. We have come a long way since the war, but it seems we have forgotten the lessons of our past. The world watched in horror as we descended into chaos and brutality, and it’s disheartening to see that some of us have forgotten the value of human life and dignity.

AS THE WORLD watches, we are once again being judged, and we are found wanting. The silence of the religious community, the Inter-Faith Council, and the Civil Society is deafening. Where is the moral guidance? Where is the call to civility? The Press Union of Liberia, the Federation of Liberian Youth, and other organizations that claim to be the conscience of society – what do you have to say?

WE SAY ENOUGH Is enough! Liberian politics is already complex and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be this ugly. We have enough real issues to focus on, without resorting to wishing ill on our leaders or using their health as a political tool.

IT IS TIME for Liberians to take a hard look at ourselves and ask, “Is this who we are?” Is this the society we want to build? Do we want to continue down this path of destruction, or do we want to choose a different way?

WE CHOOSE COMPASSION, empathy, and humanity. We choose to respect the dignity of all individuals, including our leaders. We choose to focus on the issues that unite us, rather than those that divide us.

The time for change is now. Let us rise up and demand better from ourselves, our leaders, and our society. We can do better. We must do better. We are calling for an end to this ugly spectacle. There are grave political issues in country by which political parties and politics can sufficient politicize and propagandize, than to use fellow citizens’ health as a political chip. This attitude is unconscionable, heartless and must stop. The time to be human beings, real human beings is now, and Liberians must step up.