“Weah Govt. Playing Deaf Ears to Citizens’ Plight” -LP Outlines Contradictions of Pres. Weah’s Annual Message

MONROVIA: The opposition Liberty Party has an enviable record for being among the topnotch political institutions in Liberia to meticulously scrutinize past Presidential Annual Messages, dating from the 12 years era of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Following in the tradition of the party’s founder, the late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, the Liberty Party on Tuesday delivered a scathing retort to President Weah’s Fifth Annual Message to the 54 Legislature, outlining what the opposition sees as those grievous anomalies of the Weah administration that impede growth and development, even as its Chief Executive plays deaf ears to the plight of the people, indulges in trivialities, and trumpets his personal frivolities as national achievements.

In a bruising response to President Weah’s Annual Message, Liberty Party’s Chairman Senator Steve Zargo, speaking on behalf of his divided party, frowned on President Weah’s blatant disregard for the harsh economic realities on the ground, even as he outlined what he termed as his administration’s achievements for the year in review.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, during the season of our 174th independence when our nation sought leadership to move forward, our President was busy releasing music commemorating Rita Marley, the wife of the late Bob Marley. Also, during the 2021 Christmas holidays, when many Liberians could not afford rice and other basic needs, let alone celebrate the joyous season, our President was again releasing Christmas music, where he bestowed adorations on himself and told Liberians his Christmas was on them. “My Christmas on you” is a Liberian way of letting someone know you are expecting something from them during the holidays. How can the President expect anything from Liberians when his administration has ensured Liberians have nothing for their own basic needs, let alone something to give another person? Why would the President, who openly displays his material possessions that the average Liberian can only dream of, be requesting something from the very people he has helped impoverish? Not only was the President busy making music as Liberians went hungry during the holidays, he was also busy brandishing his new customized vehicle from the United States before the very people who had so little to eat. How could our President mock so many Liberians who live below the poverty line?” Senator Zargo wondered.

Continuing, Senator Zargo said President Weah in his 5th Annual Message spoke of his vision of change for hope, noting that not only were Liberians confused as to the meaning of the mantra, but the President has since failed to explain to Liberians what that means and how it translates into national development.

“And that partly explains why the President has performed so poorly. A national vision is not simply a document of imported ideas or a dream of a better tomorrow without a strategy to achieve the dreams. A national vision embraces goals and objectives that are pursued in the interest of the people and not the interest of a few. It is not a vision when the action or lack of action of the government makes the few richer and the majority poorer; it is not a vision when the government pursues the same policies that brought Liberia to its knees!   Not only was the President busy making music as Liberians went hungry during the holidays, he was also busy brandishing his new customized vehicle from the States before the very people who had so little to eat. How could our President mock so many Liberians who live below the poverty line? Although our President is comfortable making music to feed his ego, he has remained speechless each time the nation needs him. During the COVID pandemic, the President remained silent when Liberians needed national leadership. He has failed to speak to the economic issues in the country, the rampant corruption that still exists, repeated assault on women with absolute impunity, and consistent interference of the Executive branch in the judicial system.  We are convinced that the vast majority of Liberians are ready and prepared to break the shackles of the last four years that continue to subject our national interest to insatiable greed, selling of our children’s future for a few dollars today, and increasing the debt burden that future generations will pay for,” Senator Zargo averred.

The Economy

Primarily focusing on the economic aspect of President Weah delivery, the Liberty Party noted that when the President took office in January 2018, Liberia’s total debt burden was approximately $874.4 million. At the time, Liberia was paying $30 million each year in interest to service that debt.

“It was bad then for an underdeveloped country such as ours to have had such debt with little to show for it. But by May 2020, President Weah had taken the total debt burden to $1.5 billion, with payment of $49 million annually in interest payment. We are paying lenders an extra $19 million each year because of the extra debt from this government. Imagine what $19 million could do for agriculture, education, healthcare, or youth and women empowerment each year! And the tragedy of this is that President Weah has little to show for the excessive borrowing. By the time he leaves office, he is expected to double both Liberia’s total debt and the annual payment to service that debt. My fellow Liberians, this is unacceptable,” the Liberty Party lamented.

Continuing on the state of the economy, Liberty Party said since President Weah took office four years ago, promising to generate access to healthcare, create jobs, stop the culture of corruption, restore the independence of the judicial system, provide for the overall safety of the citizenry and improve the lives of Liberians, four years later, President Weah and his administration have significantly failed to deliver on his promises, thus disappointing Liberians, including the well-meaning and patriotic Liberians who voted for him.

“Today, many who once had hope in Liberia’s best soccer player regret putting confidence in him as President.  His grandiose plans for Bali Island did not even make a debut on paper; the coastal highway remains an abstract thought; the promised 6,000 teachers from Nigeria is now wishful thinking, and Lone Star Airways, supposedly for the good of the country, was replaced with an ego to show off a plane for the President’s personal use while the very people who voted for him are relegated to extreme poverty.

“The last four years have been devastating to our people, as times are now harder for the average Liberian than when the President took office. Food is unaffordable for the average Liberian, adequate healthcare a pipedream, crimes against women are rampant and without proper judicial recourse, systemic corruption still persists, government spending yet unrestrained, and the quality of life in downward spiral as inflation drives more and more Liberians below the poverty line. In these challenging times when true leaders should rise to the occasion with solutions, the President’s response to our national crisis has been as confusing to Liberians as the mantra he ran on – change for hope.

“In all of this, the President and his cronies are perpetually in a state of denial as to the bruising conditions the ordinary man faces. They would have us believe that “this President is the best since 1847” in terms of his outputs. “The President is trying his best, he has good heart for the country”, they would say. The fact remains, however, that the measure of national progress cannot be stated in terms of an individual’s best. As a nation that is far behind others, we must set realistic goal and aim for the realization of such goal, making honest and deliberate efforts. This is certainly not the case. In all fairness, the 2021 State of the Nation Address by the President is reminiscence of his past that has been punctuated with elaborate promises.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, during the season of our 174th independence when our nation sought leadership to move forward, our President was busy releasing music commemorating Rita Marley, the wife of the late Bob Marley. Also, during the 2021 Christmas holidays, when many Liberians could not afford rice and other basic needs, let alone celebrate the joyous season, our President was again releasing Christmas music, where he bestowed adorations on himself and told Liberians his Christmas was on them. “My Christmas on you” is a Liberian way of letting someone know you are expecting something from them during the holidays. How can the President expect anything from Liberians when his administration has ensured Liberians have nothing for their own basic needs, let alone something to give another person? Why would the President, who openly displays his material possessions that the average Liberian can only dream of, be requesting something from the very people he has helped impoverish? Not only was the President busy making music as Liberians went hungry during the holidays, he was also busy brandishing his new customized vehicle from the United States before the very people who had so little to eat. How could our President mock so many Liberians who live below the poverty line?

“The President spoke of his vision of change for hope. Not only were Liberians confused as to the meaning of the mantra, the President has since failed to explain to Liberians what that means and how it translates into national development. And that partly explains why the President has performed so poorly. A national vision is not simply a document of imported ideas or a dream of a better tomorrow without a strategy to achieve the dreams. A national vision embraces goals and objectives that are pursued in the interest of the people and not the interest of a few. It is not a vision when the action or lack of action of the government makes the few richer and the majority poorer; it is not a vision when the government pursues the same policies that brought Liberia to its knees!   Not only was the President busy making music as Liberians went hungry during the holidays, he was also busy brandishing his new customized vehicle from the States before the very people who had so little to eat. How could our President mock so many Liberians who live below the poverty line? Although our President is comfortable making music to feed his ego, he has remained speechless each time the nation needs him. During the COVDI pandemic, the President remained silent when Liberians needed national leadership. He has failed to speak to the economic issues in the country, the rampant corruption that still exists, repeated assault on women with absolute impunity, and consistent interference of the Executive branch in the judicial system.

“Mr. President, the Liberian economy needs bold policies and prudent implementation, if we are to move forward in the 21st century global economy. Our reliance on natural resource export alone is a failed strategy and seems to be the only playbook this administration is using. What worsens this strategy is failure of the government to curtail runaway expenditure at a time when there are downward pressures on traditional exports on the global market. To revitalize our economy, we need to create opportunities that build the skillsets of a middle class. We have to train a future workforce so they are prepared for the jobs we can create in our country. We must feed the entrepreneurial spirit of our people so their creativity can spur economic growth. To do so, our government must rethink how it appropriates the budget. We must reduce unnecessary spending and redirect savings to workforce development. We must invest in our women and our youths, who make up the bulk of our population.

“In one of our previous Economic Policy Briefs, Liberty Party stated that, there is inadequate support for agriculture from government in the form of extension programs, exacerbated by the lending environment that makes it impossible for farmers to secure funding for that sector of the economy. As a result, agribusiness is far from realizing its potential. In fact the sector is obstructed in its growth by the lack of available support,” the LP closed its analysis of the President’s delivery on the economy.

Governance

The Liberty Party said the shortcomings of the Weah Administration have not been limited to poor economic performance, but also extend to poor governance and the rule of law, noting that after four years in office this administration still has not shown a clear predisposition to meaningful governance reform.

“While we would like to recognize initial reforms started in the local government sector, for example government’s pilot project in Margibi County which is geared towards revenue retention at the local level, local government reform must be seen to be holistic. With the passage of the Decentralization Act, it was expected that the government would make periodic progress report to the Legislature though the Ministry of Internal Affairs.  This has not been the case.

Corruption

Regarding the issue of transparency and accountability, the LP in its critique of President Weah’s Annual Message said while the Weah government pretends to be battling corruption, the President has failed to report to the people of Liberia on any specifics relating to your fight against corruption.

“What has become of the $20 million corruption scandal? The Water and Sewage case involving its Managing Director, and other unresolved and unprosecuted corruption cases. Mr. President, you should have realized by now that an effective battle against corruption must begin from the top, or else punishing junior employees of government, while the “big shots” are allowed to walk away only serves to embolden corrupt government officials. Remember the Liberian adage—the fish starts to rot from the head.

“Given the overwhelming evidence in support of the President’s lack of resolve to fight corruption, especially when his friends are involved, it is difficult not to conclude that the President’s fight against corruption are gimmicks designed to impress members of the international community,” the LP stated emphatically.

Rule of law

According to the LP, the rule of law is the foundation for both civil liberties and for order, because, in any functioning democracy, it is adherence to the rule of law that guarantees equal treatment of all citizens.

“The rule of law allows us to organize our lives, plan our futures, and resolve disputes in a rational and equitable way. Mr. President,   do you need to be told what is obtaining at your Ministry of Justice, especially with your Solicitor General? There are dossier of cases that involve the credibility of that ministry that should warrant your immediate intervention to justify your stance on the Rule of Law; but as it stands, you are either unconcerned or are acquiesced to it. Many of Liberia’s historical struggles have had their roots in the utter disrespect for the rule of law by those to whom state power has been entrusted. And although many of those currently serving in your government, Mr. President, and your political institution, in particular, have been vocal critics of the immediate past government on this issue, the country seems no closer to parting with this problem.

“In realization of this, several benchmarks were set jointly by the international community and the sitting government at the time, all in anticipation of the withdrawal of the United Nations from Liberia; under the arrangements as contained in the plan of withdrawal, known and styled as the UNMIL Drawdown Plan, there were benchmarks to the effect that by the time UNMIL would have withdrawn from Liberia, the total manpower strength of the Liberia National Police would be at eight thousand (8,000) men; the armed forces of Liberia at five thousand (5,000) men, as well as the Liberia Immigration Service.

“As the record reflects, those benchmarks have not been met. In addition thereto, there has been a dramatic reduction in the manpower strength of all of the supra named National Security Institutions owing to attrition in general, which mostly results from dissatisfaction of the officers, coupled with central government’s decision to retire officers on the basis on age and tenure. Other factors responsible for the reduction in the manpower strength of affected entities are deaths, sicknesses, and opportunity on the part of officers to travel abroad. It would also interest you to note that as a result of the shortage of manpower within the security sector, our people, in most instances, are victims of inadequate security protection.

“For example, predicated on the need for rapid response by security actors to unfavorable security situations that were developing in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties, a Regional Security Hub was set up in Gbarnga, which was also intended to be replicated in other regions of Liberia. The Hub was organized to the effect that it would host officers from both the Liberia National Police and the Liberian Immigration service, respectively, and in conjunction with other rule of Law actors from the Ministry of Justice. As we speak, unfortunately, that hub has been largely deserted by the officers who are supposed to be stationed there. This is so because the officers themselves have been deserted by their authorities, who have failed to provide the required feeding and logistics to them.

“In addition thereto, the physical structure of the HUB itself lies nearly in ruins and neglected as a result of lack of funding. It is also evident that security presence across Liberia is scarce, and this condition can only be cured when Central government provides the requisite funding to National Security Institutions. Such funding, if and when available, would be directed primarily towards recruitment and training of additional men to buttress the manpower strength of the National Security Institutions.

“Mr. President, in your rather mesmerizing posture during the delivery of your SONA, you proudly stated, “My stance in ensuring the rights and protection of all cannot be overemphasized. As a HeForShe Champion, I remain committed to the dignity of upholding human rights and safeguarding our most vulnerable population — our women, girls and children.”

“On closer examination, this was only another high-sounding rhetoric intended to cause your unsuspecting audience a self-inflicted mental agony when they are no longer under the sound of your voice. How do you explain the incessant reports of rape cases with no guarantee of the victims being served justice?  Mr. President, right in our Foreign Mission in Abuja, the daughter of a senior staff of the Mission was raped. And although the Ambassador and your Minister of Foreign Affairs are in full knowledge of the incident, it’s being several months now and the case remains a fiasco. Not until the father of the little girl began to raise alarm on international wires, did your government begin to show concern. Even so, the Ambassador who had tried consciously to cover up this incident is still serving in the post. Where is your concern for the protection of human rights, especially rights of our girls?

“May we also ask you, Mr. President, what has become of the case involving the death of four auditors in less than two weeks? Where is the justice system? What about the case of the three young men who got missing at St. Moses Funeral Home? Are these deaths not of serious human rights concerns? In a report published on October 20, 2020, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) called on the US State Department to investigate the “mysterious” deaths of the four Government Auditors. Has it dawn on your government that these are a part of this government’s international profile?

“Indeed, the observance of rule of law is a guarantee for increased international cooperation, including attracting investments to a country. Yes, we are an independent, sovereign nation and must do for ourselves what others would not do. We must remember, however, that as a member of the global community, our actions are checked by others.

In closing, the LP stated in its critique that President Weah emphatically said the “state of the nation is peaceful and strong.”

“Unfortunately, this is not the case. The mere absence of the sound of gun fire does not mean peace. Even as you preparing for the delivery of your SONA on Monday, there was already huge presence of armed security forces at major street corners. Why? Because we are living a negative peace on account of the miscarriage of justice in the land.

“What is it about an election case involving an individual duly elected by his people that cannot end? Why are the people of Lofa County being marginalized? Why are they being denied proper representation? Why is justice becoming unattainable? Why are poor people not being accorded justice in our courts? And you say the state of the nation is peaceful and strong?

“Mr. President, Liberty Party recognizes and appreciates some of the efforts of your government to continue with projects that you inherited from the previous administration and certainly, new ones that your government initiated. We note the opening of community roads and other infrastructural development drives. May we remind you, however, that Liberia was plunged into a long period of civil conflict not because we were lacking in infrastructural development. There was a time in this country when LEC power came on by 7 PM in most parts of the country, and children studied their lessons under bright lights. We had paved roads than we probably have now. There were zinc shacks that contained TV sets. People fetched water from running pipes.

“Yet, we entered the theater of conflict. Why? Because of bad governance, abuse of human rights, lack of rule of law, etc. so, while it is true that all of those social services were available, Liberia still entered conflict due to bad governance. People’s human rights were being violated. People were killed and nothing came out of it. It is therefore of paramount concern to most Liberians, and even more so, to our international partners, that the rule of law is the foundation that guarantees increased opportunities and stability for any nation and its people.

“In prophetic words, Cllr Charles Brumskine once said “When the officials of government are unable or fail to let the President know when he/she is wrong, and friends have caused the President to believe that he/she is indispensable to our body polity; the President conceives invincibility and the constitutional foundation of the nation once again comes under attack. Then, although opposition politicians may not be physically exiled, every Liberian who honors the rule of law, and not just opposition politicians, becomes exiled within the borders of his/her own country.”

“This government is taking everything from our people; food, basic needs, their ability to earn a living, no access to affordable healthcare or education. But we will not allow them to take our dignity.

“Let us instead remind ourselves who we really are. We are a people who declared the first black republic in Africa, its shortcomings notwithstanding; we served as a beacon of hope for blacks all over the world, particularly those in the United States of America, who were still laboring under the yoke of slavery; we are a people who started the process of dismantling the evil system of apartheid in South Africa, when, Liberia along with the Empire of Ethiopia, instituted legal action against the South African regime; the tax dollars of our forebear were used to support the struggle of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South West African People Organization (SWAPO) of what is known today as Namibia; in Saniquelle, Nimba County, our nation gave birth to what is known today as the African Union; and, we were a founding member of the United Nations and ECOWAS. We are a great people!

“And it is in that spirit of greatness that our nation will rise again. But we cannot do so with lies and false promises of this administration. We will rise on our ability to choose a better option in 2023. We will rise on the resilient attitude that this administration will not take away our dignity. May we draw courage from Viktor Frankl, a man who was stripped of all his earthly belongings when sent to a concentration camp during War World II. Viktor lost his name to prisoner number 119104, his family and everything of value. He survived the camps and later wrote “everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” That is the challenge Liberty Party sets before you today fellow Liberians. Despite the poor leadership of this government and all that is has taken away from the average Liberian, I challenge you to choose the right attitude. And make sure that in 2023, you choose your own way,” the LP stated.

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