Liberians’ views, amid a divided nation
By Jerromis S. Walters & Vaye Lepolu
In accordance with Article 58 of the Constitution of Liberia, which mandates that the President of Liberia, on the fourth working Monday in January of each year, to present the Legislative Program of the Administration for the ensuing session, and report on the State of the Republic, covering the economic condition of the Nation, including expenditure and income, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai will on today, January 29, 2024, deliver his first state of the nation address, cataloging the above.
As Liberia wrapped up a friendly but tense electoral process months ago, today’s reality still displays the indescribable extent to which the state is divided, as the immediate former president George Weah and current President Joseph Nyuma Boakai have in most of their recent speeches heightened the need for reconciliation.
The division can be visibly glimpsed as even former president Weah and his supporters still suffer lashes from supporters of the ruling party on a daily, despite losing the election. This has made many consider them as “Angry winners”. On the other hand, supporters of the ruling establishment have also been bullied while President Joseph Boakai has been characterized by unpleasant terms. Unarguably, all of these signify the extreme extent to which the division has gotten.
In fulfillment of said National duty, Liberians who spoke with this paper, are keenly expecting the President’s message to heighten the need for reconciliation, women’s inclusion in his administration as they were during his campaign and a genuine hope for change, especially when former president George Weah informed Liberians that he has left a better economy.
In separate interviews, the women emphasized the need for gender balanced in Mr. Boakai’s government and national healing and reconciliation. They hope that President Joseph Boakai will address the importance of unity among Liberians, prompting an environment of reconciliation and unity.
Boakai’s inaugural speech
During his inaugural address last Monday, President Boakai acknowledged that during the just-ended political campaign, the state of the nation was laid bare. “Many words were spoken. Angry words were spoken. The experts uncovered for us cogent analyses of our national condition. We can no more attempt to bury our heads in the proverbial sand,” he said.
As this continues to play on a low key, many Liberians are still hoping that the President will heighten the need for reconciliation as he delivers his first State of the Nation address.
“The truth we must face is that like many countries, we, too, are a divided society, with some of our differences triggered by historical narratives, ethnicity, exclusion, and marginalization – all having been exploited over the years to create social, political, and economic disparities, and intense adversarial political divisions that deeply feed personal aggrandizement and stoke conflict.”
In his opinion, change comes when Liberians unite and work together in nation-building rather than continue to build an impervious state that is not responsive to the needs and dreams of most Liberians but to those presiding over it. “We must foster a Liberian identity that overcomes the contrasting historical narratives, blurs the lines of regions and counties, gender, and historically sinister and destructive individualism that triggers greed and corruption as opposed to compassionate service for the public good.”
Mr. Boakai stated That the presidential election was hard fought and looked to have further divided the country politically and regionally. “But what unites us is bigger than what divides us. I am therefore extending a hand of cooperation and peace to my political opponents, knowing the common bond between us is “Liberia” and the need to harness its potential for the good of its people. As is said, “We must work together or fail separately.” I am, therefore, assuring all Liberians that I will be the President for all irrespective of whether you voted for me or not, your party affiliation, county, religion, gender, region, and social and economic status.”
Amid the taste for improvement, he believes it should be done genuinely. “We see hard times, we see dysfunction, we see culture of impunity, we see corruption in high and low places. It is these and similar conditions that we have come to RESCUE. But we come with false assurance to no one. Our plan to fix the ills we are inheriting must go together with realistic expectations. We will act in the first hundred days of our Administration, and then diligently pursue our rescue mission.”
With this, many still doubt whether they will still be informed by the President to manage their expectations, as he earlier noted that he began his quest for the presidency because something seemed wrong with Liberians and the leadership of the country. “Rather than the positives, we were accentuating the negatives about our country and each other. We were initiating false starts, building on poor foundations. We were deepening our differences, creating new social fault lines. Inclusive and accountable governance was at an all-time low.“
Regardless, he has assured Liberians that he has come to rekindle hope, to reposition us on our national pathway. “I have come to remind us that though the accident of our births has made of us a diverse people, we must employ our CITIZENSHIP, our Liberian citizenship to make of us a united people, for only a United people can build a nation.
And where do we plan to take Liberia in the next six years? We must refocus our political energies.“
Weah’s fareware message
On the eve of the end of his six-year stewardship, Liberia’s former President George Manneh Weah addressed the nation late Sunday, January 21, 2024, acknowledging that he was filled with gratitude and a sense of honor for the journey embarked on in 2018 to build a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.
“I am deeply thankful for the trust and support you have bestowed upon me and my administration during my tenure as we navigated the complexities of governance,” President Weah said, acknowledging the rewarding partnership forged with citizens who were instrumental in the development and implementation of programs and policies for the good of the nation and people.
Ex-President Weah not only reflected on the infrastructural progress the country made under his presidency, but he also equally reported on the financial standing of the Republic, in terms of what the government is leaving in the national coffers. “I must report to you that we are leaving behind a better economy than we inherited. Tomorrow, President-Elect Joseph N. Boakai will inherit a stronger economy than I inherited,” President Weah asserted.
He continued: “There is a bigger net international reserve position than was handed me in 2018. I inherited about Ninety-Four Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand United States dollars in net international reserves, and I am handing over to the next administration a net international reserve position of Two Hundred Twenty-Two Million, Seven Hundred Thousand United States dollars. This is a 136 percent increase in net international reserve position.”
He said the total cash balance in the Government’s Consolidated accounts is the United States Forty Million, Forty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred Sixty-Five Dollars and Ninety Cents.” According to him, his government inherited a consolidated cash position of about Seven Million United States Dollars In 2018, and the incoming administration has more resources to deal with emergency macroeconomic challenges than his administration had at its disposal in 2018.
The former President told the nation that he held steadfast to two cornerstones of leadership, including keeping the peace and upholding the democratic process and the rule of law. “As you are all aware, Liberia, for the first time in over seven decades, experienced a peaceful transition of power when I assumed the presidency in 2018,” he noted, stressing that the January 22, 2024 inauguration of a new administration marks another significant milestone in the country democratic journey.
He recounted other significant accomplishments his government made in closing the inequalities in different spheres of governance, adding: “We have roads, supported free WASSE and free tuition at high schools and public universities, stabilized the macroeconomic challenges we faced in 2018, built a hundred of pro-poor housing units and achieved so many fronts than we can list here tonight.”
Despite the significant milestones, Weah, however, said more could have been done under different circumstances.
“Regrettably,” he said, “some of the long-term projects we initiated did not reach completion during my tenure.” The former Liberian Leader said he was hopeful that the incoming government would pick up from where the projects are for the benefit of all Liberians. Weah also reckoned how rumors and misinformation played a huge part in politics while expressing hope that the country will overcome the challenge in the next six years.
Mr. Weah emphasized that he was leaving office proud that Liberia remained at peace with itself and at peace with its neighbors during his tenure in office. He urged citizens to continue to be law-abiding and seek peaceful means to resolve differences and embrace tolerance and dialogue.
What more they expect to hear?
AS the President speaks today, ordinary Liberians, especiallywomen have pointed at several other critical areas they anticipate the President will address, including curbing drug proliferation, combating violence against women, addressing the plight of street children, supporting businesswomen, and maintaining educational policies.
One of the primary concerns voiced by the women is the urgent need to tackle the proliferation of drugs in Liberia. Rebecca Sirleaf, a resident of Capital Bye Pass is among those that are hoping that President Boakai will outline a comprehensive plan to address this issue, recognizing its detrimental impact on the youth and their future prospects. By implementing effective strategies to curb drug trafficking and consumption, she’s certain that the President can create a safer and more prosperous environment for the younger generation.
Violence against women is another pressing issue that she expects the President to include in his SONA. Madam Sirleaf anticipates that Mr. Boakai rwill emphasize the need to implement the existing laws that protect women against all forms of violence and importance of protecting women’s rights and ensuring their safety.
The plight of street children is another concern raised by the women. Ms. Grace Johnson, a business woman and resident of Central Town anticipates that President Boakai will discuss finding sustainable solutions to address this issue, including providing support and opportunities for these vulnerable children. By implementing programs that focus on education, shelter, and rehabilitation, she says Mr. Boakai can help reintegrate street children into society and provide them with a chance for a better future.
Like Ms. Johnson, other businesswomen in Liberia also have high expectations for President Boakai’s address. They hope that his administration will work with banks to minimize the interest rates on loans taken by women entrepreneurs. In their opinions, by reducing the financial burden on businesswomen, the President can foster economic growth and empower women to contribute to the country’s development.
At the same time, Ms. Dedeh Kollie, a student and resident of Sinkor is hoping that President Boakai will maintain the WAsSCE fee payment-free tuition policy for public universities and colleges, which was introduced by former President George Weah. It’s of no secret that the policy has significantly increased access to higher education for many Liberians, and its continuation is crucial for the country’s progress and the empowerment of its citizens.
