By Sulaiman Jalloh who witnessed
The quest for political power in many African countries is a do-or-die affair. Elections are mostly characterized by violence. However, the recent election in Liberia was exceptional as its conduct was and is still commended by democracy-promoting institutions in the subregion and the wider world.
In an amazing mood on January 22nd 2024 at the grounds of Capitol Hill, the erstwhile president George Weah and Madam Sirleaf shook hands and raised up them together with those of the newly elected President Boakai up in a smiling mood. A mood that shows the World that, despite political differentiation African politicians can still come still come together and work in the interest of its citizens. The occasion was the swearing ceremony of newly elected President of Liberia Joseph Boakai in Monrovia, Liberia.
Liberia is the oldest African country that gained her independence in 1847 and it is the first African country to produce a female president in the person of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It is also the first and only African nation to produce a world best footballer in the person of immediate former President George Weah.
George Manneh Weah, who ruled for one term and was defeated in recent election by 79-year-old President Joseph Boakai, is being eulogized for being a true democrat who handed over power peacefully.
79-year-old Boakai has been in politics for over forty years. He was vice president to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf .
President Boakai, who took office on the 22nd January 2024, campaigned under the ‘Rescue Mission’ with a campaign manifesto titled ‘ARREST’ which means Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism promised to rescue the country from economic hardship, corruption, unemployment and governance among others. According to the Liberian leader, Liberians have suffered a lot and he is ready to solve most of the emerging problems in the country, during his Inaugural speech calls on the three branches of government (the Legislature, the executive, and the Judiciary) to work along with his administration to improve the livelihood of its citizenry.
For a government to improve the living standard of its citizens, the economy of that country must be stable and many Liberians both home and abroad voted Boakai’s Unity Party for change. Many are expecting the veteran politician to improve the living standard of the country.
As former agriculture minister, the new Liberian leader has made commitment in improving agriculture, education, the tourism sector, rule of law. among others.
Despite all the accusations and counter-accusations against his immediate predecessor of corruption, misuse of public office, Boakai after taken oath of office expressed his gratitude to the outgone president George Manneh Weah for his steadfast in accepting the will of the people (conceded defeat) even before the final announcement of elections result by the National Elections Commission whilst he emphasized the need for a coordinated governance towards a common objective of developing the country.
Seeing two former presidents and a new president on stage in this part of the world is rare.
“The truth is that we must face it 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” the head of state said, adding that they should “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”.
In an exclusive interview with a parliamentarian, James M. Kolleh of the People’s Unification Party who represents the people of District #2, Bong County in the North Central Lines of the country said this is the kind of democratic transition of power he has witnessed since Liberia began. According to him, Liberia in the sub-region is subscribing to the democratic tenancy of democracy, adding if Africans are to practice good democracy, other African countries should reference Liberia. He called on the younger generation who might be fortunate to serve in the Boakai’s government to take a lesson from the old folks in the smooth transfer of power from one leader to the other, adding everything has time, when given the opportunity they should do that with due diligence.
The lawmaker, on behalf of his honourable colleagues expressed his commitment in supporting the Unity Party leader’s agenda to transform Liberia and in ensuring that the three branches of government collaborate and work in the interest of the Liberian people. He also committed to support President Boakai in the fight against corruption.
Speaking on improving the country’s economy, Hon James M. Kolleh, acknowledged that, despite the economic challenges faced by the oldest country in the region, more needs to be done, especially in the agriculture sector. According to him, Liberians need to go back to farming and start to grow their own food while he encouraged people to invest in agriculture to boost the country’s economy.
Citizens have expressed hope for change in the new government. Lincoln Nagbe, a resident of District Fourteen Monsterrado County claims that President Boakai will improve youth employment, saying that youths of the country suffered under the Weah’s regime.
Nagbe noted that Liberians should become one and forget about division among citizens.
Copyright –Published in Expo Magazine, February Edition, Vol.2, No.2, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
