After Prince Johnson gave his testimonies at the TRC, the brother of President Doe, Jackson Doe and some of the deceased president's family were furious. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was quick to bring the two people together to tune down the rhetoric and consider peace and reconciliation. It was a good move by the president. I had to give my support:
Frontpageafrica cannot be commended enough for the good job the online news outlet is doing for Liberia. Since Medina Wesseh came out supporting the president and since Frontpageafrica released her email soliciting help from uncle Willis regarding the importation of cement, I can imagine how many people in the government are now concerned about what they have done and what they have written since the Old Ma appointed them to help her run this government. "I wonder that man got any emails from me," many are wondering to themselves.
The husband of Medina is being sent to the UN to represent his country. Commany Wisseh's wife is sitting right near the president and trying to do the same corrupt stuff her husband fought against. This reminds me of something that another warrior of the "rampant-corruption" era told me when I asked him why the people were still complaining of hardship and about the shortage of certain basic commodities on the Liberian market? "What people are you talking about?" The answer to my question came back to me in the form of a question. I felt terrible, for this guy along with Baccus Matthews and many others, had made us to believe that they knew better and that they would make life better for all Liberians. In the cause of the people the struggle continues, was the battle cry then and is still today. Now we know that "in the cause of the people" is just a devious slogan and a mere rhetoric.
I am happy to hear that the President is trying to bring Jackson Doe, the brother of President Doe, and Prince Johnson to the table of peace. The genuine friendship that existed between Samuel Doe and Thomas Quiwonkpa turned sour when the greed for power took center stage. From rumors and recent testimonies, Thomas Quiwonkpa insisted that his buddy Samuel Doe head the People's Redemption Council on the night of April 12, 1980. The agreement to turn over power to a civilian government after a short period of military rule became a contentious issue. Things began to fall apart from there: Demotions and major transfers began to happen; discontent and the struggle for power muzzled normal behavior. The end result is something the country and people have suffered for greatly.
In August of last year I wrote to say that the people of Grand Gedeh County and the people of Nimba County will have to take the lead in the reconciliation process. The people of these two counties were very good friends before 1980. Tribalism put a wedge between these two groups. Threats to wipe out the other became an ominous battle cry. No one who was in Liberia in the 80s can forget this, no matter how hard one tries to play this down.
The death of Thomas Quiwonkpa devastated the people of Nimba County. Like Elvis, Nimbaians and many others thought Quiwonkpa had escaped, even though his riddled body was boastfully shown on ELTV in Monrovia. As Grand Gedeans celebrated, the people of Nimba County feared for their lives. Where could they go? It was a nightmare. Both counties have suffered much pain; Nimba County has suffered the most because of the misdeeds of those who were supposed to protect the people and country.
If Liberia and her people are to benefit from genuine peace, the people of Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties, under the guidance of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the government of Liberia, must meet in that border town that separates the two counties and come to terms with the reality of today. Nimba County is not a winner neither is Grand Gedeh. As both counties take the lead for the future of their country and people, other counties will follow.
As for the 133 years of bribery and kickbacks and overwhelming inequality that continue to haunt and rob the majority of Liberians of any kind of improvement in their daily lives; as for those who continue to undermine development and demonstrate zero tolerance for patriotism, I can only say, sadly and with hanging head... the struggle continues!
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