Chance to live in peace again
 

The New Liberian Agenda

By Samuel P. Ajavon, Jr. 

29 April 04

I. Introduction 

The involvement of Liberians in the discussion of wide ranging issues on the state of affairs in their country indicates their preparedness to see a transformation in a previously stagnant society. Many of the issues provide a glare as to what is transpiring in Liberia, but they omit giving a deeper consideration for the larger and inherent challenges that face Liberia. As a result, the real and immediate focus and issues have now become secondary. This paper seeks to shift from that direction and highlight or generate a new discussion on what the agenda in Liberia should be during this intervening period. 

II. Accra Conclusions 

Conclusions from Accra regarding the path to peace in Liberia provided the avenue for Liberia to begin on a clean slate in creating and formulating the conditions for redirecting the country. Despite the inclusion of factions in governance as a means of appeasement, the opportunity was, however, initiated to chart a new course. This course was highlighted by the goodwill shown by the international community towards the country through their availability and preparedness to commit peacekeeping troops for the purpose of removing the instruments of fear and intimidation from the shoulders of the society and creating the enabling environment for brainstorming on developing an agenda for Liberia. Accordingly, benchmarks were outlined by ECOWAS for the achievement of “lasting peace” in Liberia. These included but not limited to disarmament, demobilization and elections. 

a. Disarmament 

Disarmament is a process that has been attempted in Liberia, but has yielded minimum results. Estimates from the United Nations reveal that the process this time is being fundamentally approached with clear objectives defined and the basic foundations laid for its success. There is no need to hasten for it is only relevant that a meticulous approach to the process be taken that would ensure obtaining and disposing of the arms, disintegrating military structures and chains of command, and then integrating combatants into their communities, as well as preparing communities to provide a suitable reception to these combatants. A hasty approach to disarmament would only yield minimum results which may adversely affect the future prospects of the Liberian society. 
 

b. Repatriation & Resettlement 

In addition to disarmament is the process of repatriating and resettling thousands of internally displaced Liberians, as well as those who are refugees in neighboring countries. So far, it is still not very evident what the strategy is in this respect, but there seems to be some indication of voluntary repatriation on the part of some internally displaced and refugees in neighboring Sierra Leone. This process also requires a careful consideration as it hinges on the creation of suitable security conditions that would allow for civilians to return to their communities without any inkling of fear and intimidation from individuals who inflicted these conditions upon them in the past. It appears to have both immediate and long-term approaches, but certainly constitute a major consideration for thought and action.  

III. The New Agenda 

The pending processes do not overshadow the need to look at the bigger picture of Liberia. There is a labyrinth of problems that beset Liberia that should draw the strength and energies of every Liberian in a national discourse to find a way through. These problems stem from issues surrounding governance to those affecting minorities in Liberia, particularly the elderly and women; problem ranging from education to health care; issues relating to social services, elections, the court system, the constitution, just to name a few. This should be the agenda for the day in Liberia as the guns have now been silenced. 

A. Governance 

The issue of governance is rather significant as it is on this issue that most of the conflicts in Liberian society have emanated. We intend to focus some light and concerns on several key institutions and process that revolve around governance in Liberia. 

i. The Executive 

Over a century and a half, governance in Liberia has been overly centralized, and clearly so in the executive that hold significant powers and exerts enormous control. This has been one of the major areas that have generated conflict in Liberia. The executive branch has been the most powerful branch of government in the Liberian experience amongst the legislative and judiciary. It is this branch of government that has presided over the distribution of the wealth of society, becoming the only center of power in Liberia. Local governments have relied on the center for the provision of services and have remained answerable to only the center. This is just a gist from what is even a greater and more  
widespread condition. But should this be the case? This is a question that all Liberians need to answer. The creation of various centers of power that should be able to check one another in an intercourse that commands equality and respect therefore becomes a relevant alternative - centers of power that would attract the involvement of the majority through representation in the process of decision-making. How can these centers be created? Not through a magic wand, but through a national dialogue aimed at institution-building. 

ii. The Legislature 

There is also the situation with the Legislature. The Liberian Constitution empowers the Legislature as the holders of the purse strings of the nation. Today’s reality paints a totally different picture. The purse string of the nation has been handled by the executive – determining who gets what, when and how, without any accountability. This has become a source of conflict in Liberia. What role should the legislative arm of government play? How assertive can the legislature be to ensure the approval of funds to the executive and also ensure accountability for these monies? What structures and/or organs can the legislature itself design to check itself and its conduct in performing the people’s duties, etcetera? There are many questions that also surround the legislature that solutions have to be found for, and such solutions have to come from the people of Liberia. Questions pertaining to the involvement of the legislature in judicial matters; the involvement of this body of government in ensuring that laws are formulated for the benefit of the entire population; and being answerable to the people; tenure of the legislators; and many more. These are relevant issues that must bring together the voices of Liberians in a national debate that will draw answers and set the right path for the country. 

iii. The Judiciary 

Interpreting the laws in Liberia is a responsibility given to the judiciary. However, it has been faced with numerous problems in the discharge of its duties, ranging from logistics to the selection of judges. Even the conduct of judges has been a problem in Liberia. How can the judiciary be independent? What should be the criteria for the selection of judges? Should judges be elected? Which branch of government should be responsible for approving funds for the judiciary – making budgetary appropriations? What structures can be instituted that would make the judiciary accountable for funds apportioned to it for the exercise of its duties and functions? What penalties can be put in place that would make the judiciary impartial; how can it be adequately empowered that it does not rely on the goodwill of other branches of government. Again the list of issues continues to grow, and these issues have to be addressed in a manner that all feel part of the outcome and decisions that emanate there from, and no one feels disenfranchised. This calls therefore for a national forum dedicated to the building of a new Liberia that makes public service honorable, and ensures that no abuses and advantages can be taken by any individual in keeping with the laws and decisions reached. 

iv. Local Governance 

Then there is issue of local governance. There are many issues that have to be addressed when it comes to local governance. These have to do with involvement of residents of the locale in decision-making, particularly in their school boards, in the selection of their leaders. For a long time superintendents have been appointed and in many cases to the displeasure of the residents. How in the selection of their leaders, particularly the superintendent and others, that these individuals feel answerable and accountable to the people, and conduct the affairs of local government in a transparent manner is very important in a democracy. How can local government be empowered to attract investments for the creation of local economies that would lead to the creation of jobs and urbanization in many of these areas? How can the people involved in deciding where the school house is built? Where the hospital is built? What their taxes would be for the provision and up keep of basic services? What structures can be created to ensure accountability? These questions should form part of an even larger agenda that incorporate many more issues for a sovereign conference intended to draw up and concretize solutions to these issues. One person does not have the answers to these questions, but it requires a collective engagement of the entire society to do so. 

B. Other Important Issues 

i. Elections 

An important issue that needs to also be given some deep consideration and scrutiny resulting into the formulation of policy is the issue of elections in Liberia. The electoral laws in Liberia need to be examined and refined to reflect today’s reality. There are some sticky points in the electoral process that need to be thrashed that could create a peaceful environment for elections. Some of these issues surround the criteria for the formation of political parties; the number of political parties; contributions to political parties; should there be limitations to the number of political parties, and many more issues surrounding the political process that cannot be mentioned. 

ii. Bribery and other concerns 

The issues are many that need to be addressed in Liberia – issue of bribery; creating wealth in and amongst Liberians; social security and pension; reducing the size of government; examining our elections laws; examining traditional structures and the roles they can place in a functioning society; fashioning out roles for traditional leaders; addressing the roles of the military and para-military organizations; the age of consent; protecting minors and minorities; minimum wage; etcetera. Certainly, Liberia is compounded with issues, and these issues have to be addressed even before the ushering in of a newly elected government.  

IV. Timing 

This brings me to when can we begin discussing these issues. The call by the head of the interim government for the reduction in the number of political parties in Liberia was significant in the course of deliberating on the future of Liberia’s political process and political institutions. The tenure of this government should be the point in time when a national dialogue should be initiated through a sovereign conference that would have addressed all of the issues, culminating into elections. At the end of the day we would have ushered in a new era, with carved out and nationally endorsed solutions and prescriptions for many, if not all of the problems facing Liberia.  

V. Conclusion 

Without any aorta of doubt, it seems the focus on these issues is lost and energies are being geared towards programs that are to be addressed by future elected and legitimate administration. Why become deeply involved in project that has to do with repairing and clearing out the free port when there is an issue around the formation of political parties? It is important to restore basic services, but should that overtake the overall national problems that loom which, if addressed can properly and adequately address the provision and maintenance of basic services? It is simply a matter of cart and horse and it seems that there is a misplaced objective within the Liberian political structure. But more so, individuals who are interested in leadership, particularly presidential aspirants seemed not to be interested in addressing these issues. What apparently seem important are elections and that would end the problems in Liberia. This is a myth and another recipe for conflict in Liberia. Unless we address those relevant issues that have stalled the progress of the Liberian society and do so in a manner that harnesses the overall involvement of all groups within the society, we run the risk having successive regimes imposing their will on the people of Liberia. Now is the time to begin a sovereign conference to thrash out all of these issues and develop policies and enact laws that will take Liberia into a new day and a new beginning.  

NOTE: This paper was written at the end of Chairman Bryant’s visit to the United States to participate in the donor conference on Liberia. It does not, in any way, call for the extension of the tenure of the current political arrangement in Liberia. 

About the Author: Samuel P. Ajavon, Jr. is a former Staff Associate of the Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) in Liberia. He currently resides in the United States.