By Arthur B. Dennis - MPA, MSW
In the context of mental health, the term “xenophobia” refers to people who fear strangers. However, when used in a broad political context, the term “xenophobia” refers to people in a given community or country who, motivated by patriotism, fear sharing their citizenship, land, or other vital collective interests with foreigners. In this article, the term “xenophobia” is used to refer to the latter definition.
The Crisis in Ivory Coast
The crisis in Ivory Coast is a drama of political leaders playing the xenophobia card to divide the tribes and rule. According to the story, presidential aspirant Alassane Ouattara and his supporters hail from the North, which shares common borders with Burkina Faso. There are claims that they are foreigners because (1) their ancestors originated from Burkina Faso; (2) they share the exact same names with people in Burkina Faso; and (3) they hold strong family ties with people in Burkina Faso. Yet, no reference is made to people at Dianne borders who also share family ties with people in Nimba County. No reference is made also to people in Giuglo, Juloblee and other border towns who share similar family ties with people in Eastern Liberia.
According to an Ivorian exiled Activist, Kamagate, since independence in 1960, the nation’s citizenship laws have been changing under the slogan “Ivority” designed to distinguish between native-born Ivorian citizens and foreigners. At independence, applicants for citizenship were required to have one parent who must be a native Ivorian or the applicant must be in residence in country for a minimum of five years. Later, another provision was added, granting citizenship to children born to aliens residing in Ivory Coast. Thereafter, every Ivorian was required to carry a citizenship card.
But soon after Konah Bedie became President, fearing Ouattara’s popularity, he altered the constitution, requiring that one of the parents of a presidential candidate must be at least a native born-Ivorian. In effect, Ivorians were required again to carry new citizenship cards. In the process, people whose names were associated with the North must provide birth certificates and other genuine medical documents to prove citizenship or be treated as foreigners. Even lands owned in the South by Northerners were seized on the ground that they were foreigners. Kamagte said at times security officers would destroy citizenship cards bearing names associated with people in the North.
To make matter worse, when General Robert Guei seized power, Kamagate said, he altered the constitution again maintaining that for a person to run for president, his parents must both be Ivorian citizens born in Ivory Coast. For his part, Ouattara has maintained that he was born in Ivory Coast and that his parents are both Ivorian citizens. Observers believe if Ouattara had pushed for a dual citizenship law when he was Prime Minister (1990-1993), the xenophobia ghost would not have hunted him today. However, we hope public officials in Liberia will learn lessons from this critical error of judgment.
A Lesson for Liberia
Liberia's xenophobia crisis began August 31, 1822; when armed hostilities erupted between the vernacular-speaking natives and the Americo-Liberian settlers. In that war, the natives claimed that the Americo-Liberians were foreigners and therefore they should leave their land. During the constitutional convention in June of 1847, the natives were marginalized on the ground that they were foreigners not only because of their hostilities towards the settlers but also because the doctrines of their local religions were totally alien to Christianity - the religion of the settlers.
In 1862, the Liberian Supreme Court ruled that the natives were not citizens of Liberia. At the time of Liberia’s independence in 1847, the 40-mile coastal zone was adopted, constituting the nation’s territorial limits; the rest of the landmark, comprising Bong, Loaf, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh counties today, was probably believed to be inhabited by people declared foreigners by the 1862 Supreme Court. In the 1932 Sasstown rebellion, the Krus claimed that the ruling Americo-Liberians were foreigners and forcing the natives to pay taxes to a government in which they had no participation.
However, much to the surprise of historians, the native Liberians were also playing the xenophobia card among themselves, using the same arguments used in Ivory Coast to stereotype the Northerners. For example, members of the Mende ethnic group in Liberia are being stereotyped as foreigners from Sierra Leone, while the Mandingoes are being regarded as citizens of Guinea, not Liberia. There are claims that members of these ethnic groups bear foreign names and hold family ties to certain ethnic groups across the borders. Yet, no reference is made to members of the Kissi ethnic group who hold family ties in Sierra Leone and Guinea. No reference is made also to members of the Lorma and Mano ethnic groups who family ties in Guinea; and no reference is made to members of the Gio, Krahn and other tribal groups in Eastern Liberia who family ties in Ivory Coast. However, history differs with these claims and provides the following for reference.
History of the Liberian People
Liberia is a land of immigrants, and the four immigrant groups recognized in world’s history as “Liberians” include the Mel Group, comprising Gola and Kissi ethnic groups, which migrated to Liberia by way of Sierra Leone. The Kwa Group, whose origins can be traced to Mozambique in pre-dynasty times, consists of the Dei, Kru, Krahn, Grebo, Gbee, and Belle. The Mande Group, which migrated from Sudan, Mali, Senegal and Guinea, comprises the Vai, Mandingo, Gbandi, Kpelle, Lorma, Mende, Gio and Mano ethnic groups. The Settlers Group, which arrived from the United States, comprises liberated African- American slaves as well as freed slaves from Barbados.
The first ethnic group that arrived and settled in Liberia were the Deis. The second to arrive were the Golas followed by the Vais and Mandingoes. The Krahns, Gio, Grebos, Krus, Bassa and others came to Liberia by way of Ivory Coast. The Lorma and Mano ethnic groups came to Liberia by way of Guinea. The Mendes, Gbandis, Kissis and other ethnic groups migrated to Liberia by way of Sierra Leone. The last people to arrive in were the Americo-Liberians and freed slaves from Barbados. According to the science of genetic genealogy, those who are born today to parents of each of these ethnic groups are descendants of their ancestors who migrated to Liberia. Thus, by status of citizenship, each descendant is a citizen of Liberia by birth and also a citizen by descent in the country of his ancestors. For example, if the ancestors of the Kru ethnic group originated from Mozambique, then every Kru man today holds dual citizenship - that is, he a is citizen of Liberia by birth and by genealogy he is a citizen of Mozambique by descent.
Bearing Foreign Names
Most Liberians bearing foreign names may have acquired those names from their ancestors or one of their parents in a family who is a foreign citizen. A family in which one parent is a foreign citizen and the other parent is a local citizen mushrooms out of cross-border and inter-state marriages. Cross-border marriages take place between citizens in border towns linking Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. In tribal culture, such marriages begin with dating between males and females on both sides of the divide who meet at special occasions such as market days, festivities, wedding and funeral ceremonies. People in border towns of other countries are involved in the same inter- marriages, and the practice has been around since human beings were created.
In contrast, inter-state marriages mostly take place between people living in large cities of countries. For example, some Liberians prefer getting spouses from other countries or from the countries of their ancestors. At the end of the day, children born to such parents have always ended up with dual citizenship along with similar names used on both sides of the divide.
Family Ties to People in Foreign States
According to the genogram of each immigrant group in Liberia, members of the Vai, Gola, Mende , Kissi, and Gbandi ethnic groups have family ties in Sierra Leone because history believes they and similar ethnic groups in that country are descendants of the same ancestors. The same is true for members of the Kissi, Mandingo, Belle, Kpelle, and Mano ethnic groups who have family ties in Guinea and other countries. The same is also true for members of the Gio, Krahn, Grebo, Bassa, and Kru ethnic groups who have family ties in Ivory Coast and elsewhere. The Americo- Liberians also have family ties in America because their ancestors migrated from there and probably left families behind. Now, with these hard realities, is there any indigenous Liberian at home or abroad who holds a unitary citizenship with no foreign connection? Please speak out now or hold your peace forever.
Concluding Comments
It is clear that “citizenship” is at the heart of the Ivorian xenophobia crisis, and we hope it would be a lesson for Liberia. The starting point is to remember that by virtue of our genealogy, all of us hold dual citizenship. Moreover, since dual citizenship can be acquired by treaty, we should also remember that all of us hold multiple citizenships under the ECOWAS Treaty. Under this Treaty, ECOWAS citizens have the rights to stay or travel freely in ECOWAS member states. Therefore, the dual citizenship proposal is only intended to guarantee our protection under the law. Under the Dual Citizenship Law, members of the local ethnic groups who hold dual citizenship by descent or foreign parentage as well as Liberians who now hold dual citizenship in the Diasporas will be duly protected against future xenophobia stereotype which has long been the source of ethnic rivalries in Liberia.
“MAY GOD BLESS LIBERIA.”
Note: The Author has no more ambition of returning to public service. Therefore, his support for dual citizenship is not motivated by any political agenda.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Legal memorandum in support of dual citizenship in Liberia
INTRODUCTION
During the many years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation, more than 250,000 of our fellow Liberians lost their lives, the Nation’s economy and infrastructure--houses, schools, clinics, roads and bridges were damaged, and more than 900,000 Liberians, out of a pre-civil war population of about 3.2 million, were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. As time past, an appreciable number of the more than 900,000 Liberians, who were forced to flee their homes in Liberia, (1) settled in economically advanced countries; (2) gave birth to thousands of children in their host countries; (3) got married to citizens of other countries; (4) became naturalized citizens in their host countries; (5) took military and other employments in their host countries; (6) and acquired skills and expertise in various sectors.
As we work to transform our Nation from a post-conflict status into a stable, prosperous, and leading democracy, the Liberian government is urged to create an environment that will welcome and encourage Liberians at home and Non-Resident Liberians alike to adjust the new lives they have built so as to contribute more to our Nation’s development. One of the best ways to get Liberians to adjust the new lives they have built is for this Honorable Legislature to pass legislation that officially permits Liberians to have dual citizenship. The legislation will facilitate travel to and from Liberia and also remove obstacles to investment opportunities for Liberians who may want to contribute more to the Nation’s development.
The international trend is increasingly moving toward permitting dual citizenship, as countries recognize the reality of intense globalization, technological advancements, and the immense benefits of non-resident citizens traveling, living, and working abroad. Presently more than 150 countries, including African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, officially permit dual citizenship in some form. And there is overwhelming evidence that these countries are benefiting from dual citizenship. As the number of countries permitting dual citizenship continues to grow, the Liberian government is called upon here to answer an inescapable and important question regarding its people at home and abroad: when will Africa’s oldest independent republic, which is recovering from years of armed violence and persecution and has a large, active, and productive disapora population, officially recognize the reality and immense benefits of its citizens having dual citizenship?
METHODS FOR ACQUIRING LIBERIAN CITIZENSHIP
Liberian citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia and the Alien and Nationality Law:
Citizenship by Birth: Birth within the territory of Liberia does not automatically confer Liberian citizenship. There is an exception, however, for a child born to unknown parents. A child born or found within the territory of Liberia acquires Liberian citizenship if the child’s parents are unknown, their citizenship cannot be established, or they are stateless.
Citizenship by Descent: A person acquires Liberian citizenship at birth regardless of the person’s actual country of birth, if at least one of the person’s parents is a citizen of Liberia. Citizenship under this method permits a person to keep dual citizenship before reaching the age of majority (presently age 18). Upon reaching the age of majority, the person must renounce any other citizenship in order to keep Liberian citizenship.
Citizenship by Naturalization: Liberian citizenship maybe granted through naturalization upon the applicant’s satisfaction of the necessary requirements, or upon the waiver of such requirements by the President of Liberia.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP
Upon information and belief, loss of Liberian citizenship is found in Chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law and Volume II of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised.
Voluntary Loss: Voluntary renunciation of Liberian citizenship is permitted by law. A Liberian may renounce his or her Liberian citizenship through the nearest Liberian consulate.
Involuntary Loss: There are four conditions under which Liberian citizenship maybe lost involuntarily:
1. Any Liberian who obtains naturalization in a foreign state upon his or her own application, upon the application of a duly authorized agent, or through the naturalization of a parent having legal custody of such person; provided that citizenship shall not be lost by any person under this section as the result of the naturalization of a parent or parents while such person is under the age of 21 years, unless such person shall fail to enter Liberia to establish a permanent residence prior to his twenty-third birthday.
2. Taking a citizenship oath or making a formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state or to a political subdivision.
3. Exercising a free choice to enter or serve in the armed forces of a foreign state, unless prior to such entry or service, the person receives approval from the President of Liberia.
4. Voting in a political election in a foreign state.
CHAPTER 22 ENFORCEMENT PROVISION
Section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law provides that loss of Liberian citizenship is automatic if a person performs any of the four acts specified in section 22.1, and that the Liberian government is not required to institute any proceeding to nullify or cancel the person’s citizenship.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP DEFINED
Dual citizenship is the simultaneous possession of two citizenships. The concept recognizes that a person may have and exercise rights and responsibilities of citizenship in two countries.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP BY OPERATION OF LAW
Dual Citizenship by Birth: For example, a child born in the United States to a Liberian citizen will acquire American citizen by birth and Liberian citizenship by descent. Similarly, a child born in Liberia to a foreign parent and a Liberian citizen acquires Liberian citizenship by descent and may also acquire the citizenship of the foreign parent.
Dual Citizenship by Marriage: A Liberian citizen may automatically acquire the citizenship rights of his or her foreign spouse’s country, because some nations’ laws permit a person to become a naturalized citizen without going through the naturalization process upon the marriage to one of their citizens. Such a Liberian could legally hold dual citizenship, travel on the passport issued by his or her foreign spouse’s country, and without voting in that country’s election or serving in its armed forces, may hold dual citizenship in perpetuity because he or she obtained the foreign citizenship upon the marriage to a citizen of the foreign country and not by his or her formal application or upon the application of a duly authorized agent.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP BY DEFAULT
1. Because the Liberian government does not have an independent and credible way of knowing when a Liberian citizen becomes a naturalized citizen of another nation, dual citizenship can arise by default under the Nation’s unofficial don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy.
2. A Liberian citizen who serves in the armed forces of another country without the approval or knowledge of the Liberian government may still retain Liberian citizenship by default under the Nation’s unofficial don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy.
3. A Liberian citizen who acquires dual citizenship at birth and is not permitted by the law of a foreign country to renounce its citizenship may still retain Liberian citizenship, because some countries continue to recognize its people as citizens even after they become naturalized citizens of other countries.
4. A Liberian citizen who acquires dual citizenship at birth and fails to renounce his or her foreign citizenship at the age of majority may still retain Liberian citizenship, because the Liberian government does not have an independent and credible way of determining whether the foreign citizenship was renounced.
5. An applicant who meets the necessary requirements, recites the renunciation oath under Liberian law, and becomes a naturalized Liberian citizen may still retain his or her foreign citizenship regardless of what Liberian law says, because some countries’ laws require that their citizens may only renounce their citizenship before a competent authority within those countries’ borders or at their individual foreign embassies.
ARGUMENT ABOUT DIVIDED LOYALTY
The argument has been made that one cannot serve “two masters” at the same time, and that it maybe “divided loyalty” to officially allow Liberians to have dual citizenship. While we acknowledge the argument, we respectfully believe that dogma should not be put ahead of pragmatism. In fact, it would be an understatement to say that the pre-civil war Liberian society as we knew it has changed. Years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation caused more than 250,000 of our fellow Liberians to lose their lives. The Nation’s economy and infrastructure---houses, schools, clinics, roads and bridges were damaged. There was mass exodus in which more than 900,000 Liberians were forced to flee their homes, seek refuge in other countries, and built new lives in those countries. Moreover, we know it is not serving “two-masters” or “divided loyalty” when people with two parents take care of mom and dad. We also know it is not serving “two masters” or “divided loyalty” when people with girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, or husbands take care of their families and the families of their girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, or husbands. Laws are often amended to address society’s needs. The pre-civil law Liberian society as we knew it has changed, and so should our citizenship laws.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP THROUGH LEGAL LOOPHOLE
Section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia provides:
“The loss of citizenship under Section 22.1 of this title shall result solely from the performance by a citizen of the acts or fulfillment of the conditions specified in such section, and without the institution by the Government of any proceedings to nullify or cancel such citizenship.”
There is no doubt the Constitution gives the Liberian government the power to pass a law that provides for loss of Liberian citizenship. However broad the power of the government to pass such a law maybe, the government is required to stay within the limits set by the Nation’s Constitution. One of the constitutional violations regarding Chapter 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law is that it attempts to deprive Liberians of the constitutionally protected rights of citizenship without first providing for a hearing judgment consistent with due process of law. As the Honorable Senators and Representatives of the 52nd National Legislature are aware, procedural due process under Article 20(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with due process of law.
Procedural due process has been defined by various decisions of the Supreme Court of Liberia to be the following: (1) a tribunal competent to pass on the subject matter in dispute; (2) notice must be given to the party-of-interest to appear in person, with counsel, or both, to present evidence on his or her behalf; (3) the party-of-interest must have been duly served with process and must have submitted to the jurisdiction of the tribunal; and (4) where the party-of-interest, upon proper notice, fails to appear to present evidence on his or her behalf, the accusing party must still prove each element of its allegation before the tribunal.
As the self-executing enforcement provision of Chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law, which provides for automatic loss of Liberian citizenship upon a person’s performance of an act under section 22.1 does not meet any of the safeguards of procedural due process as announced by the Nation’s Constitution and Supreme Court, the Honorable Legislature is urged to officially recognize dual citizenship so as to permit all Liberians to benefit from the legal loophole section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law has caused. The legislation should be retroactive so as to clear doubts and save judicial resources, because if a section is invalid on its face it never had the force of law and nothing will stop Liberians who were said to have “lost” their Liberian citizenship pursuant to sections 22.1 and 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law from seeking a declaration from a competent Liberian court that the invalid sections did not affect their status as citizens of Liberia.
CONCLUSION
According to UNMIL statistics, there are about 450,000 Liberians living in the United States and Canada, another 250,000 more living in Western Europe, and hundreds of thousands more living in West Africa and other parts of the world. However, the number of Liberians living in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe is actually higher than what the statistics show. For example, the United States did not include Liberians who are naturalized American citizens or U.S.-born Liberians in its count, even if they claim Liberian citizenship. Moreover, World Bank and other sources show that Non-Resident Liberians, particularly those living in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, send more than $55 million U.S. dollars and goods in kind home annually to family members and friends in Liberia, and that between a quarter and a third of the population in Liberia benefit regularly from such overseas remittances. Official recognition of dual citizenship is in Liberia’s best interest. Even countries that have not experienced the kind of problems Liberia has have gone through great lengths to accommodate their non-resident sons and daughters and make them an active participant in the development of their countries of birth. We also know that the majority of Non-Resident Liberians who fled Liberia did so because of the many years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation, but they have always been and continue to be Liberians at heart. They have kept faith with Liberia by maintaining supportive ties with families and friends in Liberia and, on numerous occasions, have served as some of the most effective ambassadors Liberia has had in lobbying friendly governments for assistance and promoting a better understanding about the Liberian culture and people. In addition to the remittances Non-Resident Liberians send home to families and friends, the Nation can also benefit from the professional, technical, entrepreneurial skills, investment opportunities, expertise, and international presence of its non-resident citizens as we work to transform our Nation from a post-conflict status into a stable, prosperous, and leading democracy.
Issued by: Non-resident Liberians
During the many years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation, more than 250,000 of our fellow Liberians lost their lives, the Nation’s economy and infrastructure--houses, schools, clinics, roads and bridges were damaged, and more than 900,000 Liberians, out of a pre-civil war population of about 3.2 million, were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. As time past, an appreciable number of the more than 900,000 Liberians, who were forced to flee their homes in Liberia, (1) settled in economically advanced countries; (2) gave birth to thousands of children in their host countries; (3) got married to citizens of other countries; (4) became naturalized citizens in their host countries; (5) took military and other employments in their host countries; (6) and acquired skills and expertise in various sectors.
As we work to transform our Nation from a post-conflict status into a stable, prosperous, and leading democracy, the Liberian government is urged to create an environment that will welcome and encourage Liberians at home and Non-Resident Liberians alike to adjust the new lives they have built so as to contribute more to our Nation’s development. One of the best ways to get Liberians to adjust the new lives they have built is for this Honorable Legislature to pass legislation that officially permits Liberians to have dual citizenship. The legislation will facilitate travel to and from Liberia and also remove obstacles to investment opportunities for Liberians who may want to contribute more to the Nation’s development.
The international trend is increasingly moving toward permitting dual citizenship, as countries recognize the reality of intense globalization, technological advancements, and the immense benefits of non-resident citizens traveling, living, and working abroad. Presently more than 150 countries, including African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, officially permit dual citizenship in some form. And there is overwhelming evidence that these countries are benefiting from dual citizenship. As the number of countries permitting dual citizenship continues to grow, the Liberian government is called upon here to answer an inescapable and important question regarding its people at home and abroad: when will Africa’s oldest independent republic, which is recovering from years of armed violence and persecution and has a large, active, and productive disapora population, officially recognize the reality and immense benefits of its citizens having dual citizenship?
METHODS FOR ACQUIRING LIBERIAN CITIZENSHIP
Liberian citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia and the Alien and Nationality Law:
Citizenship by Birth: Birth within the territory of Liberia does not automatically confer Liberian citizenship. There is an exception, however, for a child born to unknown parents. A child born or found within the territory of Liberia acquires Liberian citizenship if the child’s parents are unknown, their citizenship cannot be established, or they are stateless.
Citizenship by Descent: A person acquires Liberian citizenship at birth regardless of the person’s actual country of birth, if at least one of the person’s parents is a citizen of Liberia. Citizenship under this method permits a person to keep dual citizenship before reaching the age of majority (presently age 18). Upon reaching the age of majority, the person must renounce any other citizenship in order to keep Liberian citizenship.
Citizenship by Naturalization: Liberian citizenship maybe granted through naturalization upon the applicant’s satisfaction of the necessary requirements, or upon the waiver of such requirements by the President of Liberia.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP
Upon information and belief, loss of Liberian citizenship is found in Chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law and Volume II of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised.
Voluntary Loss: Voluntary renunciation of Liberian citizenship is permitted by law. A Liberian may renounce his or her Liberian citizenship through the nearest Liberian consulate.
Involuntary Loss: There are four conditions under which Liberian citizenship maybe lost involuntarily:
1. Any Liberian who obtains naturalization in a foreign state upon his or her own application, upon the application of a duly authorized agent, or through the naturalization of a parent having legal custody of such person; provided that citizenship shall not be lost by any person under this section as the result of the naturalization of a parent or parents while such person is under the age of 21 years, unless such person shall fail to enter Liberia to establish a permanent residence prior to his twenty-third birthday.
2. Taking a citizenship oath or making a formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state or to a political subdivision.
3. Exercising a free choice to enter or serve in the armed forces of a foreign state, unless prior to such entry or service, the person receives approval from the President of Liberia.
4. Voting in a political election in a foreign state.
CHAPTER 22 ENFORCEMENT PROVISION
Section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law provides that loss of Liberian citizenship is automatic if a person performs any of the four acts specified in section 22.1, and that the Liberian government is not required to institute any proceeding to nullify or cancel the person’s citizenship.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP DEFINED
Dual citizenship is the simultaneous possession of two citizenships. The concept recognizes that a person may have and exercise rights and responsibilities of citizenship in two countries.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP BY OPERATION OF LAW
Dual Citizenship by Birth: For example, a child born in the United States to a Liberian citizen will acquire American citizen by birth and Liberian citizenship by descent. Similarly, a child born in Liberia to a foreign parent and a Liberian citizen acquires Liberian citizenship by descent and may also acquire the citizenship of the foreign parent.
Dual Citizenship by Marriage: A Liberian citizen may automatically acquire the citizenship rights of his or her foreign spouse’s country, because some nations’ laws permit a person to become a naturalized citizen without going through the naturalization process upon the marriage to one of their citizens. Such a Liberian could legally hold dual citizenship, travel on the passport issued by his or her foreign spouse’s country, and without voting in that country’s election or serving in its armed forces, may hold dual citizenship in perpetuity because he or she obtained the foreign citizenship upon the marriage to a citizen of the foreign country and not by his or her formal application or upon the application of a duly authorized agent.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP BY DEFAULT
1. Because the Liberian government does not have an independent and credible way of knowing when a Liberian citizen becomes a naturalized citizen of another nation, dual citizenship can arise by default under the Nation’s unofficial don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy.
2. A Liberian citizen who serves in the armed forces of another country without the approval or knowledge of the Liberian government may still retain Liberian citizenship by default under the Nation’s unofficial don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy.
3. A Liberian citizen who acquires dual citizenship at birth and is not permitted by the law of a foreign country to renounce its citizenship may still retain Liberian citizenship, because some countries continue to recognize its people as citizens even after they become naturalized citizens of other countries.
4. A Liberian citizen who acquires dual citizenship at birth and fails to renounce his or her foreign citizenship at the age of majority may still retain Liberian citizenship, because the Liberian government does not have an independent and credible way of determining whether the foreign citizenship was renounced.
5. An applicant who meets the necessary requirements, recites the renunciation oath under Liberian law, and becomes a naturalized Liberian citizen may still retain his or her foreign citizenship regardless of what Liberian law says, because some countries’ laws require that their citizens may only renounce their citizenship before a competent authority within those countries’ borders or at their individual foreign embassies.
ARGUMENT ABOUT DIVIDED LOYALTY
The argument has been made that one cannot serve “two masters” at the same time, and that it maybe “divided loyalty” to officially allow Liberians to have dual citizenship. While we acknowledge the argument, we respectfully believe that dogma should not be put ahead of pragmatism. In fact, it would be an understatement to say that the pre-civil war Liberian society as we knew it has changed. Years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation caused more than 250,000 of our fellow Liberians to lose their lives. The Nation’s economy and infrastructure---houses, schools, clinics, roads and bridges were damaged. There was mass exodus in which more than 900,000 Liberians were forced to flee their homes, seek refuge in other countries, and built new lives in those countries. Moreover, we know it is not serving “two-masters” or “divided loyalty” when people with two parents take care of mom and dad. We also know it is not serving “two masters” or “divided loyalty” when people with girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, or husbands take care of their families and the families of their girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, or husbands. Laws are often amended to address society’s needs. The pre-civil law Liberian society as we knew it has changed, and so should our citizenship laws.
DUAL CITIZENSHIP THROUGH LEGAL LOOPHOLE
Section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia provides:
“The loss of citizenship under Section 22.1 of this title shall result solely from the performance by a citizen of the acts or fulfillment of the conditions specified in such section, and without the institution by the Government of any proceedings to nullify or cancel such citizenship.”
There is no doubt the Constitution gives the Liberian government the power to pass a law that provides for loss of Liberian citizenship. However broad the power of the government to pass such a law maybe, the government is required to stay within the limits set by the Nation’s Constitution. One of the constitutional violations regarding Chapter 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law is that it attempts to deprive Liberians of the constitutionally protected rights of citizenship without first providing for a hearing judgment consistent with due process of law. As the Honorable Senators and Representatives of the 52nd National Legislature are aware, procedural due process under Article 20(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, security of the person, property, privilege or any other right except as the outcome of a hearing judgment consistent with due process of law.
Procedural due process has been defined by various decisions of the Supreme Court of Liberia to be the following: (1) a tribunal competent to pass on the subject matter in dispute; (2) notice must be given to the party-of-interest to appear in person, with counsel, or both, to present evidence on his or her behalf; (3) the party-of-interest must have been duly served with process and must have submitted to the jurisdiction of the tribunal; and (4) where the party-of-interest, upon proper notice, fails to appear to present evidence on his or her behalf, the accusing party must still prove each element of its allegation before the tribunal.
As the self-executing enforcement provision of Chapter 22 of the Alien and Nationality Law, which provides for automatic loss of Liberian citizenship upon a person’s performance of an act under section 22.1 does not meet any of the safeguards of procedural due process as announced by the Nation’s Constitution and Supreme Court, the Honorable Legislature is urged to officially recognize dual citizenship so as to permit all Liberians to benefit from the legal loophole section 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law has caused. The legislation should be retroactive so as to clear doubts and save judicial resources, because if a section is invalid on its face it never had the force of law and nothing will stop Liberians who were said to have “lost” their Liberian citizenship pursuant to sections 22.1 and 22.2 of the Alien and Nationality Law from seeking a declaration from a competent Liberian court that the invalid sections did not affect their status as citizens of Liberia.
CONCLUSION
According to UNMIL statistics, there are about 450,000 Liberians living in the United States and Canada, another 250,000 more living in Western Europe, and hundreds of thousands more living in West Africa and other parts of the world. However, the number of Liberians living in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe is actually higher than what the statistics show. For example, the United States did not include Liberians who are naturalized American citizens or U.S.-born Liberians in its count, even if they claim Liberian citizenship. Moreover, World Bank and other sources show that Non-Resident Liberians, particularly those living in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, send more than $55 million U.S. dollars and goods in kind home annually to family members and friends in Liberia, and that between a quarter and a third of the population in Liberia benefit regularly from such overseas remittances. Official recognition of dual citizenship is in Liberia’s best interest. Even countries that have not experienced the kind of problems Liberia has have gone through great lengths to accommodate their non-resident sons and daughters and make them an active participant in the development of their countries of birth. We also know that the majority of Non-Resident Liberians who fled Liberia did so because of the many years of armed violence and persecution in our Nation, but they have always been and continue to be Liberians at heart. They have kept faith with Liberia by maintaining supportive ties with families and friends in Liberia and, on numerous occasions, have served as some of the most effective ambassadors Liberia has had in lobbying friendly governments for assistance and promoting a better understanding about the Liberian culture and people. In addition to the remittances Non-Resident Liberians send home to families and friends, the Nation can also benefit from the professional, technical, entrepreneurial skills, investment opportunities, expertise, and international presence of its non-resident citizens as we work to transform our Nation from a post-conflict status into a stable, prosperous, and leading democracy.
Issued by: Non-resident Liberians
Related articles:
: http://www.liberianforum.com/letters-to-the-editor/is-dual-citizenship-the-pathway-to-liberia-s-develop.html
http://www.liberianforum.com/press-releases/liberia-moves-closer-to-allowing-dual-citizenship.html
http://szinnah.blogspot.com/2007/08/dual-citizenship-for-liberia-factors.html
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4170
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4578
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4565
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4572
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4585
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4669
http://limap.org/limaparticle895.htm
http://www.tlcafrica.com/article_dual_citizenship.htm
http://www.liberianforum.com/press-releases/liberia-moves-closer-to-allowing-dual-citizenship.html
http://szinnah.blogspot.com/2007/08/dual-citizenship-for-liberia-factors.html
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4170
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4578
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4565
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4572
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4585
http://www.frontpageafrica.com/Newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4669
http://limap.org/limaparticle895.htm
http://www.tlcafrica.com/article_dual_citizenship.htm
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Liberia Moves Closer to Allowing Dual Citizen
July 24, 2007
Earlier today Honorable Armah Sarnor, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Honorable Vaforay Kamara, Chairman of the House Human and Civil Rights Committee, matched vision with kindness and introduced an Act in the House of Representatives to protect all Liberians from the involuntary loss of their Liberian citizenship when they become naturalized citizens of another country or serve in the armed forces of another country without the prior approval of the President of Liberia. Non-Resident Liberians are pleased the Liberian government has taken an important step in addressing an issue that is of great importance to Liberia.
We place great weight on the importance of Liberian citizenship and on the importance of promoting the Liberian people and culture. Due to the realities facing Liberia and the changing nature and scope of world affairs, Liberia’s citizenship law must be relevant to the realities of modern life. The citizenship act presently before the House of Representatives will help to create a more robust Liberian society and allow Liberia to better compete with the growing number of countries that are benefiting from dual citizenship.
When passed by the House of Representatives and Senate and signed into law by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Act will ensure that all Liberians can take advantage of opportunities abroad and return with their valuable knowledge and expertise to contribute a lot more to Liberia’s development.
The growing call for change is simply too loud to ignore. The dual citizenship petition drive has galvanized and motivated Liberians in a way never before seen. And we are pleased that Honorable Armah Sarnor and Honorable Vaforay Kamara have given legislative voice to Liberians worldwide and are leading the charge to pass the Act to allow dual citizenship. We trust that other members of the Honorable 52nd National Legislature will match vision with kindness and join Honorable Sarnor and Honorable Kamara in passing this important Act.
Signed:
Alvin Teage Jalloh, Esq.
Counsel for Non-Resident Liberians
Earlier today Honorable Armah Sarnor, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Honorable Vaforay Kamara, Chairman of the House Human and Civil Rights Committee, matched vision with kindness and introduced an Act in the House of Representatives to protect all Liberians from the involuntary loss of their Liberian citizenship when they become naturalized citizens of another country or serve in the armed forces of another country without the prior approval of the President of Liberia. Non-Resident Liberians are pleased the Liberian government has taken an important step in addressing an issue that is of great importance to Liberia.
We place great weight on the importance of Liberian citizenship and on the importance of promoting the Liberian people and culture. Due to the realities facing Liberia and the changing nature and scope of world affairs, Liberia’s citizenship law must be relevant to the realities of modern life. The citizenship act presently before the House of Representatives will help to create a more robust Liberian society and allow Liberia to better compete with the growing number of countries that are benefiting from dual citizenship.
When passed by the House of Representatives and Senate and signed into law by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Act will ensure that all Liberians can take advantage of opportunities abroad and return with their valuable knowledge and expertise to contribute a lot more to Liberia’s development.
The growing call for change is simply too loud to ignore. The dual citizenship petition drive has galvanized and motivated Liberians in a way never before seen. And we are pleased that Honorable Armah Sarnor and Honorable Vaforay Kamara have given legislative voice to Liberians worldwide and are leading the charge to pass the Act to allow dual citizenship. We trust that other members of the Honorable 52nd National Legislature will match vision with kindness and join Honorable Sarnor and Honorable Kamara in passing this important Act.
Signed:
Alvin Teage Jalloh, Esq.
Counsel for Non-Resident Liberians
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
How Bush and Cheney fabricated lies to invade Iraq
By: Sam K Zinnah
Editor-in-chief
On Sunday, March 16, 2003, Vice President Dick Cheney emerged from his cave to appear on the NBC News “Meet the Press” show, for a one-hour interview with Tim Russert. In the course of the hour, Cheney all-but-announced that there was nothing that Saddam Hussein could do to avert an unprovoked and unjustifiable American military invasion of Iraq. Cheney repeatedly referred to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as the “historic watershed” that, for the first time, justified an American unilateral preventive war. Yet Cheney himself, a dozen years earlier, had embraced the idea of preventive war--not against a Saddam Hussein who had been armed by the Reagan and Bush Administrations with weapons of mass destruction, but against any nation or combination of nations that challenged American global military primacy in the post-Soviet world. On the pivotal issue of preventive war, Cheney was lying, willfully. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Cheney's extraordinary hour-long pronouncement was composed, almost exclusively, of disinformation, which had either already been publicly discredited, or would soon be exposed as lies.
Cheney asserted that Saddam Hussein was actively pursuing the acquisition of nuclear weapons, when, days earlier, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief weapons inspector Mohammed El-Baradei had testified before the UN Security Council that the allegations were based on documents determined to be forgeries. Indeed, in the March 31 issue of The New Yorker magazine, investigative reporter Seymour Hersh detailed how IAEA investigators had determined, in just several hours of research, that purported Niger government communiqués confirming the sale of 500 tons of “yellow cake” uranium precursor to Baghdad, were shoddy forgeries, drawn up on outdated Niger government letterheads. Hersh wrote that the forgeries were passed to the Bush Administration, through British MI6, and had probably originated with the British intelligence service, with the Mossad, or with Iraqi oppositionists affiliated with the Iraqi National Congress (INC) of Dr. Ahmed Chalabi.
Cheney also repeated the by-then-thoroughly-discredited charge that Saddam Hussein had “longstanding” ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, and that it was “only a matter of time” before Saddam Hussein provided the bin Laden gang with weapons of mass destruction--biological, chemical, and, ultimately, nuclear. As Cheney well knew, an October 2002 assessment from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director George Tenet, delivered to the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee, had pointedly stated that Saddam Hussein would only resort to WMD, or engage with al-Qaeda, if he felt that he was backed into a corner and facing imminent American military attack. Repeated efforts by “war party” operatives, like former Director of Central Intelligence and Iraqi National Congress lobbyist R. James Woolsey, had failed to turn up any credible evidence of Saddam-al-Qaeda links, particularly prior to Sept. 11, 2001.
Perhaps Cheney's biggest lie--which flew in the face of all assessments from the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and State Department Middle East experts--was that the military conquest of Iraq would be a “cakewalk.” Cheney told Russert, “Now, I think things have gotten so bad inside Iraq, from the standpoint of the Iraqi people, my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
Russert challenged Cheney's rosy forecast: “If your analysis is not correct, and we're not treated as liberators, but conquerors, and the Iraqis begin to resist, particularly in Baghdad, do you think the American people are prepared for a long, costly, and bloody battle with significant American casualties?”
To which Cheney responded: “Well, I don't think it's likely to unfold that way, Tim, because I really do believe that we will be greeted as liberators. I've talked with a lot of Iraqis in the last several months myself, had them to the White House.... The read we get on the people of Iraq is there is no question but that they want to get rid of Saddam Hussein and they will welcome as liberators the United States when we come to do that.” Later in the interview, Cheney added, “If you look at the opposition, they've come together, I think, very effectively, with representatives from Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish elements in the population.”
Towards the end of his performance, the Vice President extended his “cakewalk liberation” forecast, to further assert that American preventive military action to overthrow Saddam Hussein would stabilize the Middle East. He cited Dr. Bernard Lewis, the British Arab Bureau spook and author of the “Arc of Crisis,” “Islamic card” fiasco, as his authority: “I firmly believe, along with, you know, men like Bernard Lewis, who's one of the great, I think, students of that part of the world, that strong, firm U.S. response to terror and to threats to the United States would go a long way, frankly, towards calming things in that part of the world.”
Almost exactly 80 hours after Cheney's appearance on NBC-TV, the United States launched an unprovoked and unnecessary war on Iraq. According to Washington-based senior Arab diplomatic sources, governments of the Middle East were told by top Bush Administration officials, on the eve of the attack, that the Iraq war would be over in seven Vice President Cheney's lying performance on “Meet the Press” was no mere act of personal hubris and folly. His declaration of preventive war against Iraq--which neo-conservative allies, like self-professed “universal fascist” Michael Ledeen, more frankly celebrated as the beginning of a perpetual Clash of Civilizations war, targeting virtually every Arab nation-state in the Middle East--marked the culmination of a campaign of more than a dozen years, to permanently redraw the map of the Near East and Persian Gulf, through unending war and colonialist raw material seizure.
Even more than that, it signaled a long-in-the-making policy putsch in Washington by a small group of neo-conservatives--a majority of whom were followers of the German-born fascist philosopher Leo Strauss (1899-1973). Their policy is to permanently transform the United States, from a Constitutional republic, dedicated to the pursuit of the general welfare and a community of principle among perfectly sovereign nation-states, into a brutish, post-modern imitation of the Roman Empire, engaged in murderous imperial adventures abroad, and brutal police-state repression at home.
Reaction
Before President George W Bush Jr ordered the Iraq invasion on 3/30/2003, he received numerous warnings from people “high and low” telling him that the U.S. had not proven its case against Iraq, and that Iraq probably did not possess Weapons of Mass destructions (WMD). But according to the March 31, 2003 issue of The New Yorker magazine, Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh had detailed how International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) chief weapons inspector Mohammed El-Baradei had testified before the U.N. Security Council that the allegations were based on documents determined to be forgeries by the Bush administration in collaboration with Iraqi opposition members. President Bush with his mater plan lairs went ahead and began attacking Iraq at about 2:30 GMT on March 20, 2003.
Since March 20, 2003, the U.S. led coalition-forces have suffered heavy casualties from insurgents in Iraq. Up to present, there seem to be no clear Democratic future of Iraq. The situation has become completely dangerous but Bush and his oil-greedy-conservative-Republicans continued to lie to the world about the uncontrollable situation in Iraq.
Bipolar disorder
Most Scientists believe or agree that multiple factor cause bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests a strong hereditary component. The disease affects men and women about equally, but men who have it experience more manic episodes, are hospitalized most frequently for treatment, and are more likely abuse alcohol and drugs.
Bipolar disorder generally surfaces in teens and young adults, but various age-related conditions can influence diagnosis. For example, in children, determining weather the signs and symptoms are due to bipolar disorder or another condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be challenging. In adolescence, hormonal influences can trigger similar signs and symptoms.
An older adult with bipolar disorder may seek help for depression but not report elevated moods. Also, signs and symptoms of comorbid conditions such as an endocrine disease, electrolyte imbalance, adverse drugs reactions, or a neurological disorder can mimic those of bipolar disorder. If the patient gets a mental health diagnosis at all, it may be inaccurate, and inappropriate treatment could cause implication.
Reaching a bipolar diagnosis
The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is based on the patient’s signs and symptoms, the cause of illness, and family history when available. The mental health care provider may use a standardized rating scale such as the mood disorder questionnaire to aid diagnosis. Classic bipolar disorder with recurrent episodes of full-blown mania and depression is called bipolar 1 disorder.
Four or more episodes of illness within a year are called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Multiple episodes can occur within a week or even in one day. A severe episode of mania or depression can trigger psychosis and lead to an incorrect diagnosis of schizophrenia. During extreme mania, the patient may have delusions of great wealth or power resulting to terrible thing such as murdering someone.
Risky behavior of bipolar disorder patients
A person with bipolar disorder has a high risk of destructive behaviors, including suicide, addition, and violence. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide risk appears higher now than few years ago. The risk of bipolar may be higher when the patient is emerging from depression-before the mood but when better able to make and act on decisions. A suicide attempt may be overt, such as taking a drugs overdose, or covert, such as entering situations with a high risk of death. The American psychiatric Association (APA) cites a probable suicide completion rate of 10% to 15% in people with bipolar 1 disorder.
The APA cites the use of drugs or alcohol as a risk factor for suicide, and substance abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder. They may turn to these substances in an attempt to manage symptoms, but this kind of self medication can lead to addition, which complicates treatment.
A patient in the manic phase may have extreme of anger and aggressiveness. Someone having delusions may believe that someone or everyone is against them and act to protect themselves, posting a risk of harm to themselves or others.
Methods to manage mood
In 2005, the APA updated its guardlines for treating someone with bipolar disorder. They detailed a “substantially expanded set of options” for treatment based on results of recent scientific studies. Lithium (Eskalith), divalproex (Depakote), and carbamazepine (tagretol) are commonly used as first-line mood stabilizers, and anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and antidepressants may be prescribed as well. Psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) also may play a role in therapy.
Lithium is a simple alkali metal that’s similar to sodium, has been used over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder. Often very effective at controlling mood, it has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause various adverse reactions. Safe, effective therapy depends on maintaining the patient’s plasma lithium level within the therapeutic range, so frequent monitoring initiation and periodic checks during long-term therapy are essential.
How to intervene
Because bipolar disorder is a chronic illness, one may encounter a patient with this diagnosis in any setting. Interventions include assessing and protecting the patient, administering medications and monitoring their effects, and teaching the patient and his or her family, if appropriate, about the disorder and treatment. To foster a positive response, try to establish a supportive relationship and provide a safe, structured environment.
Suicide and homicide are the most dangerous potential consequences of bipolar disorder. If the patient mentions killing his or herself or others, take it seriously.
Bipolar disorder generally surfaces in teens and young adults, but various age-related conditions can influence diagnosis. For example, in children, determining weather the signs and symptoms are due to bipolar disorder or another condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be challenging. In adolescence, hormonal influences can trigger similar signs and symptoms.
An older adult with bipolar disorder may seek help for depression but not report elevated moods. Also, signs and symptoms of comorbid conditions such as an endocrine disease, electrolyte imbalance, adverse drugs reactions, or a neurological disorder can mimic those of bipolar disorder. If the patient gets a mental health diagnosis at all, it may be inaccurate, and inappropriate treatment could cause implication.
Reaching a bipolar diagnosis
The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is based on the patient’s signs and symptoms, the cause of illness, and family history when available. The mental health care provider may use a standardized rating scale such as the mood disorder questionnaire to aid diagnosis. Classic bipolar disorder with recurrent episodes of full-blown mania and depression is called bipolar 1 disorder.
Four or more episodes of illness within a year are called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Multiple episodes can occur within a week or even in one day. A severe episode of mania or depression can trigger psychosis and lead to an incorrect diagnosis of schizophrenia. During extreme mania, the patient may have delusions of great wealth or power resulting to terrible thing such as murdering someone.
Risky behavior of bipolar disorder patients
A person with bipolar disorder has a high risk of destructive behaviors, including suicide, addition, and violence. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide risk appears higher now than few years ago. The risk of bipolar may be higher when the patient is emerging from depression-before the mood but when better able to make and act on decisions. A suicide attempt may be overt, such as taking a drugs overdose, or covert, such as entering situations with a high risk of death. The American psychiatric Association (APA) cites a probable suicide completion rate of 10% to 15% in people with bipolar 1 disorder.
The APA cites the use of drugs or alcohol as a risk factor for suicide, and substance abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder. They may turn to these substances in an attempt to manage symptoms, but this kind of self medication can lead to addition, which complicates treatment.
A patient in the manic phase may have extreme of anger and aggressiveness. Someone having delusions may believe that someone or everyone is against them and act to protect themselves, posting a risk of harm to themselves or others.
Methods to manage mood
In 2005, the APA updated its guardlines for treating someone with bipolar disorder. They detailed a “substantially expanded set of options” for treatment based on results of recent scientific studies. Lithium (Eskalith), divalproex (Depakote), and carbamazepine (tagretol) are commonly used as first-line mood stabilizers, and anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and antidepressants may be prescribed as well. Psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) also may play a role in therapy.
Lithium is a simple alkali metal that’s similar to sodium, has been used over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder. Often very effective at controlling mood, it has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause various adverse reactions. Safe, effective therapy depends on maintaining the patient’s plasma lithium level within the therapeutic range, so frequent monitoring initiation and periodic checks during long-term therapy are essential.
How to intervene
Because bipolar disorder is a chronic illness, one may encounter a patient with this diagnosis in any setting. Interventions include assessing and protecting the patient, administering medications and monitoring their effects, and teaching the patient and his or her family, if appropriate, about the disorder and treatment. To foster a positive response, try to establish a supportive relationship and provide a safe, structured environment.
Suicide and homicide are the most dangerous potential consequences of bipolar disorder. If the patient mentions killing his or herself or others, take it seriously.
The Dark Continent of Africa
By Sam K Zinnah
Africa, often referred to as the “Dark continent” solely because the west and the United States knew less about it and its people, remains underdeveloped. The continent is considered underdeveloped in the sense that many of its people make poor living by simple farming.
Underdevelopment in Africa also means the use of poor human resources as the result of illiteracy, poor health conditions and of course, fewer factories. Due to inability to use modern methods, nearly all of Africa’s raw materials are exported to the west. Africa also remains underdeveloped because of the substantial amount of dry land. The heat and rain in some parts affect almost everything. However, it is important to add that from the days of Vasco da agama until the present time, the rest of the world’s interest in the African continent has been just how much they can get out of it.
As the world’s second largest continent, Africa occupied a huge land mass on the face of the earth. It has 11,704,00 square miles, or 30,312,000 kilometers in size. Although covering 20 percent of the world’s land mass, it seems to be one of the less crowded areas on Earth. It has also been recorded that approximately 10 to 12 percent of world’s population resides on the continent (Africa).
The continent of Africa is geographically bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea with Tunisia at its northernmost tip, while the Cape of Good Hope is located on its southern tip. The Atlantic and Indian oceans are both east and west of the continent respectively. It is important to emphasize that the northern part is separated from Europe by the Mediterranean. However, most of Africa is isolated from the Mediterranean world by the Sahara Desert and from the rest of the world by its own topography.
Africa is considered the birthplace of man “according to recent skulls discovered in the Olduvai Gorge”. There are also certain parts of Africa that are modern and up-to-date just as in the west. Still millions of square miles of its land are considered wide jungle. The estimated population of Africa in the 1990s is 600 million. This number is still a small one for such a large area which includes not only “real” Africans, but millions of immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Asia Minor.
When referring to the African people and their cultures, it should be taken into consideration that they are diverse, therefore they have diverse cultures. However, to be able to elaborate on diversity and complexity of the African’s way of life, it is necessary to briefly consider the topography of this huge continent. The part of Africa which is south of the Sahara is mostly composed of grassland that merges into the equatorial rain forest which stretches from the west, across the gulf of guinea and into the central area around the Congo basin. The former Abyssinia plateau, the area known as Ethiopia, is considered the most important mountain area in this particular region. The source of the blue Nine within twin ranges of the African continent. These ranges are divided by the Great Rift Valley and the Darkensberg Mountain located in the eastern part of the South African Republic. Mount Kilimanjaro which is 19,040 feet above sea level is the highest peak found in Africa and in the Kenyan plateau around the eastern park of the Great Rift. Some areas of the south and west of Africa are interior Veldor plateau, which is the well known Kalahari Desert. This information has a bearing on the education of African students because the economic and educational developments is most of the African countries are affected by the continent’s topography. The Africa of the 1990’s is composed of different races found in the eight regions of the continent, they are as follows: Coastal West Africa; Central Africa; Equatorial West Africa; Southern Africa, the East African Island Nations; Eastern African; and the Arab North Africa. The people of Africa range in physical appearance from the dark-skinned Negroes pf the west, to the light-skinned Caucasoid of northern Africa, and the fair skinned people and the European descendants in the mostly ruled southern part of the continent.
The People of Africa
Africa appears to be the only continent among the seven which is composed of different races and diversified cultures. For instance, a segment of Hamitic-Negroes located in Black Africa, South of the Sahara, are believed to have founded the first empire of West Africa around the year 4 AD. It has also been recorded that the people from the Middle East who settle in the Nile Valley are presumed to have begun agricultural developments some thousand years before the birth of Christ. The Egyptians are reported to have developed our 365 day calendar. Besides, they were the ones who in world history adopted the concept of life after death. Yet, the Africans of today are looked upon as the hopeless and the poorest of all the races on earth. They were once at the top, but today Africa and its people must depend on the United States and the West for survival. Because of this, African young people come to the United States to seek knowledge which was lost, and to take it back home.
As we continue to concentrate on Africa and its people, it might be necessary to continue to mention that the history of the western part of Africa, south of the Sahara, has been that of encounters from the time Islam arrived in that area. Most of the antagonisms during this period of the African history developed among the Hamitic Negro tribes, the Songhai, and the Mandingos around one thousand AD. Wherefore, there were sequences of revolutions in these kingdoms that resulted in the movement of the dark-skinned Africans to coastal areas such as Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, our today’s Ivory Coast, etc.
Most of the Europeans traveled to Africa simply because of what there was to take out while others entered the region as missionaries. The Portuguese arrived as early as the 15th century when their navigators made their way to areas such as our present day Senegal and Guinea. This time period also coincided with Columbus’ discovery of America. The Dutch reached the Southern portion of Africa in 1652, while the British Union Jack began flying in Cape Town 19 years after the United States independence. It is essential to note that after the ending of the American civil war in the 18th century there were concerns toward the granting of freedom to blacks. Therefore, in the 18th century, a society of Abolition under the leadership of Granville Sharp move to our today’s Sierra Leone in West Africa. In 1788, tleve years after the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, the Temne King Naimbana was supposed to have signed a land agreement for some freed slaves. Thirty four years later, the American colonization society sent the first freed black to our today’s Liberia, the first independent country in Africa. The first group of the settlers according to the Liberian History arrived in this part of West Africa in January of 1822.
It should be recorded that in spite of the location of the African continent and the diversity of its languages, people and cultures, there are still different groups. Although it is considered the second largest of the world’s seven bodies of land, Africa’s topography has caused most of the delays in its progress. As a result of these complications, developments in most parts of Africa have not been dramatic. Secondly, the complexities of the Africans and their cultures are extremely unique and difficult to comprehend.
Even though there is a desirer among African educators at home and the studies aboard for universal education, such quests present enormous problems due to the lack of financial resources; the shortages of qualified teachers, learning and teaching facilities and above all the great profusion of the African languages.
Although most of the African students, especially the independent ones in the united states are products of such complicated communities, nonetheless, they are determined to make those issues secondary to their search for western education. Even with the efforts of Negritude, a belief that Negro Africans, including their descendants in the New World, have common culture traditions, the people of Africa and their cultures remain diverse. Pan-Africanism emerged as a response to colonialism and was used to simulate economic development, form joint international policies and discourage Western imperialism. The philosophy of Negritude was first conceived by two outstanding poets of the third world: Aime Cesaire from Martinique in the West Indies; and the first president, poet, and one of Africa’s leading educators, Leopold Seder Senghor of Senegal in West Africa. The primary objective of Negritude was to reassert the many traditions which were disrupted through centuries of colonialism in Africa. In summary, it is well to note that Pan-Africanism appears to be the political counterpart of Negritude. Its goal to promote self-government in the third world, especially in Africa, has been a struggle that acknowledges political independence without economic independence is no independence at all.
The tribal groups and languages
Apart form the European languages introduced by immigrants and former colonial masters in Africa, languages of the African continent may classify into four principal families. The four main classifications are: the sudanic, the Afro-Asian, the Niger-Congo, and the click. The Niger-Congo family is widely spoken across the continent. In addition, English, French and the Swahili languages are spoken throughout Africa especially in the west and the eastern parts of the continent. The Arabic language is mostly spoken in North Africa.
It is essential to mention that the Arabic languages has profoundly influenced the Hausa in Nigeria as well as the Swahili language in some parts of west and east Africa, due to the Islamic majority in those areas. There are also hundreds of those languages within these four families spoken in Africa. Because of the numerous languages, African students who are studying in the United States are experiencing difficulties in making language adjustments. For instance, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa has about 100 ethnic groups; each with its own language, but English remains Nigeria’s official language. However, Nigeria’s predominant languages include: the ibos, the Yoruba, and also the kanieri. With these listed and hundreds more minor ones such as the Fulani, Nupe, the Tiv and many other languages throughout the country, English is used in official communications. Liberia, another West African state with a population of approximately 3.3 million has twenty eight different tribal groups which are speaking 16 separate major languages, the predominant of which are: the Kepelle, Via, Lumba, the kru, Bassa, the Kran, Gio and the Grebo. Liberia with all these languages uses English in all her official communications. In Sierra Leone, another west African country, the creole, mende, the femene, kero and mandingo are some of the leading languages, but English is officially used in public interactions. On the other hand, Afrikaans, Heroro, Nama and Owambo are spoken in Namibia for communication. These above languages and tribal backgrounds among the Africans make it difficult for some African students in the United States to cope with their studies in certain areas of learning.
There is much diversity among Africans south of the Sahara. For example, small bands of Bushmen who depend on hunting still exist in some African communities, while counties like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal and many others live in cultures rich in history and arts. Therefore, to describe the African people and their cultures, one must consider not only in terms of race, rather, in terms of language, the complicated groups and the diversity of cultures. In split of these numerous cultures, Africans regardless of their location, share a common cultural base which has just been understood by historians and anthropologists of the non-African communities.
A vast majority of the African students who are presently pursuing their studies in the United States are originals of many of these tribal groups. It is important to remember that every person, man and woman of traditional Africa, has a role assigned to him by the society. Because of this, each member learns the way of his by the society and the task expected of him or her. If a particular tribe had a relatively complex structure, its members might become associated with a group other than the family within the society, such as age, sects or the popular secret societies. It is also important to mention that regardless of how diverse a person may become in his association with other individuals, he remains a sole member of the family and its extended members. It is important to understand that men in the African communities did not organize in groups for the purpose of seeking or demanding change, rather, the groups existed purposely to perform certain traditional functions in ritualistic manners.
The African way of life is practiced by the Negroes between the Sahara and the Cape of Good Hope, since they have lived on the continent so long; they are referred to as the indigenous. They all have certain peculiarities of thought and behavior which seem to distinguish them from other races of the world. The African extended family system which is part of the African cultural has a great effect on most of the independent African students studying in the United Stated and other western countries. As a member of a family, each individual is obligated to many of its members. In short, the extended family is one of the several concentric circles within which the African individual lives. He or she is always a member of their clan. Each group is defined according to the African tradition which is also considered as kinship. It is important to recognize that the members of any African village environment, where many of the rural African students come from, pictures themselves as descendants from a single first ancestor who is referred to as the founder of the village. The individuals in such an environment usually find themselves or even their place, based upon their ancestry, and not as a result of any accomplishment of their own, but as a member of the group. It should not be forgotten however, that in most of the African family circle, every member owes each other a specific obligation regardless of how much western education one achieves. The circle on the other hand, becomes larger or influenced by our modern day living and of course, the western religion. The way men treat each other according to the indigenous African culture is determined not by abstract or our modern day friendship. Therefore, a ‘good man’ in most of the tribal communities is a man who fulfills all his obligations to his kinship circle. In such society, harmony with each member of the group and not our present day self accomplishment, is the path to acceptance or happiness. The leads us to the importance of value from the traditional African point of view.
The African Value System
Value which is defined by the American heritage school Dictionary as a principle, standard or quality considered worthwhile, plays an essential role in the rural African communities. Each of the complicated societies in the African world has its basic value and numerous ways, tribally distinctive, just as more than 800 African languages and cultures. We should also emphasize that traditionally Africans tend to view human natural as neither inherently good nor evil. According to the Africans, human nature is simply neutral. Although a good man in tribal Africa is the one who fulfills all his obligations to his kinship circle, human begins nonetheless are fallible and capable of error. To Africans the human nature is relatively crumbled or strong. However, he can become weaker or stronger. The most essential part of a man’s judgment in relationships to his being good or evil, generous or selfish, depends mainly on the social outcomes of his actions.
Therefore, it is well to inject that in a world in which man, nature and the supernatural are fragments of one whole, it is his resolution to live in harmony with the other two aspects. Legend, folksongs, wisdom and many other expressions are used by traditional Africans to seek solutions to their present day perplexities. Above all, we should not forget to recall the security in traditional African societies, on the other hand, lies within the framework of the group and not the individual. To maintain some of these cultural aspect and their values in an organized society, rural Africans used a form of communication system other then the western telephone, telegrams, letters etc. Their form of communication is known as the drum system. Webster dictionary defines the drum as a musical percussion instrument. Besides being a musical device, the indigenous African society considers the drum the most effective means of communication among tribes and the chiefdoms.
For instance, in most of the traditional African societies, before even the morning breakfast, there is usually the sound across the plantation and throughout the villages and the clans. Everyone who can hear or translates gets the message by the drum. Drums as a tribal communications system, has send important messages across tribes for hundreds of years.
For many years, they have: told stories of battles between tribes; summoned people toward in defense of their tribes; told death news of famous tribal leaders and the birth of famous children; relayed information about murders; and of dangers. Above all else, they have been used to communicate with the ancestors.
The Europeans and Americans who went to Africa as missionaries did not comprehend the meaning of the African drum, and as a result considered it uncivilized. Some of them being unaware of the drum communications were successful in destroying some of its aspects and it’s important to the tribal culture. Just as the African drum is programmed to transmit messages so does the institution of marriage. Marriage value to all African traditions is viewed as a strong feeling of loyalty and co-operation which blends two families and their extended. Wherefore, the institution of marriage is more than an agreement between a man and a woman to live together. To the Africans, marriage is a means of obtaining relatives and in-laws in the family circles. The details relating to marriage customs vary from ethic group to ethnic group. However, the closeness within families as a result of matrimony is the foundation of all the African cultures.
The bribe according to the African rural tradition, must share the life of the family that she’s marrying, her selection is important to every member of that particular family. She must on the other hand, remain in the family especially if there’s a child as a result of the relationship. Polygamy, one man having more than one wife generally came about when the first wife was unable to handle her routine responsibilities and requested her husband for a female assistant.
Deceased males in the family leaving behind children have also been one of the reasons for the increase in polygamy among the African rural inhabitants. However, in many parts of Africa the richer an individual, the more wives he may handle. From that point of view, polygamy has been a unique economic system to keep the family united in the traditional African societies.
African Students in the United States or in any western country are products of these complicated cultural practices. Yet, they must make adjustment and re-adjust themselves and other to achieve their goals of an American education.
The magic of hearing is another aspect of the African culture upon which the western missionaries frowned. However, the magic of healing common illness among some Africans is similar to modern science. Magic in some ways is based on the presumption that there are things that human beings can do to alter the course of nature. Therefore, a sick man in African community may use herbs and charms why a modern man takes pills and rest to keep him/her from illness. To be able to fit in both worlds, African students must make transitions and adjustment from the African world to that of the west. Coming to the United States has been one of those efforts.
Underdevelopment in Africa also means the use of poor human resources as the result of illiteracy, poor health conditions and of course, fewer factories. Due to inability to use modern methods, nearly all of Africa’s raw materials are exported to the west. Africa also remains underdeveloped because of the substantial amount of dry land. The heat and rain in some parts affect almost everything. However, it is important to add that from the days of Vasco da agama until the present time, the rest of the world’s interest in the African continent has been just how much they can get out of it.
As the world’s second largest continent, Africa occupied a huge land mass on the face of the earth. It has 11,704,00 square miles, or 30,312,000 kilometers in size. Although covering 20 percent of the world’s land mass, it seems to be one of the less crowded areas on Earth. It has also been recorded that approximately 10 to 12 percent of world’s population resides on the continent (Africa).
The continent of Africa is geographically bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea with Tunisia at its northernmost tip, while the Cape of Good Hope is located on its southern tip. The Atlantic and Indian oceans are both east and west of the continent respectively. It is important to emphasize that the northern part is separated from Europe by the Mediterranean. However, most of Africa is isolated from the Mediterranean world by the Sahara Desert and from the rest of the world by its own topography.
Africa is considered the birthplace of man “according to recent skulls discovered in the Olduvai Gorge”. There are also certain parts of Africa that are modern and up-to-date just as in the west. Still millions of square miles of its land are considered wide jungle. The estimated population of Africa in the 1990s is 600 million. This number is still a small one for such a large area which includes not only “real” Africans, but millions of immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Asia Minor.
When referring to the African people and their cultures, it should be taken into consideration that they are diverse, therefore they have diverse cultures. However, to be able to elaborate on diversity and complexity of the African’s way of life, it is necessary to briefly consider the topography of this huge continent. The part of Africa which is south of the Sahara is mostly composed of grassland that merges into the equatorial rain forest which stretches from the west, across the gulf of guinea and into the central area around the Congo basin. The former Abyssinia plateau, the area known as Ethiopia, is considered the most important mountain area in this particular region. The source of the blue Nine within twin ranges of the African continent. These ranges are divided by the Great Rift Valley and the Darkensberg Mountain located in the eastern part of the South African Republic. Mount Kilimanjaro which is 19,040 feet above sea level is the highest peak found in Africa and in the Kenyan plateau around the eastern park of the Great Rift. Some areas of the south and west of Africa are interior Veldor plateau, which is the well known Kalahari Desert. This information has a bearing on the education of African students because the economic and educational developments is most of the African countries are affected by the continent’s topography. The Africa of the 1990’s is composed of different races found in the eight regions of the continent, they are as follows: Coastal West Africa; Central Africa; Equatorial West Africa; Southern Africa, the East African Island Nations; Eastern African; and the Arab North Africa. The people of Africa range in physical appearance from the dark-skinned Negroes pf the west, to the light-skinned Caucasoid of northern Africa, and the fair skinned people and the European descendants in the mostly ruled southern part of the continent.
The People of Africa
Africa appears to be the only continent among the seven which is composed of different races and diversified cultures. For instance, a segment of Hamitic-Negroes located in Black Africa, South of the Sahara, are believed to have founded the first empire of West Africa around the year 4 AD. It has also been recorded that the people from the Middle East who settle in the Nile Valley are presumed to have begun agricultural developments some thousand years before the birth of Christ. The Egyptians are reported to have developed our 365 day calendar. Besides, they were the ones who in world history adopted the concept of life after death. Yet, the Africans of today are looked upon as the hopeless and the poorest of all the races on earth. They were once at the top, but today Africa and its people must depend on the United States and the West for survival. Because of this, African young people come to the United States to seek knowledge which was lost, and to take it back home.
As we continue to concentrate on Africa and its people, it might be necessary to continue to mention that the history of the western part of Africa, south of the Sahara, has been that of encounters from the time Islam arrived in that area. Most of the antagonisms during this period of the African history developed among the Hamitic Negro tribes, the Songhai, and the Mandingos around one thousand AD. Wherefore, there were sequences of revolutions in these kingdoms that resulted in the movement of the dark-skinned Africans to coastal areas such as Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, our today’s Ivory Coast, etc.
Most of the Europeans traveled to Africa simply because of what there was to take out while others entered the region as missionaries. The Portuguese arrived as early as the 15th century when their navigators made their way to areas such as our present day Senegal and Guinea. This time period also coincided with Columbus’ discovery of America. The Dutch reached the Southern portion of Africa in 1652, while the British Union Jack began flying in Cape Town 19 years after the United States independence. It is essential to note that after the ending of the American civil war in the 18th century there were concerns toward the granting of freedom to blacks. Therefore, in the 18th century, a society of Abolition under the leadership of Granville Sharp move to our today’s Sierra Leone in West Africa. In 1788, tleve years after the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, the Temne King Naimbana was supposed to have signed a land agreement for some freed slaves. Thirty four years later, the American colonization society sent the first freed black to our today’s Liberia, the first independent country in Africa. The first group of the settlers according to the Liberian History arrived in this part of West Africa in January of 1822.
It should be recorded that in spite of the location of the African continent and the diversity of its languages, people and cultures, there are still different groups. Although it is considered the second largest of the world’s seven bodies of land, Africa’s topography has caused most of the delays in its progress. As a result of these complications, developments in most parts of Africa have not been dramatic. Secondly, the complexities of the Africans and their cultures are extremely unique and difficult to comprehend.
Even though there is a desirer among African educators at home and the studies aboard for universal education, such quests present enormous problems due to the lack of financial resources; the shortages of qualified teachers, learning and teaching facilities and above all the great profusion of the African languages.
Although most of the African students, especially the independent ones in the united states are products of such complicated communities, nonetheless, they are determined to make those issues secondary to their search for western education. Even with the efforts of Negritude, a belief that Negro Africans, including their descendants in the New World, have common culture traditions, the people of Africa and their cultures remain diverse. Pan-Africanism emerged as a response to colonialism and was used to simulate economic development, form joint international policies and discourage Western imperialism. The philosophy of Negritude was first conceived by two outstanding poets of the third world: Aime Cesaire from Martinique in the West Indies; and the first president, poet, and one of Africa’s leading educators, Leopold Seder Senghor of Senegal in West Africa. The primary objective of Negritude was to reassert the many traditions which were disrupted through centuries of colonialism in Africa. In summary, it is well to note that Pan-Africanism appears to be the political counterpart of Negritude. Its goal to promote self-government in the third world, especially in Africa, has been a struggle that acknowledges political independence without economic independence is no independence at all.
The tribal groups and languages
Apart form the European languages introduced by immigrants and former colonial masters in Africa, languages of the African continent may classify into four principal families. The four main classifications are: the sudanic, the Afro-Asian, the Niger-Congo, and the click. The Niger-Congo family is widely spoken across the continent. In addition, English, French and the Swahili languages are spoken throughout Africa especially in the west and the eastern parts of the continent. The Arabic language is mostly spoken in North Africa.
It is essential to mention that the Arabic languages has profoundly influenced the Hausa in Nigeria as well as the Swahili language in some parts of west and east Africa, due to the Islamic majority in those areas. There are also hundreds of those languages within these four families spoken in Africa. Because of the numerous languages, African students who are studying in the United States are experiencing difficulties in making language adjustments. For instance, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa has about 100 ethnic groups; each with its own language, but English remains Nigeria’s official language. However, Nigeria’s predominant languages include: the ibos, the Yoruba, and also the kanieri. With these listed and hundreds more minor ones such as the Fulani, Nupe, the Tiv and many other languages throughout the country, English is used in official communications. Liberia, another West African state with a population of approximately 3.3 million has twenty eight different tribal groups which are speaking 16 separate major languages, the predominant of which are: the Kepelle, Via, Lumba, the kru, Bassa, the Kran, Gio and the Grebo. Liberia with all these languages uses English in all her official communications. In Sierra Leone, another west African country, the creole, mende, the femene, kero and mandingo are some of the leading languages, but English is officially used in public interactions. On the other hand, Afrikaans, Heroro, Nama and Owambo are spoken in Namibia for communication. These above languages and tribal backgrounds among the Africans make it difficult for some African students in the United States to cope with their studies in certain areas of learning.
There is much diversity among Africans south of the Sahara. For example, small bands of Bushmen who depend on hunting still exist in some African communities, while counties like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal and many others live in cultures rich in history and arts. Therefore, to describe the African people and their cultures, one must consider not only in terms of race, rather, in terms of language, the complicated groups and the diversity of cultures. In split of these numerous cultures, Africans regardless of their location, share a common cultural base which has just been understood by historians and anthropologists of the non-African communities.
A vast majority of the African students who are presently pursuing their studies in the United States are originals of many of these tribal groups. It is important to remember that every person, man and woman of traditional Africa, has a role assigned to him by the society. Because of this, each member learns the way of his by the society and the task expected of him or her. If a particular tribe had a relatively complex structure, its members might become associated with a group other than the family within the society, such as age, sects or the popular secret societies. It is also important to mention that regardless of how diverse a person may become in his association with other individuals, he remains a sole member of the family and its extended members. It is important to understand that men in the African communities did not organize in groups for the purpose of seeking or demanding change, rather, the groups existed purposely to perform certain traditional functions in ritualistic manners.
The African way of life is practiced by the Negroes between the Sahara and the Cape of Good Hope, since they have lived on the continent so long; they are referred to as the indigenous. They all have certain peculiarities of thought and behavior which seem to distinguish them from other races of the world. The African extended family system which is part of the African cultural has a great effect on most of the independent African students studying in the United Stated and other western countries. As a member of a family, each individual is obligated to many of its members. In short, the extended family is one of the several concentric circles within which the African individual lives. He or she is always a member of their clan. Each group is defined according to the African tradition which is also considered as kinship. It is important to recognize that the members of any African village environment, where many of the rural African students come from, pictures themselves as descendants from a single first ancestor who is referred to as the founder of the village. The individuals in such an environment usually find themselves or even their place, based upon their ancestry, and not as a result of any accomplishment of their own, but as a member of the group. It should not be forgotten however, that in most of the African family circle, every member owes each other a specific obligation regardless of how much western education one achieves. The circle on the other hand, becomes larger or influenced by our modern day living and of course, the western religion. The way men treat each other according to the indigenous African culture is determined not by abstract or our modern day friendship. Therefore, a ‘good man’ in most of the tribal communities is a man who fulfills all his obligations to his kinship circle. In such society, harmony with each member of the group and not our present day self accomplishment, is the path to acceptance or happiness. The leads us to the importance of value from the traditional African point of view.
The African Value System
Value which is defined by the American heritage school Dictionary as a principle, standard or quality considered worthwhile, plays an essential role in the rural African communities. Each of the complicated societies in the African world has its basic value and numerous ways, tribally distinctive, just as more than 800 African languages and cultures. We should also emphasize that traditionally Africans tend to view human natural as neither inherently good nor evil. According to the Africans, human nature is simply neutral. Although a good man in tribal Africa is the one who fulfills all his obligations to his kinship circle, human begins nonetheless are fallible and capable of error. To Africans the human nature is relatively crumbled or strong. However, he can become weaker or stronger. The most essential part of a man’s judgment in relationships to his being good or evil, generous or selfish, depends mainly on the social outcomes of his actions.
Therefore, it is well to inject that in a world in which man, nature and the supernatural are fragments of one whole, it is his resolution to live in harmony with the other two aspects. Legend, folksongs, wisdom and many other expressions are used by traditional Africans to seek solutions to their present day perplexities. Above all, we should not forget to recall the security in traditional African societies, on the other hand, lies within the framework of the group and not the individual. To maintain some of these cultural aspect and their values in an organized society, rural Africans used a form of communication system other then the western telephone, telegrams, letters etc. Their form of communication is known as the drum system. Webster dictionary defines the drum as a musical percussion instrument. Besides being a musical device, the indigenous African society considers the drum the most effective means of communication among tribes and the chiefdoms.
For instance, in most of the traditional African societies, before even the morning breakfast, there is usually the sound across the plantation and throughout the villages and the clans. Everyone who can hear or translates gets the message by the drum. Drums as a tribal communications system, has send important messages across tribes for hundreds of years.
For many years, they have: told stories of battles between tribes; summoned people toward in defense of their tribes; told death news of famous tribal leaders and the birth of famous children; relayed information about murders; and of dangers. Above all else, they have been used to communicate with the ancestors.
The Europeans and Americans who went to Africa as missionaries did not comprehend the meaning of the African drum, and as a result considered it uncivilized. Some of them being unaware of the drum communications were successful in destroying some of its aspects and it’s important to the tribal culture. Just as the African drum is programmed to transmit messages so does the institution of marriage. Marriage value to all African traditions is viewed as a strong feeling of loyalty and co-operation which blends two families and their extended. Wherefore, the institution of marriage is more than an agreement between a man and a woman to live together. To the Africans, marriage is a means of obtaining relatives and in-laws in the family circles. The details relating to marriage customs vary from ethic group to ethnic group. However, the closeness within families as a result of matrimony is the foundation of all the African cultures.
The bribe according to the African rural tradition, must share the life of the family that she’s marrying, her selection is important to every member of that particular family. She must on the other hand, remain in the family especially if there’s a child as a result of the relationship. Polygamy, one man having more than one wife generally came about when the first wife was unable to handle her routine responsibilities and requested her husband for a female assistant.
Deceased males in the family leaving behind children have also been one of the reasons for the increase in polygamy among the African rural inhabitants. However, in many parts of Africa the richer an individual, the more wives he may handle. From that point of view, polygamy has been a unique economic system to keep the family united in the traditional African societies.
African Students in the United States or in any western country are products of these complicated cultural practices. Yet, they must make adjustment and re-adjust themselves and other to achieve their goals of an American education.
The magic of hearing is another aspect of the African culture upon which the western missionaries frowned. However, the magic of healing common illness among some Africans is similar to modern science. Magic in some ways is based on the presumption that there are things that human beings can do to alter the course of nature. Therefore, a sick man in African community may use herbs and charms why a modern man takes pills and rest to keep him/her from illness. To be able to fit in both worlds, African students must make transitions and adjustment from the African world to that of the west. Coming to the United States has been one of those efforts.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Welcome: Baby Sam
His mother and father's dream was to one day have him in their arm.
Sam Kamara Zinnah fled his native Liberia in 1996 in search of peace and security. In the process, he met beautiful, quiet, and determine Victoria Korpo Kekula on the over crowded refugee camp of Buduburam in the Gomoa District of Ghana’s central Region. Later in 2001, Sam resettled to the United States and began working on getting his “dream wife-to-be” over to the United States. In may of 2004, Sam returned to Ghana and wedded Victoria “Korpo” Kekula on May 21, 2004. Months later, Victoria “along with her parents” moved to Australia where she spent two years schooling. On October 6, 2006, Victoria was received by her husband at the J.F.K international airport in New York.
Victoria and her husband’s dream were to one day hold their junior boy in their arm and play with him. In may of 2007, during one of the couples regular visits at the bayhealth medical center in Dover, Delaware, an ultra sign was conducted on Korpo, the technology revealed a healthy baby boy relaxing in his luxury womb of his mother. The day was one of the happiest moments in the couples marriage. Korpo’s entire nine months was very peaceful and precious. We both could not wait to see our first boy. On july 7, 2007 (7/7/07), a family baby shower was scheduled. The shower turned into a celebrity shower. Gifts were pulling from all angles of the United States, Australia, Canada and even Liberia. One week after the celebrity shower, Baby Sam Kamara Zinnah Jr finally arrived on July 14, 2007 at 9:35 pm at the bayhealth medical center in Dover, Delaware. At birth, he weight 7lbs 1 0z.
Sam Kamara Zinnah fled his native Liberia in 1996 in search of peace and security. In the process, he met beautiful, quiet, and determine Victoria Korpo Kekula on the over crowded refugee camp of Buduburam in the Gomoa District of Ghana’s central Region. Later in 2001, Sam resettled to the United States and began working on getting his “dream wife-to-be” over to the United States. In may of 2004, Sam returned to Ghana and wedded Victoria “Korpo” Kekula on May 21, 2004. Months later, Victoria “along with her parents” moved to Australia where she spent two years schooling. On October 6, 2006, Victoria was received by her husband at the J.F.K international airport in New York.
Victoria and her husband’s dream were to one day hold their junior boy in their arm and play with him. In may of 2007, during one of the couples regular visits at the bayhealth medical center in Dover, Delaware, an ultra sign was conducted on Korpo, the technology revealed a healthy baby boy relaxing in his luxury womb of his mother. The day was one of the happiest moments in the couples marriage. Korpo’s entire nine months was very peaceful and precious. We both could not wait to see our first boy. On july 7, 2007 (7/7/07), a family baby shower was scheduled. The shower turned into a celebrity shower. Gifts were pulling from all angles of the United States, Australia, Canada and even Liberia. One week after the celebrity shower, Baby Sam Kamara Zinnah Jr finally arrived on July 14, 2007 at 9:35 pm at the bayhealth medical center in Dover, Delaware. At birth, he weight 7lbs 1 0z.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Is Ghadafi mad? part II
By: Sam K Zinnah
Consider the commonly heard expression in the sub-region, “Charles Taylor and his creation must face justice”. Ghadafi and his Libyan mafias may not feel that regional “of which the so-called revolutionary should be part of” issues should be raised to address regional problems. Regional issues of justice may not be the direct factor of concern to Ghadafi and his government in Libya but they are of decisive importance to the sub-region especially in the struggle to define a solution to regional problems. Ghadafi’s continuous persistent to create his so-called “United States of Africa” is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems on the Continent. Ghadafi’s kind of emotion-driven aberrations are a major factor of a mass political behavior motivated by a pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. How does a true revolutionary feel about mass killing of peace loving Liberians, Sierraleons, Ivorians, and Guineans to the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that was created by him (Ghadafi)? The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as distinct from reasoning, is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, “as a case of what happened in Sierra Leone, Guinea and cote de’ Voire” expressed a large overdose of “feeling” but virtually no exercise of reasoning. Liberia, Sierra Leone, cote de’ voire guinea and the entire world will not forgive Ghadafi for training and unleashing Charles Taylor on the sub-region. Ghadafi’s creation of Charles Taylor, his involvement in the 1988 bombing of the Lockerbie Pan Am Boeing 747 flight 103 airliner tells the world something very important about him”.
During the Abuja conference that arranged the 1997 presidential elections in Liberia, I witnessed the incarnation of Ghadafi’s cash into political power. With the help of his reginal mafias, Ghadafi programed Charles Taylor and his blood money. Taylor became the mole of deed financier whose dirty dope dollars became the most weighted voice or decision of the entire process in Abuja, Nigeria. Howls of protests came from oppositions, i.e. the late Harris Fumba Moniba of LINU. But after months of talks over the concern of electing Charles Taylor, Obasanjo, Ghadafi, Blaist Campoare still used their Regional mafias with the backing of Tom Ikimi “Nigeria’s foreign minister at the time” and Mohammed Ibn Chambas “Ghana deputy foreign minister at the time” to execute the millions of dollars contract awarded them by Charles Taylor and his creators. Both men (Ikimi and Chambas) served as the financial-mega speculators “for Nigeria’s obasanjo, Libya’s Ghadafi, Bokena Faso’s Campoare, and Ghana’s J.A. Kufuor ” in bringing Charles Taylor to power in Liberia. Kufuor’s share of the contract was to print the ballot papers for the elections. Initially, Kufuor played a very major road in the formation of the then NPFL. He shared the name of his political party with Charles Taylor. Kufour heads the National Patriotic party (NPP) in Ghana and Charles Taylor headed the National Patriotic Party in Liberia.
In 1997, I attended college in Accra, Ghana. Two of my teachers took part in the printing of ballot papers at "Bob printing press in Achimota", (suburban Accra). On the last day of the work, I covertly visited the printing press. During the visit, it was discovered that I was a Liberian. A gentleman walked to me and asked: What are you doing here? I answered by telling him that I was escorting a friend. He said to me in a soft and low voice; “you will disappear if this is heard anywhere around in Ghana especially buduburam camp. The ballot papers were printed and covertly transported to Liberia. The masses going in the streets of Monrovia to cheer Charles Taylor’s NPP to victory just coincided with Obasanjo, Ghadafi, Campoare and Kufuor’s plans.
The reality is that Charles Taylor can co-exist just fine with obasanjo,Ghadafi,Campoare and all whom he shares an intimacy through mutual acquaintances. Ghadafi (the so-called revolitionary) witnessed the mayhem inflicted upon Liberians, Sierra Leoneans, Guineans and ivorians by his (Ghadafi's) creation "Charles Taylor" and his bunch of child soldiers. No one “not even the heavenly
Intervention of the angels from heaven” could stop the untold sufferings “caused by Charles Taylor” that caused many to perish of hunger, especially those of tender (ages) years.
Mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried their famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many felt victim to stray bullets, cold and others to intense thirst while president Ghadafi relaxed in Tripoli and watch satellite channels. Nigerian soldiers were also murdered in huge numbers by Charles Taylor and his child soldiers. Let me not enlarge too
deep on the cruelty and avarice which (Ghadafi’s creation) Charles Taylor and his boys frequently inflicted on Liberia and the neighboring countries before I run into coma. I find it very difficult to dismiss memories of my experiences during Charles Taylor’s senseless war.
After all the above narratives, how then can Ghadafi convince me that he is a revolutionary? He must be really mad to think he can trick the entire world all of the time.
Consider the commonly heard expression in the sub-region, “Charles Taylor and his creation must face justice”. Ghadafi and his Libyan mafias may not feel that regional “of which the so-called revolutionary should be part of” issues should be raised to address regional problems. Regional issues of justice may not be the direct factor of concern to Ghadafi and his government in Libya but they are of decisive importance to the sub-region especially in the struggle to define a solution to regional problems. Ghadafi’s continuous persistent to create his so-called “United States of Africa” is not a matter of facts, but simply of a “feeling” which may not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant political problems on the Continent. Ghadafi’s kind of emotion-driven aberrations are a major factor of a mass political behavior motivated by a pathological use of “I feel” as a substitute for rational behavior. How does a true revolutionary feel about mass killing of peace loving Liberians, Sierraleons, Ivorians, and Guineans to the wicked hands of the very Charles Taylor that was created by him (Ghadafi)? The notion of a democracy of “feeling” as distinct from reasoning, is a potentially fatal contradiction in terms, “as a case of what happened in Sierra Leone, Guinea and cote de’ Voire” expressed a large overdose of “feeling” but virtually no exercise of reasoning. Liberia, Sierra Leone, cote de’ voire guinea and the entire world will not forgive Ghadafi for training and unleashing Charles Taylor on the sub-region. Ghadafi’s creation of Charles Taylor, his involvement in the 1988 bombing of the Lockerbie Pan Am Boeing 747 flight 103 airliner tells the world something very important about him”.
During the Abuja conference that arranged the 1997 presidential elections in Liberia, I witnessed the incarnation of Ghadafi’s cash into political power. With the help of his reginal mafias, Ghadafi programed Charles Taylor and his blood money. Taylor became the mole of deed financier whose dirty dope dollars became the most weighted voice or decision of the entire process in Abuja, Nigeria. Howls of protests came from oppositions, i.e. the late Harris Fumba Moniba of LINU. But after months of talks over the concern of electing Charles Taylor, Obasanjo, Ghadafi, Blaist Campoare still used their Regional mafias with the backing of Tom Ikimi “Nigeria’s foreign minister at the time” and Mohammed Ibn Chambas “Ghana deputy foreign minister at the time” to execute the millions of dollars contract awarded them by Charles Taylor and his creators. Both men (Ikimi and Chambas) served as the financial-mega speculators “for Nigeria’s obasanjo, Libya’s Ghadafi, Bokena Faso’s Campoare, and Ghana’s J.A. Kufuor ” in bringing Charles Taylor to power in Liberia. Kufuor’s share of the contract was to print the ballot papers for the elections. Initially, Kufuor played a very major road in the formation of the then NPFL. He shared the name of his political party with Charles Taylor. Kufour heads the National Patriotic party (NPP) in Ghana and Charles Taylor headed the National Patriotic Party in Liberia.
In 1997, I attended college in Accra, Ghana. Two of my teachers took part in the printing of ballot papers at "Bob printing press in Achimota", (suburban Accra). On the last day of the work, I covertly visited the printing press. During the visit, it was discovered that I was a Liberian. A gentleman walked to me and asked: What are you doing here? I answered by telling him that I was escorting a friend. He said to me in a soft and low voice; “you will disappear if this is heard anywhere around in Ghana especially buduburam camp. The ballot papers were printed and covertly transported to Liberia. The masses going in the streets of Monrovia to cheer Charles Taylor’s NPP to victory just coincided with Obasanjo, Ghadafi, Campoare and Kufuor’s plans.
The reality is that Charles Taylor can co-exist just fine with obasanjo,Ghadafi,Campoare and all whom he shares an intimacy through mutual acquaintances. Ghadafi (the so-called revolitionary) witnessed the mayhem inflicted upon Liberians, Sierra Leoneans, Guineans and ivorians by his (Ghadafi's) creation "Charles Taylor" and his bunch of child soldiers. No one “not even the heavenly
Intervention of the angels from heaven” could stop the untold sufferings “caused by Charles Taylor” that caused many to perish of hunger, especially those of tender (ages) years.
Mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried their famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many felt victim to stray bullets, cold and others to intense thirst while president Ghadafi relaxed in Tripoli and watch satellite channels. Nigerian soldiers were also murdered in huge numbers by Charles Taylor and his child soldiers. Let me not enlarge too
deep on the cruelty and avarice which (Ghadafi’s creation) Charles Taylor and his boys frequently inflicted on Liberia and the neighboring countries before I run into coma. I find it very difficult to dismiss memories of my experiences during Charles Taylor’s senseless war.
After all the above narratives, how then can Ghadafi convince me that he is a revolutionary? He must be really mad to think he can trick the entire world all of the time.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Is Ghadafi mad? Part I
By: Sam K Zinnah
In June of 1997, 98 Ghanaians were deported from Libya. Prior to their deportation, they were arrested at their various workplaces and detained for periods between two and three months before their deportation. Over 50 more Ghanaians were left languishing in Libyan cells awaiting deportation.
In November 2000, hundreds of African immigrants, mainly Nigerians and Ghanaians, living in Libya were arbitrarily rounded up beaten and some killed by Libya security forces. Their possessions were taken away from them and later expelled from the country. Embarrassed over the treatment, the Ghanaian president “at the time” J. J. Rawlings personally traveled to Libya to take delivery of his citizens.
In 2004, 251 ghanaians were again deported from Libya. Ghadafi was among the Africans that were forcibly pushed out of their land by the Arabs and some Europeans. Decades now, those false (white) Africans have dehumanized other Africans who suppose to be part of them. So if Ghadafi is really serious to create the united states of Africa, he must be ready to expel the Arabs and whites Europeans that forcibly settled in Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and other white occupied lands in Africa.
Over the years, Ghadafi has been one of the covert hands behind every conflict in the region. He overtly trained Charles Taylor to take on parts of West Africa whilst he relaxed in his multi-million dollars palace in Tripoli.
In 1997, the French Weekly Newspaper published some of ghadafi’s colleagues assets. For example: General Sani Abaca of Nigeria, $20 billion, late Ivorian President Flex Houphet. Boigny, $ 6 billion, General Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria, $ 5 billion, the late President Mobutu of Zaire, $ 4 billion, President Mousa Traore of Mali, $ 2 billion, Henri Bedie of Ivory Coast, $300 million, President Denis N'guesso of Congo, $200 million, President Omar Bongo of Gabon, $ $80 million, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, $70 million, President Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, $30 million, President Hissene Habre of Chad, $3 million, indicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor, The late President Gabassinga Eyadema of Togo, former Ghanaian president Jerry J. Rawlings, Bokena Faso’s Blaist Camporare, and the late President Samuel Doe of Liberia; a host of African government ministers would make an updated list. Portion of these stolen monies are covertly kept in Libya. Is Mr. Revolutionary “Ghadafi” prepared to return the portion of these stolen monies to the appropriate countries? Is he ready to confess his evil deeds in the region?
For decade now, Qaddafi’s campaign to install tele-guided regimes in various African states had encountered series of frustrations but he still believed that the United States of Africa is a prerequisite to the unity of Africa. In my view, there is “the continent of Africa” but there will never be “a United States of Africa”. The above names and assets serves as my convincing point for my view. Compare the assets of these dictators to the conditions of the masses in the region or the living condition of their citizens.
The unity of Africa will affect the economy of the west so
The continent of Africa will always be the diamond mine of the west. Ghadafi must really be mad “to go causing noise all around the continent” for something that he has never encouraged in the region.
In June of 1997, 98 Ghanaians were deported from Libya. Prior to their deportation, they were arrested at their various workplaces and detained for periods between two and three months before their deportation. Over 50 more Ghanaians were left languishing in Libyan cells awaiting deportation.
In November 2000, hundreds of African immigrants, mainly Nigerians and Ghanaians, living in Libya were arbitrarily rounded up beaten and some killed by Libya security forces. Their possessions were taken away from them and later expelled from the country. Embarrassed over the treatment, the Ghanaian president “at the time” J. J. Rawlings personally traveled to Libya to take delivery of his citizens.
In 2004, 251 ghanaians were again deported from Libya. Ghadafi was among the Africans that were forcibly pushed out of their land by the Arabs and some Europeans. Decades now, those false (white) Africans have dehumanized other Africans who suppose to be part of them. So if Ghadafi is really serious to create the united states of Africa, he must be ready to expel the Arabs and whites Europeans that forcibly settled in Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and other white occupied lands in Africa.
Over the years, Ghadafi has been one of the covert hands behind every conflict in the region. He overtly trained Charles Taylor to take on parts of West Africa whilst he relaxed in his multi-million dollars palace in Tripoli.
In 1997, the French Weekly Newspaper published some of ghadafi’s colleagues assets. For example: General Sani Abaca of Nigeria, $20 billion, late Ivorian President Flex Houphet. Boigny, $ 6 billion, General Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria, $ 5 billion, the late President Mobutu of Zaire, $ 4 billion, President Mousa Traore of Mali, $ 2 billion, Henri Bedie of Ivory Coast, $300 million, President Denis N'guesso of Congo, $200 million, President Omar Bongo of Gabon, $ $80 million, President Paul Biya of Cameroon, $70 million, President Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, $30 million, President Hissene Habre of Chad, $3 million, indicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor, The late President Gabassinga Eyadema of Togo, former Ghanaian president Jerry J. Rawlings, Bokena Faso’s Blaist Camporare, and the late President Samuel Doe of Liberia; a host of African government ministers would make an updated list. Portion of these stolen monies are covertly kept in Libya. Is Mr. Revolutionary “Ghadafi” prepared to return the portion of these stolen monies to the appropriate countries? Is he ready to confess his evil deeds in the region?
For decade now, Qaddafi’s campaign to install tele-guided regimes in various African states had encountered series of frustrations but he still believed that the United States of Africa is a prerequisite to the unity of Africa. In my view, there is “the continent of Africa” but there will never be “a United States of Africa”. The above names and assets serves as my convincing point for my view. Compare the assets of these dictators to the conditions of the masses in the region or the living condition of their citizens.
The unity of Africa will affect the economy of the west so
The continent of Africa will always be the diamond mine of the west. Ghadafi must really be mad “to go causing noise all around the continent” for something that he has never encouraged in the region.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Minister Assaults Auditor General (Hearing ends in anarchy )
source: New Democrat
Joe K. Roberts
Budget hearing before the Legislature Tuesday broke into uproar and suspended when the Minister of State for Economic and Financial Affairs and Legal Advisor to the President, Mr. Morris Saytumah, angrily pushed Auditor General in an attempt to provoke.
“He has constantly being trying to provoke me since we started this proceeding today”, Mr. Morlu told this paper even whilst the uproar continued in the chambers of The House where Minister Saytumah, according to seating arrangement, sat behind the Auditor General, thus having easy access to him.
The audience, including Legislators, broke into confusion as the scene turned intensely unruly. UNMIL Police and the Liberian National police were called in to get things under control.
It appeared that Mr. Saytumah, a close aide to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and a long-time ally, became irritated over Mr. Morlu’s statements on the budget, especially after Mr. Morlu again emphasized that Mr. Saytumah office presented two budgets for the same set of activities now before the Legislature, sparking him to turn violent.
He later denied to reporters that he neither provoked nor pushed Mr. Morlu.
Herds of people followed Mr. Morlu as he was whisked from the Unity Conference Center by police and UNMIL security forces, while others were hauling and pulling at his coat, chanting “. Our hero! Our hero!
The hearing, postponed until next Thursday as a result of the violence, was one of the most attended in recent times, with the halls filled with people in an indication of interest in the budget.
As he, too, was being whisked, mobs gathered around Minister Saytumah, with some booing him, as Montserrado County Representative Dusty Wolokolie walked him to a waiting car.
The Auditor General had earlier entered the halls of Legislature, now sitting at the Unity Conference Center in Virginia, where he received a thunderous star-like applause, as he continued his controversial dissection of the current draft Budget, arguing it contains many flaws, including the absence of an opening balance.
Amidst continued applause, Mr. Morlu repeated his excruciating analysis of the fiscal 2007.2008 draft budget, contending that it lacks complete disclosure of revenues.
In some parts of his analysis, Mr. Morlu said he discovered that Minister Saytumah had submitted two budgets for the same set of activities, totaling over US600, 000. Deputy Minister of Finance for Administration, Mrs. Afreda Stewart Tamba, told this paper this week that a review of the double submission was underway.
The submission includes the following: A review of the fiscal 2007/08 Draft National Budget by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) revealed that the Ministry of State is seeking separate allocations for the same function.
Under what is purported to be separate programs with the same title: Financial Management but with different codes but same descriptions, word for word, the Ministry requested an allotment of US300,557 and US318,008 for the implementation of the same program during the fiscal year 2007/08.
The GAC, which is recommending a revision of the Draft National Budget, has questioned whether there is a duplication of functions within the Ministry of State.
In their report, the GAC also stated that the way institutions are presented in the Draft National Budget is arguably confusing. The Ministry of State:Financial Management Code: 5-1-02-02Program DescriptionsThe Financial Management Department provides financial services to the offices of the president, the Ministry of State and serves as a liaison between the Executive mansion on one hand and the Ministry of fiancé, the Bureau of the Budget, and the Central bank on the other.
Measurable Programs objectivesThe department wishes to automate the financial records, print two hundred and fifty booklets of the various financial forms and properly execute the millions of dollars budgeted for the ten (10) programs of the Ministry of State.
List of important activities.Formulation and execution of the ministry budgetPreparation of payrolls and payment of salariesPreparation of financial documents and reportsClassifying, analyzing & recording of financial transactionsCustodians of financial documents and informationLinked to Major Strategy Plans (IPRSP) etc.2. Finance, Econ, & Legal Affairs Code: 5-1-02-09Program DescriptionThe Financial Management Department provides financial services to the offices of the president, the Ministry of State and serves as a liaison between the Executive mansion on one hand and the Ministry of fiancé, the Bureau of the Budget, and the Central bank on the other.
Measurable Programs objectivesThe department wishes to automate the financial records, print two hundred and fifty booklets of the various financial forms and properly execute the millions of dollars budgeted for the ten (10) programs of the Ministry of State.List of important activities.Formulation and execution of the ministry budget Preparation of payrolls and payment of salariesPreparation of financial documents and reports Classifying, analyzing & recording of financial transactionsCustodians of financial documents and informationLinked to Major Strategy Plans (IPRSP) etc.
“He has constantly being trying to provoke me since we started this proceeding today”, Mr. Morlu told this paper even whilst the uproar continued in the chambers of The House where Minister Saytumah, according to seating arrangement, sat behind the Auditor General, thus having easy access to him.
The audience, including Legislators, broke into confusion as the scene turned intensely unruly. UNMIL Police and the Liberian National police were called in to get things under control.
It appeared that Mr. Saytumah, a close aide to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and a long-time ally, became irritated over Mr. Morlu’s statements on the budget, especially after Mr. Morlu again emphasized that Mr. Saytumah office presented two budgets for the same set of activities now before the Legislature, sparking him to turn violent.
He later denied to reporters that he neither provoked nor pushed Mr. Morlu.
Herds of people followed Mr. Morlu as he was whisked from the Unity Conference Center by police and UNMIL security forces, while others were hauling and pulling at his coat, chanting “. Our hero! Our hero!
The hearing, postponed until next Thursday as a result of the violence, was one of the most attended in recent times, with the halls filled with people in an indication of interest in the budget.
As he, too, was being whisked, mobs gathered around Minister Saytumah, with some booing him, as Montserrado County Representative Dusty Wolokolie walked him to a waiting car.
The Auditor General had earlier entered the halls of Legislature, now sitting at the Unity Conference Center in Virginia, where he received a thunderous star-like applause, as he continued his controversial dissection of the current draft Budget, arguing it contains many flaws, including the absence of an opening balance.
Amidst continued applause, Mr. Morlu repeated his excruciating analysis of the fiscal 2007.2008 draft budget, contending that it lacks complete disclosure of revenues.
In some parts of his analysis, Mr. Morlu said he discovered that Minister Saytumah had submitted two budgets for the same set of activities, totaling over US600, 000. Deputy Minister of Finance for Administration, Mrs. Afreda Stewart Tamba, told this paper this week that a review of the double submission was underway.
The submission includes the following: A review of the fiscal 2007/08 Draft National Budget by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) revealed that the Ministry of State is seeking separate allocations for the same function.
Under what is purported to be separate programs with the same title: Financial Management but with different codes but same descriptions, word for word, the Ministry requested an allotment of US300,557 and US318,008 for the implementation of the same program during the fiscal year 2007/08.
The GAC, which is recommending a revision of the Draft National Budget, has questioned whether there is a duplication of functions within the Ministry of State.
In their report, the GAC also stated that the way institutions are presented in the Draft National Budget is arguably confusing. The Ministry of State:Financial Management Code: 5-1-02-02Program DescriptionsThe Financial Management Department provides financial services to the offices of the president, the Ministry of State and serves as a liaison between the Executive mansion on one hand and the Ministry of fiancé, the Bureau of the Budget, and the Central bank on the other.
Measurable Programs objectivesThe department wishes to automate the financial records, print two hundred and fifty booklets of the various financial forms and properly execute the millions of dollars budgeted for the ten (10) programs of the Ministry of State.
List of important activities.Formulation and execution of the ministry budgetPreparation of payrolls and payment of salariesPreparation of financial documents and reportsClassifying, analyzing & recording of financial transactionsCustodians of financial documents and informationLinked to Major Strategy Plans (IPRSP) etc.2. Finance, Econ, & Legal Affairs Code: 5-1-02-09Program DescriptionThe Financial Management Department provides financial services to the offices of the president, the Ministry of State and serves as a liaison between the Executive mansion on one hand and the Ministry of fiancé, the Bureau of the Budget, and the Central bank on the other.
Measurable Programs objectivesThe department wishes to automate the financial records, print two hundred and fifty booklets of the various financial forms and properly execute the millions of dollars budgeted for the ten (10) programs of the Ministry of State.List of important activities.Formulation and execution of the ministry budget Preparation of payrolls and payment of salariesPreparation of financial documents and reports Classifying, analyzing & recording of financial transactionsCustodians of financial documents and informationLinked to Major Strategy Plans (IPRSP) etc.
Could Liberia become a success story?
By T. Q. Harris, Jr
In Psalm 90:12 Moses prayed: “[Lord] teach us to number our day that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Today, we say this prayer for you – fellow compatriots - as days have turned to weeks, weeks to months, months to years; and the years have become decades. Now we must use the lessons of time to create a better world for future generations. Never again must we put an individual above the state. Let us place our trust in God; He will restore all that the locusts have eaten.
When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said in her speech to the joint session of the U.S. Congress that, “Liberia could become America’s success story in Africa,” she no doubt was looking in the right direction, but for the wrong reasons.
Given the strong historical ties between the two nations, a successful Liberia will undoubtedly reflect positively on America. But Liberians themselves must be in the vanguard of any transformation and believe it is for their own benefit. There needs to be a burning desire to excel and to prosper, as well as the drive to become the best. Liberians must believe they deserve better and are willing to take the necessary steps to improve. And it is the leader who must layout a vision – a dream that inspires and motivate so when the story is written it shall tell of how the people rose to the occasion, and through their love, hard work, their sacrifices, and dedication created a thing of beauty.
For far too long this nation has looked outside for solution to its problems while underutilizing and ignoring its own resources; as a result, generations have taken comfort in mediocrity and complacency. Now there is the general belief only strangers can inspire success. One need look no further than the headlines in the daily papers: Arab Businessman Plans To Invest In Liberia; American Billionaire Set To Invest In The Reconstruction; World Bank President Visit Will Jumpstart The Economy; Mega Global Corporation To Create Thousands Of Jobs; Chinese Investors Headed For Liberia; French Investors Arrive; George Soros Promotes Liberia; Donors Meet To Fund Reconstruction; Debt Relief Is The Solution; and so on and so on.
These screaming front-page headlines further illustrate Liberians lack of confidence in their own abilities. There’s hardly a mention of the role Liberians themselves must play in rebuilding this nation. Even the President has spent more time rousing peoples in distant lands rather then rallying Liberians across town. We must disabuse ourselves of this 19th century African mentality, which in large part is responsible for the general lack of patriotism.
Anyone who for the past 30 years has followed the politics and means well for this nation would agree legislative and presidential elections should not have taken place in 2005. The dynamics did not favor a positive outcome. Allowing the warlords to dominate the transition doomed the process. Combatants were never demobilized and properly accounted for, giving the impression the negotiators were dealing with the wrong people. Failing to account for and disarm the real combatants has made it extremely difficult restoring law and order in the immediate post-war era. Furthermore, thousands did not take part in those elections due to internal and external displacement. And, the elections were further compromised due to the absence of a mechanism to exclude individuals known to have committed outrageous human rights abuses. As a result, the current make-up of elected officials presents an obstacle to reconstruction; as some within the international community are hard pressed to invest in a government headed by the very people responsible for the destruction.
Though the evidence was abundantly clear, selfishness got the better of us. Hundreds declared their candidacy and the country was rushed into elections ill equipped to deal with post-war challenges. As the consequences of this misstep have become ever present, there are increasing signs of disillusionment. The President herself echoed this sentiment recently when she said, “Things are much different on the inside than they looked from outside.”
The President’s potent enemies
Barring a major reordering of priorities, a change in thinking, and the overhaul of key institutions, it is highly unlikely this nation will experience any significant progress within the next five years. This rather gloomy prediction is based on the fact Liberian leaders in general have been unwilling to make the hard decisions that will create the proper foundation for viable nation building. Many have spoken eloquently about Liberia’s potential and possibilities while at the same time nurturing a culture of injustice, impunity, immorality, and dependency. Thus far, President Sirleaf seems headed in the same direction.
It is obvious Madam Sirleaf for whatever reason is finding it difficult to provide the type of leadership this country needs at the moment. Even though she’s aware reconstruction depends largely on support from the international community, particularly Liberia’s traditional allies, the President has been less than cooperative in a number of areas. She has yet to comply with the UN request to freeze assets of persons known to have fueled conflicts in the region. Calls for judicial reform seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Also, the failure to aggressively attack corruption and place high priority on healing and reconciliation has many wondering as to whether the President is aware of the current danger that exists. And it appears the international community is unhappy with some appointees. Their concerns have to do with past behavior of these individuals. Liberians generally tend to ignore such things because they have an uncanny ability to forgive even to a flaw. Forgiveness is important; however, doing the same thing over again is the definition of insanity.
Additionally, the President has made a number of critical errors that have negatively impacted the recovery; among these are: 1) her reluctance in the early stages to request Charles Taylor’s handover to the International Court; 2) her comment that “Charles Taylor is not our problem.” This shows ungratefulness for the sacrifices others have made on behalf of the Liberian people. 3) impugning the integrity of the Special Court by demanding a fair trial for Charles Taylor; 4) floating the idea of the government paying Charles Taylor’s legal fees; 5) refusing to seek prosecution of persons accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity; 6) failing to act against the posting of a billboard in Monrovia declaring Charles Taylor innocent while his victims are ignored. This is tantamount to celebrating Adolph Hitler in post-Nazi Germany; and 7) ignoring the Supreme Court ruling by appearing before renegade legislators in the City of Virginia.
As the President continues to demonstrate weakness and a lack of resolve, her opponents are gaining momentum. Left unchecked, they will win the day by inciting mass protests, ultimately
rendering the country again ungovernable. This no doubt will adversely affect recovery and prolong the misery. We hope madam Sirleaf understands that in the absence of bold audacious leadership this nation will again relapse into chaos, especially in light of widespread poverty.
It is an open secret President Sirleaf has many potent enemies – people who claim to know her personally; the vast majority are individuals with whom she collaborated during the Doe era. They believe Madam Sirleaf is unethical and lacks the integrity to hold the office of president, because supposedly she betrayed them. Initially they accepted her leadership in bringing down the Doe government. But as her character came into question and the group became uncomfortable, she began to sabotage the mission. Her actions, they claim, prolonged the fighting.
In questioning the President’s character and leadership ability, her opponents often cite decisions she has made in the recent past. One such decision was her support for a UN takeover of Liberia at the height of the crisis. They consider this as yet another illustration of Madam Sirleaf’s selfish nature. Because when it appeared she would not replace President Doe, Madam Sirleaf then opted to give away the country. They also make references to her vigorous campaign in Ghana to secure the chairmanship of the transitional government knowing full well the position would last only two years and bar her from seeking the presidency.
The Locust Generation
Although the argument is compelling, Madam Sirleaf’s opponents have yet to proffer a viable alternative. Rather, they have merely exposed the types of rivalries that brought this nation to its knees. This is the story of the past 30 plus years: small groups of individuals constantly fighting amongst themselves only to deny the other, and in the process inflict massive injuries to the population. Should the President’s opponents succeed in forcing her out of office, she and her followers will invariably turn on them and the cycle will continue. Innocent people will die and this nation will further disintegrate.
One generation has been denied the chance of a decent future. Another has been deprived the opportunity of serving and giving back to the country. And there is yet another - deserving of derision – whose legacy shall be that of destroyers. This was the generation of promise - successor to the Tubman/Tolbert generation. It was by far the most educated, well traveled and sophisticated. No one could have imagined they would turn out to be so violent and destructive. Since coming of age, they have wrecked their entire inheritance and destroyed everything of value. Charles Ghankay Taylor exemplifies the character of this generation: No respect or trust for one another, incapable of compromise and will stop at nothing to gain personal wealth and recognition. Their true color is often displayed in leadership contests. On these occasions they become vicious and unyielding, showing absolutely no concern for the consequences of their actions. Despite numerous proclamations and expressions of disgust and anger, they could not forge a unified opposition against the vilest regime this nation has ever known. The selfish nature of these individuals renders them incapable of supporting any effort to unite Liberians unless they are in the lead. And when given the opportunity to lead, they often create strife and division. “If I cannot have it no one else will”; this is their mantra. They are best described as the Locust generation.
To halt the cycle of violence, supporters and non-supporters of President Sirleaf must in the interest of this nation begin collaborating for the purpose of strengthening what is undeniably a weak regime. Failing to do so will leave open the door for anti-progressive forces to again divide
the country, pitting brothers and brothers. And as things fall apart they will again flee and watch from a distance. Peace-loving Liberians of all stripes must make it clear to the President that we are ready to support her administration if she is willing to implement those measures that are critical to the revival of this nation. However, should she fail to act decisively, we will have no other alternative than to embrace someone else in order to avert yet another catastrophe.
We must not allow this country to revert back to violence on account of weak ineffective leadership. The people are becoming anxious; there is no time for delay. President Sirleaf must take the necessary steps to strengthen this regime – regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, or face the possibility of being dislodged by her opponents.
A moment of unparallel opportunities
By becoming Africa’s first female head of state Madam Sirleaf has earned a permanent place in world history. However, we believe she could further enlarge her stature by bringing this nation solidly into the 21st century. The efforts to accomplish this feat shall be no less daunting then that which she exerted on her journey to the Presidency. But the rewards are incalculable. By taking the bold steps necessary, Madam Sirleaf could excel where her predecessors have faltered by changing the destiny of a people. Guiding Africa’s first republic into its full potential is a natural fit for the continent’s first female head of state. After all, what value is this title if the nation she heads is backward and insignificant? Perhaps this is the moment generations have longed for. Is it possible Madam Sirleaf could finally set Liberia on the path to becoming a true success story? Only time will tell.
The following must form part of any serious plan to transform this nation:
1) Begin by drafting a truly Liberian Constitution. As lawyers and scholars supervise, ordinary citizens must drive the process. The people must be given the opportunity to put their heart and soul into this esteemed document, knowing full well that someday they or their children might have to defend it at the peril of their life. A new Constitution must be ratified within the next 12 months.
2) Revise the requirements for citizenship. It is abominable to make race a requirement to become a citizen of this country. Anyone without a criminal background, who meets the minimum residency requirement and willing to abide by the laws of this country, should be considered eligible. Also, a natural born citizen must not under any circumstance lose his or her citizenship.
3) Overhaul the entire justice system. Do away with the two-tier legal system. Women must have equal rights in marriage - traditional or otherwise, and receive equal protection under the law. There must be a system-wide improvement of prisons. These facilities must be modernized and manned by professionals who at all times shall be accountable. Rather than a dungeon, a prison must be a place for reflection and rehabilitation. And the rights of children must be protected under the law; even parents and teachers must be held accountable for any injury inflicted upon a child.
4) Create a special independent Land or Real Estate Court that will handle all disputes relating to real property and issues of this nature. In the aftermath of the brutal war and prolonged displacement of the population, there is an urgent need to establish this court.
5) Request assistance from the United Nations to investigate human rights abuses, torture, as well as other crimes perpetrated against civilians during the war. This long delayed process must be fast tracked by expanding the mandate of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to include Liberia. Limit prosecutions to persons bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And for the others, there must be a formal process (a truth commission or a religious/paralegal forum) where the accused must acknowledge their offenses and apologize to the victims. In certain cases, the guilty shall be required to pay reparation and be placed on an extended probation.
6) Freeze effectively immediately the assets of individuals whose names appear on the United Nations list. And, enforce travel restrictions against affected persons.
7) Form a committee at the earliest to create a new official Seal and Motto for the Republic. Again, this exercise must involve people from all walks of life assisted by experts. The new Seal and Motto must be adopted prior to ratification of the new Constitution.
8) Create a National Security Plan to include recruiting, training, equipping, and building of the infrastructure to support the adequate number of police and immigration officers for deployment throughout the country. If necessary, divert funds from the Army to support these endeavors. Police and immigration services must be at full strength nationwide within 36 months.
9) Commence at the earliest paramilitary training for all citizens – male and female - between the ages of 18 to 25. Create standing units throughout the country to which these young patriots shall be assigned. Training exercises must be mandatory and held periodically. Draw from the pool of retired soldiers for the planning and organizing of these activities. The youth paramilitary corp shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior.
10) Form a committee to review and submit recommendations regarding the National Flag and Anthem. Again, this committee must include people from a cross-section of the society assisted by experts. Any proposed changes to the Flag and/or Anthem must be approved and adopted prior to ratifying the new Constitution.
11) Prepare at the earliest a comprehensive economic recovery plan, which shall include detailed steps for debt reduction/elimination, job creation, and infrastructure development. The plan must also take into account the possibility of issuing reconstruction bonds, as well as other government-backed securities. This presupposes that the justice system shall have been completely updated, strengthened, and made compatible with international standards; and that Liberia has become a nation of laws.
12) Launch effective immediately a nationwide grassroots food production campaign with emphasis on small-scale (individual and family) farming. Encourage every Liberian citizen to plant a garden. The government must provide seeds as well as the basic implements for those wishing to participate. Also, the government must offer incentives ranging from a few dollars to automobiles as well as other durable goods. All efforts must be made to significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on imported food.
13) Break the bottleneck now. Those who have held key leadership positions in government and other government-related institutions within the past 30 years must give way to a new corp of technocrats. This nation cannot progress as long it continues to marginalize its youths, denying them proper training while recycling the old. Effective immediately begin recruiting and grooming young professionals who will assume leadership positions in all areas of government. These young men and women must be exposed to the inner workings of government and given access to executive level management. It is essential that a viable succession strategy be put into place now. This will ensure continuity with a high degree of efficiency. With 30 being the median age, it is critical that leaders of this generation are given an opportunity to earn the respect of their peers. If the Europeans are able to recruit a Liberian in his thirties to fill the position of Auditor General, we can with a little effort find competent young men and women to head government ministries as well as other key institutions.
Capitalizing on the lessons of history
In a few years from now this nation will observe the 32nd anniversary of the infamous rice riot, which set into motion the calamity from which we have yet to recover. Remember where you were on that fateful day in April 1979? I can recall vividly my precise location when word of the mayhem reached me. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the current population has absolutely no knowledge of this tumultuous event? These young people – many of whom actively participated in the war - were not yet born. The violence of the past 28 years has devastated an entire generation, and gutted the soul of this nation. Amazingly, in spite of the glaring evidence visible in every facet of this society, there are some in denial. Downplaying the extent of violence perpetrated against defenseless civilians, they pretend all is well and this nation could easily rebound.
How do we move on without addressing the rape and abuse of our mothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters? How do we move on without knowing why entire villages were exterminated? How could we so easily forget the gruesome murders of those five Catholic nuns whose only crime was helping the victims? How can we dismiss the cold-blooded murders of 250,000 defenseless men, women and children? How do we live with ourselves? Where is our humanity?
It is often said those who fail to heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat their mistakes. Let us for a moment reflect on the events that forever changed this nation. It began in the 1970s with President Tolbert’s mishandling of the economy and the charged political atmosphere that existed at the time. His loss of control precipitated the bloody rice riot, which resulted in a high number of deaths and mass destruction of property. A year later almost to the day, President Tolbert was executed in a coup d’etat. The coup makers and the intellectuals collaborated in forming the new government. But rampart corruption, greed, and gross incompetence made it possible for MSgt. Samuel Kanyon Doe – the coup leader - to ascend to the presidency. However, President Doe’s constant fear of being overthrown kept the country on knife’s edge. Eventually his fears materialized. He was captured and detained for several hours during an attempted coup. Following his escape, President Doe in retaliation launched a vicious assault against his perceived enemies, primarily the Gios and Manos.
Presenting themselves as liberators, Charles Ghankay Taylor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Amos Claudius Sawyer, and others in 1989 ignited a deadly conflagration in an attempt to remove President Doe from office. The so-called liberation struggle soon devolved into a deadly contest for power where more than five armed factions battled for control of the country’s resources. Caught in the middle were defenseless civilians who suffered the brunt of the fighting that claimed upwards of 250,000 lives, mostly women and children.
The Ellen-Ghankay war in effect lasted fourteen years, halting only temporarily in 1997 with Charles Taylor’s election to the presidency. Shortly thereafter, fighting resumed with yet another incursion by the LURD forces across the Liberia-Guinea border. This next round of fighting lasted well into 2003 when Charles Taylor was forced into exile.
The need for the people’s government
What have we learned? In assessing the past 160 years there is one thing that is abundantly clear: Liberians ought to know by now how not to build a dysfunctional nation. This knowledge should prove invaluable if we commit to pulling out of the current quagmire and getting on with serious nation building. The debacle has provided an excellent opportunity to finally get it right. All the sacred cows and taboos have been obliterated, and those bankrupt customs have crumbled under their own weight. We now have a chance at a fresh start. So rather than seek the downfall of the Sirleaf government, let us resign ourselves to make the next 5 years the most productive ever.
Hopefully, Madam Sirleaf realizes that voters in the last elections placed their trust directly in her, not a political party. Therefore, to succeed she must adopt the concept of a People’s Government; rather than behave as though the mostly illiterate electorate purposely chose the Unity Party whose ideology they know nothing of. True party loyalty in earnest does not exist currently.
Madam Sirleaf herself provides proof of how easily Liberians often move from one party to the next. After being denied the standard bearership of the Liberia Action Party in 1997 she did not delay to move over to the Unity Party. Now she has been chosen to heal this nation, her administration must reflect the diversity that brought it to power. Thus far, she has not done so. Subscribing to the notion that this nation at this critical stage can be governed by a single political party to the exclusion of all others is dangerous and a serious miscalculation.
This may be Liberia’s last chance
The international community must be convinced Liberians are ready to work together in order to take seriously our appeals for debt relief and assistance to jumpstart the recovery. Perhaps the first step is for President Sirleaf to show she has a definite agenda that is widely supported by a cross-section of Liberians in such numbers that it is highly unlikely her detractors could succeed in undermining her regime. Liberia Contemporees and others are prepared to assist in creating this dynamic. However, the President must provide leadership and act fast.
The Security Council has sounded the alarm. United Nations troops in any significant numbers will not remain in this country much longer; and even then, they will not involve themselves in an intense confrontation. Therefore, it is imperative that priority be given to reconciliation and the search for justice; otherwise, Liberians can anticipate a gloomy future. In light of this possibility, the President must use this period of calm to build consensus and cooperation. She must not rely solely on the use of force to govern, because it will take some time before a homegrown force is capable of containing a major uprising.
This latest decision taken by the UN is a wake-up call for the President as well as the people of Liberia. Apparently, the international community is unhappy with the performance of this government, and rightfully so. Why should anyone support this country when its citizens, particularly the leaders, are unwilling to improve their own condition?
We believe you are reading this document because of your love for Liberia. But love cannot survive where there is no sacrifice. Therefore, we must put aside differences and work to end the cycle of violence. There’s no doubt President Sirleaf means well, but she needs help. The hope is she will seek the assistance of others who are committed to the development to this country. The strain of war has taken a heavy toll on this nation. No leader can succeed without Liberians emasse rallying around them. If we fail to support this government, it most likely will fail. And failure is not an option. Because there’s no telling when we will again have this opportunity.
Regardless of her past activities, President Sirleaf is now the elected leader. All peace-loving Liberians must rally around her to ensure the march toward lasting peace proceeds uninterrupted. This nation cannot withstand yet another aborted regime and the chaos that is likely to ensue. However, for peace to have a chance the president must change tactics, prove her opponents wrong, and bring Liberians together.
In a word of caution during those turbulent weeks following Charles Taylor’s departure, former U.S. secretary of state Gen. Colin Powell remarked, “This may be Liberia’s last chance.” We hope everyone was listening, especially now that support for reconstruction has waned. Liberians have remained parked in limbo for the past 28 years as the world moved forward. Time has taken its toll; you no longer look the same. Glancing at the mirror, you ask, who is this person? It’s you. What will be your legacy? Because the issue now is not about Liberia’s last chance, rather, is it my last chance?
The Author: Mr. T. Q. Harris, Jr. is currently the General Chairman of Liberia Contemporees United Patriotic and Strong (Contemp UPS) and a former vice presidential nominee. He can be reached by phone in the U.S. at (562) 787-1429, in Liberia (231) 652-4295, or email him at liberia1@charther.net.
In Psalm 90:12 Moses prayed: “[Lord] teach us to number our day that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Today, we say this prayer for you – fellow compatriots - as days have turned to weeks, weeks to months, months to years; and the years have become decades. Now we must use the lessons of time to create a better world for future generations. Never again must we put an individual above the state. Let us place our trust in God; He will restore all that the locusts have eaten.
When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said in her speech to the joint session of the U.S. Congress that, “Liberia could become America’s success story in Africa,” she no doubt was looking in the right direction, but for the wrong reasons.
Given the strong historical ties between the two nations, a successful Liberia will undoubtedly reflect positively on America. But Liberians themselves must be in the vanguard of any transformation and believe it is for their own benefit. There needs to be a burning desire to excel and to prosper, as well as the drive to become the best. Liberians must believe they deserve better and are willing to take the necessary steps to improve. And it is the leader who must layout a vision – a dream that inspires and motivate so when the story is written it shall tell of how the people rose to the occasion, and through their love, hard work, their sacrifices, and dedication created a thing of beauty.
For far too long this nation has looked outside for solution to its problems while underutilizing and ignoring its own resources; as a result, generations have taken comfort in mediocrity and complacency. Now there is the general belief only strangers can inspire success. One need look no further than the headlines in the daily papers: Arab Businessman Plans To Invest In Liberia; American Billionaire Set To Invest In The Reconstruction; World Bank President Visit Will Jumpstart The Economy; Mega Global Corporation To Create Thousands Of Jobs; Chinese Investors Headed For Liberia; French Investors Arrive; George Soros Promotes Liberia; Donors Meet To Fund Reconstruction; Debt Relief Is The Solution; and so on and so on.
These screaming front-page headlines further illustrate Liberians lack of confidence in their own abilities. There’s hardly a mention of the role Liberians themselves must play in rebuilding this nation. Even the President has spent more time rousing peoples in distant lands rather then rallying Liberians across town. We must disabuse ourselves of this 19th century African mentality, which in large part is responsible for the general lack of patriotism.
Anyone who for the past 30 years has followed the politics and means well for this nation would agree legislative and presidential elections should not have taken place in 2005. The dynamics did not favor a positive outcome. Allowing the warlords to dominate the transition doomed the process. Combatants were never demobilized and properly accounted for, giving the impression the negotiators were dealing with the wrong people. Failing to account for and disarm the real combatants has made it extremely difficult restoring law and order in the immediate post-war era. Furthermore, thousands did not take part in those elections due to internal and external displacement. And, the elections were further compromised due to the absence of a mechanism to exclude individuals known to have committed outrageous human rights abuses. As a result, the current make-up of elected officials presents an obstacle to reconstruction; as some within the international community are hard pressed to invest in a government headed by the very people responsible for the destruction.
Though the evidence was abundantly clear, selfishness got the better of us. Hundreds declared their candidacy and the country was rushed into elections ill equipped to deal with post-war challenges. As the consequences of this misstep have become ever present, there are increasing signs of disillusionment. The President herself echoed this sentiment recently when she said, “Things are much different on the inside than they looked from outside.”
The President’s potent enemies
Barring a major reordering of priorities, a change in thinking, and the overhaul of key institutions, it is highly unlikely this nation will experience any significant progress within the next five years. This rather gloomy prediction is based on the fact Liberian leaders in general have been unwilling to make the hard decisions that will create the proper foundation for viable nation building. Many have spoken eloquently about Liberia’s potential and possibilities while at the same time nurturing a culture of injustice, impunity, immorality, and dependency. Thus far, President Sirleaf seems headed in the same direction.
It is obvious Madam Sirleaf for whatever reason is finding it difficult to provide the type of leadership this country needs at the moment. Even though she’s aware reconstruction depends largely on support from the international community, particularly Liberia’s traditional allies, the President has been less than cooperative in a number of areas. She has yet to comply with the UN request to freeze assets of persons known to have fueled conflicts in the region. Calls for judicial reform seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Also, the failure to aggressively attack corruption and place high priority on healing and reconciliation has many wondering as to whether the President is aware of the current danger that exists. And it appears the international community is unhappy with some appointees. Their concerns have to do with past behavior of these individuals. Liberians generally tend to ignore such things because they have an uncanny ability to forgive even to a flaw. Forgiveness is important; however, doing the same thing over again is the definition of insanity.
Additionally, the President has made a number of critical errors that have negatively impacted the recovery; among these are: 1) her reluctance in the early stages to request Charles Taylor’s handover to the International Court; 2) her comment that “Charles Taylor is not our problem.” This shows ungratefulness for the sacrifices others have made on behalf of the Liberian people. 3) impugning the integrity of the Special Court by demanding a fair trial for Charles Taylor; 4) floating the idea of the government paying Charles Taylor’s legal fees; 5) refusing to seek prosecution of persons accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity; 6) failing to act against the posting of a billboard in Monrovia declaring Charles Taylor innocent while his victims are ignored. This is tantamount to celebrating Adolph Hitler in post-Nazi Germany; and 7) ignoring the Supreme Court ruling by appearing before renegade legislators in the City of Virginia.
As the President continues to demonstrate weakness and a lack of resolve, her opponents are gaining momentum. Left unchecked, they will win the day by inciting mass protests, ultimately
rendering the country again ungovernable. This no doubt will adversely affect recovery and prolong the misery. We hope madam Sirleaf understands that in the absence of bold audacious leadership this nation will again relapse into chaos, especially in light of widespread poverty.
It is an open secret President Sirleaf has many potent enemies – people who claim to know her personally; the vast majority are individuals with whom she collaborated during the Doe era. They believe Madam Sirleaf is unethical and lacks the integrity to hold the office of president, because supposedly she betrayed them. Initially they accepted her leadership in bringing down the Doe government. But as her character came into question and the group became uncomfortable, she began to sabotage the mission. Her actions, they claim, prolonged the fighting.
In questioning the President’s character and leadership ability, her opponents often cite decisions she has made in the recent past. One such decision was her support for a UN takeover of Liberia at the height of the crisis. They consider this as yet another illustration of Madam Sirleaf’s selfish nature. Because when it appeared she would not replace President Doe, Madam Sirleaf then opted to give away the country. They also make references to her vigorous campaign in Ghana to secure the chairmanship of the transitional government knowing full well the position would last only two years and bar her from seeking the presidency.
The Locust Generation
Although the argument is compelling, Madam Sirleaf’s opponents have yet to proffer a viable alternative. Rather, they have merely exposed the types of rivalries that brought this nation to its knees. This is the story of the past 30 plus years: small groups of individuals constantly fighting amongst themselves only to deny the other, and in the process inflict massive injuries to the population. Should the President’s opponents succeed in forcing her out of office, she and her followers will invariably turn on them and the cycle will continue. Innocent people will die and this nation will further disintegrate.
One generation has been denied the chance of a decent future. Another has been deprived the opportunity of serving and giving back to the country. And there is yet another - deserving of derision – whose legacy shall be that of destroyers. This was the generation of promise - successor to the Tubman/Tolbert generation. It was by far the most educated, well traveled and sophisticated. No one could have imagined they would turn out to be so violent and destructive. Since coming of age, they have wrecked their entire inheritance and destroyed everything of value. Charles Ghankay Taylor exemplifies the character of this generation: No respect or trust for one another, incapable of compromise and will stop at nothing to gain personal wealth and recognition. Their true color is often displayed in leadership contests. On these occasions they become vicious and unyielding, showing absolutely no concern for the consequences of their actions. Despite numerous proclamations and expressions of disgust and anger, they could not forge a unified opposition against the vilest regime this nation has ever known. The selfish nature of these individuals renders them incapable of supporting any effort to unite Liberians unless they are in the lead. And when given the opportunity to lead, they often create strife and division. “If I cannot have it no one else will”; this is their mantra. They are best described as the Locust generation.
To halt the cycle of violence, supporters and non-supporters of President Sirleaf must in the interest of this nation begin collaborating for the purpose of strengthening what is undeniably a weak regime. Failing to do so will leave open the door for anti-progressive forces to again divide
the country, pitting brothers and brothers. And as things fall apart they will again flee and watch from a distance. Peace-loving Liberians of all stripes must make it clear to the President that we are ready to support her administration if she is willing to implement those measures that are critical to the revival of this nation. However, should she fail to act decisively, we will have no other alternative than to embrace someone else in order to avert yet another catastrophe.
We must not allow this country to revert back to violence on account of weak ineffective leadership. The people are becoming anxious; there is no time for delay. President Sirleaf must take the necessary steps to strengthen this regime – regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, or face the possibility of being dislodged by her opponents.
A moment of unparallel opportunities
By becoming Africa’s first female head of state Madam Sirleaf has earned a permanent place in world history. However, we believe she could further enlarge her stature by bringing this nation solidly into the 21st century. The efforts to accomplish this feat shall be no less daunting then that which she exerted on her journey to the Presidency. But the rewards are incalculable. By taking the bold steps necessary, Madam Sirleaf could excel where her predecessors have faltered by changing the destiny of a people. Guiding Africa’s first republic into its full potential is a natural fit for the continent’s first female head of state. After all, what value is this title if the nation she heads is backward and insignificant? Perhaps this is the moment generations have longed for. Is it possible Madam Sirleaf could finally set Liberia on the path to becoming a true success story? Only time will tell.
The following must form part of any serious plan to transform this nation:
1) Begin by drafting a truly Liberian Constitution. As lawyers and scholars supervise, ordinary citizens must drive the process. The people must be given the opportunity to put their heart and soul into this esteemed document, knowing full well that someday they or their children might have to defend it at the peril of their life. A new Constitution must be ratified within the next 12 months.
2) Revise the requirements for citizenship. It is abominable to make race a requirement to become a citizen of this country. Anyone without a criminal background, who meets the minimum residency requirement and willing to abide by the laws of this country, should be considered eligible. Also, a natural born citizen must not under any circumstance lose his or her citizenship.
3) Overhaul the entire justice system. Do away with the two-tier legal system. Women must have equal rights in marriage - traditional or otherwise, and receive equal protection under the law. There must be a system-wide improvement of prisons. These facilities must be modernized and manned by professionals who at all times shall be accountable. Rather than a dungeon, a prison must be a place for reflection and rehabilitation. And the rights of children must be protected under the law; even parents and teachers must be held accountable for any injury inflicted upon a child.
4) Create a special independent Land or Real Estate Court that will handle all disputes relating to real property and issues of this nature. In the aftermath of the brutal war and prolonged displacement of the population, there is an urgent need to establish this court.
5) Request assistance from the United Nations to investigate human rights abuses, torture, as well as other crimes perpetrated against civilians during the war. This long delayed process must be fast tracked by expanding the mandate of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to include Liberia. Limit prosecutions to persons bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And for the others, there must be a formal process (a truth commission or a religious/paralegal forum) where the accused must acknowledge their offenses and apologize to the victims. In certain cases, the guilty shall be required to pay reparation and be placed on an extended probation.
6) Freeze effectively immediately the assets of individuals whose names appear on the United Nations list. And, enforce travel restrictions against affected persons.
7) Form a committee at the earliest to create a new official Seal and Motto for the Republic. Again, this exercise must involve people from all walks of life assisted by experts. The new Seal and Motto must be adopted prior to ratification of the new Constitution.
8) Create a National Security Plan to include recruiting, training, equipping, and building of the infrastructure to support the adequate number of police and immigration officers for deployment throughout the country. If necessary, divert funds from the Army to support these endeavors. Police and immigration services must be at full strength nationwide within 36 months.
9) Commence at the earliest paramilitary training for all citizens – male and female - between the ages of 18 to 25. Create standing units throughout the country to which these young patriots shall be assigned. Training exercises must be mandatory and held periodically. Draw from the pool of retired soldiers for the planning and organizing of these activities. The youth paramilitary corp shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior.
10) Form a committee to review and submit recommendations regarding the National Flag and Anthem. Again, this committee must include people from a cross-section of the society assisted by experts. Any proposed changes to the Flag and/or Anthem must be approved and adopted prior to ratifying the new Constitution.
11) Prepare at the earliest a comprehensive economic recovery plan, which shall include detailed steps for debt reduction/elimination, job creation, and infrastructure development. The plan must also take into account the possibility of issuing reconstruction bonds, as well as other government-backed securities. This presupposes that the justice system shall have been completely updated, strengthened, and made compatible with international standards; and that Liberia has become a nation of laws.
12) Launch effective immediately a nationwide grassroots food production campaign with emphasis on small-scale (individual and family) farming. Encourage every Liberian citizen to plant a garden. The government must provide seeds as well as the basic implements for those wishing to participate. Also, the government must offer incentives ranging from a few dollars to automobiles as well as other durable goods. All efforts must be made to significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on imported food.
13) Break the bottleneck now. Those who have held key leadership positions in government and other government-related institutions within the past 30 years must give way to a new corp of technocrats. This nation cannot progress as long it continues to marginalize its youths, denying them proper training while recycling the old. Effective immediately begin recruiting and grooming young professionals who will assume leadership positions in all areas of government. These young men and women must be exposed to the inner workings of government and given access to executive level management. It is essential that a viable succession strategy be put into place now. This will ensure continuity with a high degree of efficiency. With 30 being the median age, it is critical that leaders of this generation are given an opportunity to earn the respect of their peers. If the Europeans are able to recruit a Liberian in his thirties to fill the position of Auditor General, we can with a little effort find competent young men and women to head government ministries as well as other key institutions.
Capitalizing on the lessons of history
In a few years from now this nation will observe the 32nd anniversary of the infamous rice riot, which set into motion the calamity from which we have yet to recover. Remember where you were on that fateful day in April 1979? I can recall vividly my precise location when word of the mayhem reached me. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the current population has absolutely no knowledge of this tumultuous event? These young people – many of whom actively participated in the war - were not yet born. The violence of the past 28 years has devastated an entire generation, and gutted the soul of this nation. Amazingly, in spite of the glaring evidence visible in every facet of this society, there are some in denial. Downplaying the extent of violence perpetrated against defenseless civilians, they pretend all is well and this nation could easily rebound.
How do we move on without addressing the rape and abuse of our mothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters? How do we move on without knowing why entire villages were exterminated? How could we so easily forget the gruesome murders of those five Catholic nuns whose only crime was helping the victims? How can we dismiss the cold-blooded murders of 250,000 defenseless men, women and children? How do we live with ourselves? Where is our humanity?
It is often said those who fail to heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat their mistakes. Let us for a moment reflect on the events that forever changed this nation. It began in the 1970s with President Tolbert’s mishandling of the economy and the charged political atmosphere that existed at the time. His loss of control precipitated the bloody rice riot, which resulted in a high number of deaths and mass destruction of property. A year later almost to the day, President Tolbert was executed in a coup d’etat. The coup makers and the intellectuals collaborated in forming the new government. But rampart corruption, greed, and gross incompetence made it possible for MSgt. Samuel Kanyon Doe – the coup leader - to ascend to the presidency. However, President Doe’s constant fear of being overthrown kept the country on knife’s edge. Eventually his fears materialized. He was captured and detained for several hours during an attempted coup. Following his escape, President Doe in retaliation launched a vicious assault against his perceived enemies, primarily the Gios and Manos.
Presenting themselves as liberators, Charles Ghankay Taylor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Amos Claudius Sawyer, and others in 1989 ignited a deadly conflagration in an attempt to remove President Doe from office. The so-called liberation struggle soon devolved into a deadly contest for power where more than five armed factions battled for control of the country’s resources. Caught in the middle were defenseless civilians who suffered the brunt of the fighting that claimed upwards of 250,000 lives, mostly women and children.
The Ellen-Ghankay war in effect lasted fourteen years, halting only temporarily in 1997 with Charles Taylor’s election to the presidency. Shortly thereafter, fighting resumed with yet another incursion by the LURD forces across the Liberia-Guinea border. This next round of fighting lasted well into 2003 when Charles Taylor was forced into exile.
The need for the people’s government
What have we learned? In assessing the past 160 years there is one thing that is abundantly clear: Liberians ought to know by now how not to build a dysfunctional nation. This knowledge should prove invaluable if we commit to pulling out of the current quagmire and getting on with serious nation building. The debacle has provided an excellent opportunity to finally get it right. All the sacred cows and taboos have been obliterated, and those bankrupt customs have crumbled under their own weight. We now have a chance at a fresh start. So rather than seek the downfall of the Sirleaf government, let us resign ourselves to make the next 5 years the most productive ever.
Hopefully, Madam Sirleaf realizes that voters in the last elections placed their trust directly in her, not a political party. Therefore, to succeed she must adopt the concept of a People’s Government; rather than behave as though the mostly illiterate electorate purposely chose the Unity Party whose ideology they know nothing of. True party loyalty in earnest does not exist currently.
Madam Sirleaf herself provides proof of how easily Liberians often move from one party to the next. After being denied the standard bearership of the Liberia Action Party in 1997 she did not delay to move over to the Unity Party. Now she has been chosen to heal this nation, her administration must reflect the diversity that brought it to power. Thus far, she has not done so. Subscribing to the notion that this nation at this critical stage can be governed by a single political party to the exclusion of all others is dangerous and a serious miscalculation.
This may be Liberia’s last chance
The international community must be convinced Liberians are ready to work together in order to take seriously our appeals for debt relief and assistance to jumpstart the recovery. Perhaps the first step is for President Sirleaf to show she has a definite agenda that is widely supported by a cross-section of Liberians in such numbers that it is highly unlikely her detractors could succeed in undermining her regime. Liberia Contemporees and others are prepared to assist in creating this dynamic. However, the President must provide leadership and act fast.
The Security Council has sounded the alarm. United Nations troops in any significant numbers will not remain in this country much longer; and even then, they will not involve themselves in an intense confrontation. Therefore, it is imperative that priority be given to reconciliation and the search for justice; otherwise, Liberians can anticipate a gloomy future. In light of this possibility, the President must use this period of calm to build consensus and cooperation. She must not rely solely on the use of force to govern, because it will take some time before a homegrown force is capable of containing a major uprising.
This latest decision taken by the UN is a wake-up call for the President as well as the people of Liberia. Apparently, the international community is unhappy with the performance of this government, and rightfully so. Why should anyone support this country when its citizens, particularly the leaders, are unwilling to improve their own condition?
We believe you are reading this document because of your love for Liberia. But love cannot survive where there is no sacrifice. Therefore, we must put aside differences and work to end the cycle of violence. There’s no doubt President Sirleaf means well, but she needs help. The hope is she will seek the assistance of others who are committed to the development to this country. The strain of war has taken a heavy toll on this nation. No leader can succeed without Liberians emasse rallying around them. If we fail to support this government, it most likely will fail. And failure is not an option. Because there’s no telling when we will again have this opportunity.
Regardless of her past activities, President Sirleaf is now the elected leader. All peace-loving Liberians must rally around her to ensure the march toward lasting peace proceeds uninterrupted. This nation cannot withstand yet another aborted regime and the chaos that is likely to ensue. However, for peace to have a chance the president must change tactics, prove her opponents wrong, and bring Liberians together.
In a word of caution during those turbulent weeks following Charles Taylor’s departure, former U.S. secretary of state Gen. Colin Powell remarked, “This may be Liberia’s last chance.” We hope everyone was listening, especially now that support for reconstruction has waned. Liberians have remained parked in limbo for the past 28 years as the world moved forward. Time has taken its toll; you no longer look the same. Glancing at the mirror, you ask, who is this person? It’s you. What will be your legacy? Because the issue now is not about Liberia’s last chance, rather, is it my last chance?
The Author: Mr. T. Q. Harris, Jr. is currently the General Chairman of Liberia Contemporees United Patriotic and Strong (Contemp UPS) and a former vice presidential nominee. He can be reached by phone in the U.S. at (562) 787-1429, in Liberia (231) 652-4295, or email him at liberia1@charther.net.
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