By Amb. Aloys Uwimana and Sam Harris, Contributing Writers
People are born, grow up and die. That is the law of nature. A country is unmovable and remains forever. Only in the course of their respective histories, countries can experience glorious moments and sad events due to natural circumstances or bad governance of the elite in power. Liberia is not an exception.
After 12 years of peace and security stability, thanks to the assistance of the International Community, and three successful democratic elections, but with less interest on the national economy, Liberia seems to navigate through turbulence. Corruption, the enemy number one of the Republic of Liberia, the daily deteriorating economy, the cacophony inside the government, and the issue of the allegedly illegally printed and missing money may further tarnish the Liberian credibility and image if they were not properly handled.
This article intends to underscore the role Liberia played in the Concert of Nations prior to the 14 years civil war, underline the recovery of its international image after 14 years of military and political turmoil, and provide some advice as to the continuation of its image building.
Liberia is among the 43 Allied Nations that gathered in Britton Woods, New Hampshire, USA for the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, also known as the Bretton Woods Conference. The two Britton Woods Institutions- The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IRBD), now commonly referred to as The World Bank, and The International Monetary Fund (IMF) – were established at the end of the aforementioned Conference, more precisely on July 22, 1944. In addition,
Liberia is a founding member of the United Nations Organization (UNO). It signed the UN Charter which created the UNO in San Francisco, California, USA on June 26, 1945 and deposited the Ratification Act on November 2, 1945.
Besides being a founding member of those prestigious institutions, Liberia played a well-documented role in the two World Wars. During the World War I (WWI), it joined the Allied side on 4 August 1917 and is accounted amongst the victors of the War. It also entered the World War II (WWII) in January 1944 with the election of William V.S. Tubman by declaring war on Germany and Japan respectively. It mainly played a role as a supplier of rubber to the Allies.
The late Miss Angie Elizabeth Brooks, Liberian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, became the second woman and first African woman to ascend to the post of the President of the UN General Assembly. She presided over the 24th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1970. During her tenure at the United Nations, she was President, Vice-President or Chair of many Committees and Commissions including the UN Commission on Rwanda-Burundi in 1962.
One of the authors of this article, a native of Rwanda, remembers that Angie Elizabeth Brooks led a UN Delegation to Rwanda in the 1960s in the framework of the conflict resolution between Hutu and Tutsi, the two main ethnic groups comprising the Rwandan population.
Dr. George Maneh Weah, the Liberian current President became the first African player in 1995 to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, the highest honor in the football history in the World.
Indeed, Liberia is a signatory to numerous international instruments that include conventions, declarations, treaties, protocols and laws. Liberia is part and parcel of the globalized world that has become a global village which is guided by principles, protocols, conventions, declarations, treaties, and laws. Unfortunately, this positive role Liberia played on the international arena was badly destroyed by the 1989 civil war but quickly restored after the election of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005.
In a previous article titled “The Liberian Economy: Need for Stabilization and Reform” that was published by The Daily Observer in its September 19, 2018 issue, Ambassador Aloys Uwimana cautioned the Liberian Government. He pointed out that the task of stabilizing and reforming the Liberia economy will not be easy as it is immense, difficult, to not say titanic. He added that it would require a political will, committed human and physical resources, and lots of sacrifices. He concluded that it was imperative that this task be undertaken if Liberia wants to break the cycle of conflict, violence and poverty that has engulfed the West-African country for the past years.
Liberia cannot afford to and must not live outside the global village. The fundamental Principle of International Law states that treaties are to be obeyed otherwise in Latin “Pacta Sunt Servanda”. Until otherwise established, Liberia remains committed to the outcomes of all international engagements unless proven otherwise; in Latin “Rebus Sic Stantibus”. In the words of Don Harold, “don’t ever slam a door, you might want to go back”.
Similarly, in a recent radio commentary on Radio Nimba, Sam Harris, a co-author of this article, asked whether “IMAGE BUILDING” was an Imperative or a Necessity for Winning International Supports for Liberia. Understanding the tasks of image building especially at this time in the history of our national existence, be at hoods all (especially key actors) to act appropriately. Liberia is still recovering from the lingering effects of the civil wars and their consequent economic upheavals, with about “85%” of the population living below the international poverty line.
A step towards re-building the country’s dimpled image after years of socio-economic and political instability and 14 years of civil conflict had just begun than the ushering in of the CDC-led “Pro-Poor” Government of Dr. George Maneh Weah. We are of the opinion that this process of “Image Building” must continue if Liberia is to successfully swim within the “pool” of sovereign nation states.
However, we strongly believe that Dr. and President George M. Weah has all it takes to steer Liberia forward and save its international image. He, as a self-made man, was never involved in the Liberian ills. He is financially independent, and most importantly was elected with a comfortable majority. Nevertheless, he should be aware of all kinds of resistance he would face if he has not yet already. As a result, he should be a man of principle solely guided by the interests of his beloved country and the Liberian people. We are “paralyzed with fear” that missing this opportunity, as a country to achieving its domestic and foreign policies goals and objectives will just be another “mirage”.
As Liberians and the world at large eagerly await the report from the 16 billion “saga”, let Liberians prepare for the consequences that will follow thereafter, with the understanding of basic principles that guide the current international system (tied-aid) especially when those recommendations are not taken seriously by the authorities.
In the authors’ view, this will serve as the first major “litmus test” of the international community to the CDC led- Administration of Dr. George Maneh Weah and could further exacerbate the country’s already “ill” socio-economic conditions; create a recipe for chaos in the midst of bad roads, economic hardship, just to name a few.
We wish you, Mr. President and your crew members, a safe sail and good luck. In French we say Bonne Chance et Bon Voyage!
About the authors: Ambassador (Ret.) Aloys Uwimana is a Professor of French and Economics at Nimba County Community College (NCCC) in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economic and Social Sciences from the University of Rwanda and Masters of Arts in Economics from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium), International Studies from Ohio University (Athens, OH, USA), and French Studies from the American University (Washington, DC, USA). He can be reached at 0777778034 / 0888644125 or at bihira2002@yahoo.com.
Sam Harris teaches Gender and Development Studies, Social Science and Sociology at NCCC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Liberia. His contact information is as follows: 0777594763 / 0886594763.