-Warns Liberians against blind support
Veteran Liberian Historian and former Liberian Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Joseph Saye Guannue has warned citizens against blind support to the planned June 7, 2019 protest organized by the Council of Patriots (COP).
Dr. Guannue, who has published several acclaimed books including Liberian History up to 1847 and Liberian History Before 1857, described the planned protect as an effort by those who lost their thought paradise in the distant and recent past to regain it at the expense of the peril of Liberia.
The Liberian historian is also a longstanding University of Liberia and Cuttington University Professor.
Historicizing protests and demonstrations in Liberia at the latest
edition of the LMDI People To People flagship platform, THE DIALOGUE with students of the FENDELL campus of the University of Liberia, Dr.
Guannue averred that protests of any kind have never been kind to Liberia.
According to him, this has been so because the planners and organizers have always had politically contemplated ulterior motives.
And that such, he said
organizers have never been the true representatives of the people.
According to an LMDI press release, Prof. Guannue recalled
that whether Liberia as a protester herself or Liberians as protesters,
have never got the desired redress from the international community,
because either Liberia was intentionally victimized per perception or
Liberian protesters never presented a true case for the redemption of
the people.
Therefore, he said such protesters always had ulterior political motives that becloud the good intentions of protests.
The veteran Liberian historian said Liberians should not blindly
support the June 7 protest, because according to him, a few decades
ago, the majority of the people suffered what he called an identity
crisis imposed by then ruling elite that acted as the kings against
their subjects, protesting but with no DIALOGUE for any form of
redress from the rulers.
Pointing to the 1979 rice riots, Dr. Guannue said though the pronounced
intent of the protest then was right it was diluted by political and
personal interests, which destroyed the intentions.
Dr. Guannue said today’s Liberia per leadership is rather divorced
from the past because current leaders come from a background that
agitated for freedom and free speech and should do nothing to thwart
same.
The renowned Liberian Historian says he believes that President George Weah’s background will not allow him to resist the needed DIALOGUE for peace. As such, he said aggrieved Liberians should take advantage of
what he calls the president’s initial show of willingness to DIALOGUE.