Open Letter To Hon. Taa Zogbe Kartoe Wongbe
From Rev. Torli H. Krua
PHOTO: The Author
Honorable Representative Wongbe,
Many of Liberia’s leaders are Christians who profess faith in God. Therefore, the public life of the Christian leaders in government must be measured not only by politics, but by truth, justice, and righteousness.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Bible (Proverbs 14:34)
Zogbe (brave in Daan), consistent with your name, you spoke plainly what many fear to admit: “The President gets what the President wants.” If that is true, then Liberia is not functioning as a democracy, but as a system where the Legislature has surrendered its authority.
Liberia is not alone. Even in the United States—often cited as a model— Congressional leaders such as Mike Johnson emphasize that “the United States is not a democracy—it is a constitutional republic.” That distinction matters. A republic requires independent institutions, checks and balances, and genuine representation. If Liberia has neither, then what you describe is a system without accountability—one that requires rebirth, not endless elections recycling politicians.
Hon. Wongbe, history supports your concern. The American Colonization Society itself acknowledged that colonization was designed by slave masters to make enslaved people in America “more obedient… more useful to their masters.” Also, David Walker, before he was killed in Boston for opposing American Colonization warned:
“The colonizing plan… is a scheme of slaveholders to keep us in ignorance and misery.”
Recently, U.S. Ambassador McCarthy observed that corruption in Liberia is not new, but deeply rooted-”over two centuries old.” Thanks for bravely speaking what you claim is the truth. However, the truth, once spoken, creates responsibility.
“To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” — Bible (James 4:17)
You cannot declare the system broken and remain comfortably inside it without becoming part of what you condemn. This is especially true when public office comes with significant compensation compared to the conditions of the people you represent.
You have said you will remain for two more years to serve. But service cannot exist where representation is absent. If the Legislature is, in your own words, “useless,” then remaining without action is not service—it’s acceptance-it’s “useless”.
Let us also speak about justice beyond Liberia’s borders.
Today, over one billion people worldwide can enter the United States through visa waiver and privileged systems. Yet not a single African country—including Liberia—is included. Meanwhile, ordinary Liberians pay millions of dollars in “nonrefundable” visa fees, facing extremely high denial rates. (Liberia-79.39% rejection, compared to Iran-53%, Afghanistan-48% and Russia-38%)
Where is the Liberian Legislature’s voice on this?
Where is the demand for reciprocity—a basic principle of fairness and international diplomacy?
For more than a century, thousands of American citizens settled in Liberia without visas or naturalization. Ten of Liberia’s presidents were natural born citizens of the United States—not merely “freed slaves,” but individuals with established legal ties to America. Some settlers traced their citizenship to Massachusetts, where the 1780 Constitution declared all men free and equal, and where the 1781 case of Brom and Bett v. Ashley helped end slavery by 1783—long before the U.S. Constitution was adopted.
Even after the racist 1790 Naturalization Act restricted citizenship to “free white persons,” there was no lawful expiration of citizenship for Black citizens of Massachusetts.
If Liberia welcomed American citizens for generations—and aligned itself with the United States in times of World Wars—why are Liberian lawmakers, many with permanent residency and U.S. citizenship, fearful in demanding reciprocity for their constituents today or calling for Liberia’s recognition as the 51st state?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” — Bible (Luke 6:31)
At the same time, Liberian politicians enjoy access denied to the people they represent, thus creating a clear conflict of interest. Politicians can’t fight for what they themselves do not experience?
Let us also consider lawmakers’ role in governance and sacrifice.
The State of Texas operates with a budget exceeding $330 billion, yet its lawmakers earn approximately $7,200 per year, serving without excessive privileges Liberian lawmakers enjoy-new cars-drivers-staff-gas slips…..
Liberia, with far fewer resources, sustains a system where politicians determine their own salaries and benefits greater than American lawmakers as poor Liberians struggle endlessly.
This is neither just nor sustainable. Who will speak out for poor Liberians living and dying in a nation with vast mineral resources such as gold, diamonds and iron ore?
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit… Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” — Bible (Matthew 7:18–20)
Meanwhile, the corrupt system continues producing corruption—regardless of who occupies the office. After nearly half a century in opposition and two six year terms, President Sirleaf admitted she failed in fighting corruption because all along she didn’t realize the obstacle was “systemic corruption.”
That is why elections without a new constitution by the people yield more corruption.
The Free Liberia Movement is implementing nationwide awareness for a sovereign citizens’ convention—a process by which the people themselves draft and adopt a truly democratic constitution, and advancing U.S. citizenship initiative for all Liberians-something most politicians have enjoyed for two centuries.
You ended your statement with “End of story.” Respectfully, Sir, the story is not over.
A difficult matter is not resolved by mere observation. It requires decisive action.
If you truly believe what you have written, then integrity demands a choice:
By remaining in the system, you accept the system you have condemned, or step forward and join citizens working for rebirth and a new constitution by the people that empower the people, not the politicians in setting the rules, including the salaries and benefits of their public servants. “A servant is not greater than the master.”
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” — Bible (Joshua 24:15)
History will not remember what you observed.
It will remember what you chose to do. Here’s how story ends: Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Respectfully,
Rev. Torli H. Krua
Rev. Torli H. Krua is Nimba County District 9 Constituent and Founder of the Free Liberia
Movement seeking U.S. citizenship for all persons born in Liberia and repair of two centuries of American Colonization, in collaboration with lawmakers in Massachusetts. Krua believes the system of governance in Liberia was envisioned, designed and created by slave masters to enrich and empower politicians and therefore electing or recycling politicians cannot fix the purpose for which Liberia was created-to keep slaves enslaved forever and obedient to their masters. Liberia needs REBIRTH, NOT RECYCLING POLITICIANS!1