Open Letter to Maryland County Acting Superintendent On Refugee Violence

KUDENUMO PEACE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION, INC. (KNPIF)

MARYLAND AVENUE, HARPER CITY, MARYLAND COUNTY, R. L.

CELL: +231.6920.151/666.6957

EMAIL: osygefo@hotmail.com

August 13, 2011

Daniel Williams
ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
Maryland County, R. L.
Harper City, Maryland County



Dear Hon. Williams:

Trusting you are enjoying God’s grace and doing well with your varied responsibilities, we greet you!

The occasion of this letter is to once more officially register our deepest concerns and distaste of refugee violence against our Indigenes in the Ferguson and Rocktown Belts.

Record holds that the first batch of Ivorian refugees arrived in great quantity in Harper City in March, 2011 for safe haven. Since their arrival, violence has been meted against our Indigenes in the various regions where the refugees have been placed.

The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other local and international nongovernmental organizations took over the refugee situation. They placed the refugees on the former Bishop Ferguson High School Campus. To create room for the refugees, they evicted young kids from nearby villages who were attending classes in the Ferguson building. To add more insult to the injury, the refugees damaged sugar cane farms and crops of the kid’s parents beyond human imagination. The people of the area became no longer at ease. To find redress and relieve, they ran to the Superintendent’s office with their complaints. After numbers of complaints filed, Superintendent J. Gble-Bo Brown visited with the indigenes in the Ferguson Belt to help resolve the emerging crisis. The Indigenes presented their plight. The Superintendent agreed with the people’s case and submitted an apology. He then promised that the violence would seize effective immediately. But to the dismay and utmost surprise of the Indigenes, the destructive attitude of the refugees escalated instead provoking tremendous level of severe human suffering and catastrophe in the area.

Everywhere the Indigenes turned for help was up to no avail. They called on us. And we heard their cry and also felt their pain. As an organization spearheading peace within the Glebo Peninsula in which the Indigenes of the Ferguson Belt fall, we authored a letter to the Superintendent’s office seeking an immediate remedy to the situation. Otherwise, we felt that if nothing was done, the Indigenes in the area would be internally displaced. And this would trouble the Liberian government. The response to our request and complaint was slow. So we physically visited the office and inter faced with you. You then promised a “speedy” response. Unfortunately again, the response was not satisfactory. We then made a demand for an independent investigation/inquiry. Thank God you granted the demand for an independent investigation/inquiry. But we were surprised the investigating team was not independent. We registered our regret and disappointment for the lack of an independent investigation/inquiry. But all the same, you authorized the investigation anyhow. After several weeks, a report by the Investigating team you set up submitted a report. But up to the time we opine, the Report on the Ferguson refugee violence has not yet received any attention in specific terms of implementation from your office. And this beats our minds and the minds of every normal person.

Hon. Acting Superintendent, recently, another situation with reference to refugee violence has emerged in the Rocktown/Little Wlebo area. And it is our opinion that this emerging situation is due to your office’s ongoing campaign of silence on the pending refugee crisis that developed in the Ferguson Belt. The unsolved problem of refugee violence in the Ferguson Belt has now been transferred into the Rocktown Belt – a new location for the refugees. What makes the matter quite troubling to us is that, as was done in the Ferguson case, you relocated the refugee without the consent of the people in the Rocktown Belt. Consequently, the same level of violence (economic and physical) previously committed in the Ferguson Belt is visible in the Rocktown Belt.

Hon. Acting Supt., we are disappointed in your office’s campaign of silence along with other international partners who are responsible for the Ivorian refugees against our citizens. Hence, we are also deeply concerned. Our taxpaying, law-abiding and peaceful citizens living in both regions must be treated with respect and dignity.

The people of Rocktown have submitted numerous complaints to your office accounting the many violence actions being committed by refugees against them. As a sign of frustration, on August 12, 2011, the people of Rocktown peaceably marched in a peaceful protest demonstration on the Refugee Camp to make their case heard. A Position Statement was delivered to the Camp Master. In the Statement the peace-loving people of Rocktown registered their distaste for refugee violence against them. It registered that the rights of the people of Rocktown and Little Wlebo are being trampled and infringed upon. For disrespect to their natural endowments, sacred institutions and shrines is unacceptable. Therefore, it should discontinue effective immediately!

Hon. Acting Superintendent, we wish to report to you that LRRRC is not functioning properly in Maryland County. Its refusal to provide possibilities for the natives to survive is a prime example. All things being considered, the natives are closed to being internally displaced in their own homeland due to the irresponsible attitude of LRRRC staff in Maryland.

Therefore, we, members and officers of The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc., are seeking immediate action from your office to resolve the problem before a reaches crisis proportion.

It is our solemn belief, if nothing is done immediately to relieve our people, the violent situation within the Rocktown Belt will take the shape of irreversible crisis. Hence, we propose you convene an emergency meeting with the victims (Rocktown, Little Wlebo & people of the Ferguson Belt) along with LRRRC, UNHCR and all other stakeholders to find a lasting solution beneficial to the natives and refugees.

We look forward to your reply and to the fundamental resolution of this problem. We will wait ten days from the date of this letter before seeking further help beyond your office.

Please contact us by mail and/or cell phone as seen above. Be well and Peace! I am,

Sincerely,

Thomas G. Bedell/COPresident

CC: LRRRC

       UNHCR
       UNMIL Civil Affairs
       Ministry of Internal Affairs

Maryland: Too Many Candidates in the Race - A Recipe for Political Plume?

Well, nothing is wrong with multiparty democracy, except that it really matters who the practitioners are and their level of experience and maturity.

Multiparty democracy was the cry of politicians and advocates in the 70s. By 1980, the prayer was answered. And Liberia became a multiparty state instead of a one-party state. Without a doubt, The True Whig Party that led the country for closed to 100 years dissappeared from the face of the earth.

In the first election during the early days of multiparty democracy (1985), many things went wrong – too many parties registered. The total number of parties that registered confused the people (voters). Somehow, these parties had not yet developed any good sense of purpose. Because this was a new process. Seemingly, everyone was happy that the opportunity had presented itself for everyone, rich or poor, to get in the race that they have been denied” for quite so long. Sooner not later, it got worse. In 2005 there were closed to forty political parties with a population of 3 million people. Evidently, somebody wasn’t reading the new change correctly. From that time onward, the case worsens more and more as more political parties became to emerge.

In Maryland, during my day - early 70s, there were either one or two candidates. Somewhere in the race, there was an understanding between candidates that one would give in to the other candidate for the sake of progress and in the name of Maryland’s future development.

Immediately after the 1985 election, I packed my belongings and left the country to pursue and further my academic study. This took me to many countries before landing in the United States where I now reside prior to my coming to Liberia to be a part and eyewitness to what is unfolding. As such, I did not see the rest of the elections held in the country. Now that I am here, I promise to see every inch of the process and bear witness to the truth.

I choose Maryland County as my rock of gibralter to stand on and test the case.

October, 2011 is Presidential and Parliamentary elections. And Maryland is putting up so many candidates. If you asked me name them, I'm sure I will forget some of them. Because it is long line of candidates.

But let me give it a try:

Senatorial Aspirants

1. James Norman Anderson, II (commonly known as “Jimmy)

2. Amb. Horatio Dan Moriase (commonly to referred as “H. Dan”)

3. Mayson Goe (commonly referred to as “M. Goe”)

4. Abraham Jackson (commonly referred to as “AB Jackson”)

5. Anthony W. Bedell

6. Gloria Scott (incumbent)


Representatives Aspirants for Harper District

1. Helena N. Bedell

2. Rev. Joel Jackson

3. P. Mike Jury

4. George Prowd

5. Lee Newton

6. Wah Woart

7. Wahkla Neufville

8. Emmanuel Walker

9. James Biney (incumbent)

10. Globa Williams

Representative Aspirants for Pleebo/Sodokeh District

1. Dr. Bhofal Chambers (incumbent)

2. Eric Giko

3. George Nubo

4. G. Saytu

5. Yibie Brown

6. Ben Wilson

There is something special about some of these aspirants.

Jimmy is the only one running as an independent candidate. That means, he will spent his own money and not fall for anyone who wishes to control his platform and agenda. The rest of the candidates both senatorial and representatives fall under the watchful eye of a political party. Essentially, they will have to play to the rules of those parties.

George Prowd has been a very visible and outstanding member of the ruling Unity Party. From all indications, because of his relations to Gloria Scott (current Junior Senator of Maryland), everyone thought George would win the UP primary. But to our utmost surprise, Helena Bedell kicked George into the trash can of history. She beat him by 17 to 4 votes. Wide marging! George could not handle the defeat. He became disgruntled. He immediately ran out of the doors of the primary hall like a meteor. He ran to the National Democratic Coalition of Dew Mayson for refuge. Whether or not George will be respected due to his change of ships in the middle of the proverbial sea, will be determine in October during the elections.

Here is the Mayson Goe case:

Well, The Congress for Democratic Change of Amb. George Weah wasn’t actually established in Maryland. I know this because I am here. And so Mayson began to underwrite its establishment and operational budget prior to the primary. Mayson ran the activities of CDC for a protracted period of time with his pocket power. Suddenly it became evident Mayson is the “man” for CDC in Maryland. Everyone knew Mayson would be the senatorial candidate of CDC in Maryland. But things changed. We heard about rambling in Monrovia. Someone wanted to take Mason's seat. Soon we heard a primary was due in Harper City between Mayson Goe and Anthony Bedell. Well, Anthony Bedell is from Pleebo. So, if a primary was held in Harper, Goe would beat Anthony. Because Goe lives in Harper.

On Friday, August 12, 2011, the CDC primary was held in Harper. I am told Anthony Bedell did not show up. Whether in protest or not, we don't know. But he wasn't around. Understandably, Mayson got a “white Ballot.” The following day we heard something different – the primary won by Mayson was declared null and void by the CDC Party Executives in Monrovia. Why? Up to now, we don't know! We learn Amb. H. Dan Moraise will be the senatorial candidate of the CDC in Maryland. Evidently, Mayson is kicked on the proverbial curve. From what we are hearing, Mayson is looking out for another party to carry him as its senatorial candidate. Whether this was right or not tells us much about our participation in multiparty democracy and our honesty to our fellow countrymen and women during the political season.

There’s another case. It is the Abraham Jackson Case.

This man calls himself, “The David among the Goliaths.” He is a staunch member of the NUDP – Prince Johnson Party. A primary was called. He took part. And so was a lady from Pleebo. Understandably, the lady beat him during the primary. But Jackson wasn’t satisfied. So he filed a protest. What we are hearing now is that Jackson won the protest. So he is the senatorial candidate of NUPD in Maryland. Understandably, the lady failed because she is a staunch and registered member of the ruling Unity Party. She did not withdraw her membership in the Unity Party prior to going to the primary of NUDP. So A. B. Jackson is now relaxed to meet with the “giants” come October, 2011. In other words, he is the candidate for the NUDP for Maryland Senatorial post.

There’s the Numoweh and Kudemoweh Case:

The Numoweh & Kudemoweh are the only two chiefdoms in the Harper District. They have been at each other’s throats for a protracted period of time - conflict. There have been armed hostilities in the District between these two chiefdoms. It came in the shape of "Coldwar" - other towns proxy for them. This “Coldwar” continued on for more than two decades. Thanks to The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc. of which I am founder and copresident for helping to resolve the conflict between both chiefdoms. Prior to the crisis resolution, it was agreed that both chiefdoms would uphold the agreement that existed between their parents long ago. This year, the Numowehs enjoys the right to put forward the senatorial candidate. And the Kudemowehs will put up the representative candidate for the Harper district. It means that none of the chiefdoms will put up any candidate besides what is allotted to it.

Here is the problem:

The Numowehs put up Amb. H. Dan Moraise as their senatorial candidate. And the Kudemowehs put up Ms. Helena N. Bedell as their candidate for the office of representative for the Harper district. In essence, no other candidate should come forth from either chiefdom besides the chosen ones.

George Prowd is from the Numoweh chiefdom. To our surprise, he throws his hat in the race for the office of representative for the Harper district. As you will know, this is the slot that belongs to the Kudemowehs. By George running for the post allocated to the Kudemoweh people, he violates the age-old Agreement.

On the other side, Anthony Bedell is running for the office of senator for Maryland. He’s from the Kudemoweh side. And this slot is ONLY for the Numowehs. By Anthony seeking the post, he too, like George Prowd, violates the age-old Agreement.

Then we have the likes of Emmanuel Walker, Wahkla Neufville, Wah Woart. They all are from the Kudemoweh side. They went into a primary in Cavalla. In the primary, Helena Bedell beat them. She came out as the candidate for the Kudemoweh chiefdom. Now that these young men become disgruntled with the process in which they were an integral part. Today, they are ready and prepared to violate the Agreement by sticking their heads into the race against the chosen one – Helena Bedell.

Essentially, George Prowd, Wah Woart, Wahkla Neufville and Emmanuel Walker are all rebels in the strict sense. They refused to yield to the will of their people.

If James Biney, the incumbent wins, it will simply be because these young men made it so. Their participation will divide the votes. The balance of the votes, if "Simple Majority" stands, will go to James Biney. By so doing, Biney wins. And when that happens, Harper district and the Glebo people will be buried for another fourth term under Biney’s lack of leadership, desensitization and incompetency.

Who will you blame, Biney? Heck, no!

You can’t think Biney is popular! Because he's very upopular!

You will have to blame the four men (Walker, Woart, Neufville & Prowd). Because they refuse to listen to the voice of the people which is the voice of God!


I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia

Bhofal Chambers: The Man who took the Ruling Party by The Horn

Bhofal Chambers is been hailed by his people as a political giant who took the ruling Unity Party of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, by the horn.

Politicians from all the main parties including common citizens around the country are united to praise the man who shook the very foundation of the ruling Party.

An often bitter relationship with all the members of the Maryland Legislative Caucus of which Chambers is an integral part, was put to one side by his people as he led a wrestling match with the Cavalla Rubber Corporation which has monopolized rubber and oil palm business in Maryland County.

Bhofal is a political giant.

He is also, in every sense, the first politician to tackle a ruling party of which he was a part and parcel in the 21st century and maybe before then. By his humble background, and by the fact of his democratic election, he is vibrant.

As Representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district he is confronted by the enormous problems of Cavalla Rubber Corporation’s tremendous greed for the natural endowment of the people of Pleebo/Sodokeh district. If those problems eventually defeated him, he would have shown the fatigue in dealing with CRC and the Unity Party. For that, and much else besides, we are indebted to him.

Many Marylanders agree Bhofal is one of the political rocks of Gibraltar of the beginning of the 21st century. He may be the last progressive leader in Maryland emerging out of the 1980 coup d’état in Liberia. After he relinquishes power, he will always be remembered as representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh district that took multinational corporation by their throats on behalf of his people without being scathed. His achievements will also go far beyond that.

Bhofal is considered as a man of great integrity and beliefs, from which he never wavered. When history is written, he will be remembered as a political leader of great stature and significance.

There will be few of whom it can be said that they literally changed the course of history, but undoubtedly, where Pleebo/Sodokeh district is concerned, that can be said of Bhofal.

Bhofal is a man of conviction and enormous talent who towered above his critics. His convictions are lasting and never disposable. His experience in politics began long when he was a young lad in Bishop Ferguson High School where he left me as his junior.

History will give him a very high rating. He is a very great man; above all, he is an enormous patriot with an immense sense of patriotism.

Bhofal is passionate about getting rid of unemployment in Maryland.

If you have fought alongside men and women of different political views, you come to respect them and listen to what they have to say

I have been in the trenches of politics with Bhofal in our formative days.

I Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia

Liberia: Can The Opposition Present an Alternative and Right Past Wrongs?

I'm not really optimistic concerning the upcoming general election in Liberia given the events of previous elections (1985, 97 and 2005).

Opposition political parties proved incapable to present an alternative to the incumbent.

Cash destroyed the opposition since the birth of multiparty democracy in Liberia.

This time around during 2011 elections, it seems to me there will be no difference. Opposition will die on arrival.

See, I am on a working visit to Liberia as a volunteer. I work for no one but myself. My allegiance is to Cause which is Liberia and the people. As such, I am objective when it comes to events in Liberia shaping change.

From what I continue to see in the country, I think the activities of the opposition are not and will not be encouraging. Consequently, come the 2011 General Election, the opposition will become meaningless and useless for all intends and purposes. Because opposition attitude and mentality remain the same – sitting at each other’s necks for a single post they all cannot occupy at the same time.

In 1985 election, the opposition fell apart at the hinges. President Doe dished out huge sums of money. And when ruffle of the dollar hit the opposition’s conference room, they all disappeared one-at a time and landed into the hands of Dr. Doe.

The same became true in 1997. Charles Taylor turned the opposition upside down on its head with cash. Key members of the opposition betrayed the cause and joined Taylor bandwagon.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s case was not an exception to the rule. Opposition in 2005 cracked in the middle. And Ellen became victorious.

Many true progressives were shocked and angry to see the opposition falling on the same sword year-and-year again.

The demand to know why the opposition cannot grow guts to withstand the temptations resounds throughout the corridors of Liberia.

Today, we are now awaiting an official inquiry into the most serious breakdown of opposition. But who will provide it?

Liberia is still the most liberal country in the Africa. That’s my personal opinion!

This is why compared to elsewhere in the African region there has not been any attempt by many to arrest the situation of a weak opposition on excuse that everyone has the right to do whatever he or she wants in terms of power politics.

Many think that’s what freedom is all about – to make decisions even if those decisions are detrimental to the wellbeing of the state. Liberia, in this sense, is a completely in a different category compared to others. They say we are freer than the rest of Africa.

We are, of course, nonetheless affected by global and African socioeconomic and political issues.

In Liberia, internal quarrels continue to slow down reforms. Ongoing corruption drives the nation backward. But opposition politics is not making the issue better. Instead, it makes it rather difficult for the country to move forward into its inheritance.

Some opposition politicians point fingers to perceive “wrongdoers” in a particular government, especially the head of the government. But as soon as some members of the opposition are elected and/or appointed into office, they abuse their positions. They find themselves involved in corruption and nepotism. Thus, the system of justice becomes powerless to hold them to account - there is often no proper investigation that is possible.

Can the Liberian political opposition change this time around? There are reasons to doubt it!

Opposition against Doe (85), Taylor (97) and Sirleaf (2005) promised change to the Liberian people. But there are no enough signs that all the necessary reforms will take place when this opposition takes power. Because opposition mentality and attitude remain the same as in yesteryears.

This is why we must continue to protest against the attitude of the opposition!

We need an evolution - to give our people the rights and liberties to press change not just to hope to remove leaders that are perceived to be corrupt.

90 per cent of our people do not know who to trust to lead the country. Because, most, if not all, opposition members are as corrupt as the ones they try to chase out of power.

The problem in the country is not mostly with the leader, but rather the pace of change within the country and who to lead it.

I work as a volunteer in the country. I serve as a social justice advocate, social critic and peacemaker and builder. But while we express ourselves as much as we like, we're not being heard enough by the opposition to change its political attitude and behavior.

There are enough problems in Liberia for the opposition to pay attention to than to crowd up in an election process fighting over who becomes the “candidate.” We have poverty, illiteracy, and the slow rate of development tearing up our possibilities.

The Liberian people cannot take this any longer. If the people don't see any change, they will simply become angrier; they will lose faith in the political system and could become radicalized because nothing is happening for them.

What could be a big sign of hope for many Liberians is a new mentality to create a new Liberian person who will see himself not as a god to deliver the people. Such a new Liberian will not cramp up in splinter political parties with no sense of direction rather than hustling for himself.

If a new leader must be borne in October election through the Ballot Box, the opposition has to change its reckless attitude for power. It has to present an alternative to what it queries. Otherwise, it must make way for the incumbent to go on with leadership and complete her mission.

Coach Josiah Johnson once observed, “The most dangerous player on the field of play is not the one with the ball; the most dangerous player is the one without the ball.”

I am not entirely optimistic that the opposition can make any difference from what I see from it today on the ground. Because it is the “one” without the “ball.” Ellen is the “one” with the proverbial “ball.”

I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia.

Liberia: Can The Opposition Present an Alternative and Right Past Wrongs?

I'm not really optimistic concerning the upcoming general election in Liberia given the events of previous elections in 1985, 97 and 2005, when opposition political parties proved incapable to present an alternative to the incumbent.


Cash has always destroyed the opposition. And this has happened since the start of multiparty democracy in Liberia. This time around I don't know if there will any difference in the attitude and behaviour of the opposition. We'll know on or before October this year when elections are held. Looking at the current reality, it doesn't look good!


I am on a working visit to Liberia. From what I continue to see, I think the activities of the opposition are not and will not be encouraging. Come 2011 General Election in October the opposition will become meaningless. And that is because the attitude and mentality of the opposition still remains the same – sitting at each other’s necks for a single post they all know they cannot occupy at the same time.

The opposition's concept of politics and democracy is wacked. It violates a philosophical maxim or axiom familiar to every schoolboy that no two substances or beings can occupy the same place at the same time.

In 1985 election, the opposition fell apart at the hinges due to greed. President Doe dished out huge sums of money. When ruffle of the dollar hit the opposition’s conference room, the entire opposition disappeared into thin air one-at a time and landed into the hands of Dr. Doe. So Doe won a "landslide: victory.


The same became true in 1997. Charles Taylor turned the opposition upside down on its head with cash. Key members of the opposition suddenly betrayed the cause and joined Taylor bandwagon. In this instance, Taylor won with a widest margin ever in Liberian Presidential election.


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s case was not an exception to the rule. Opposition in 2005 cracked in the middle. Again, as was in the past, Ellen became victorious. She took her seat in the Executive Mansion while opposition cried foul.


Many true progressives were shocked and angry to see the opposition falling on its own sword over-and-over again; time-and-time again.


The demand to know why the opposition cannot grow enough guts to withstand the temptations from its incumbent continue to resound throughout the corridors of Liberia.


Today, we are now awaiting an official inquiry into the most serious breakdown of opposition in Liberia. But who will provide it?


Liberia is still the most liberal country in the Africa. And this is my personal opinion!


This is why compared to elsewhere in the African region there has not been any attempt by many to arrest the situation of a weak opposition on excuse that everyone has the right to do whatever he or she wants in terms of power politics.

Many think that’s what freedom is all about – to make decisions even if those decisions are detrimental to the wellbeing of the state.

Liberia, in this sense, is completely in a different category compared to others. They say Liberia is freer than the rest of Africa. Don't ask for my opinion on this!


We are, of course, nonetheless affected by global and African socioeconomic and political issues. And so, we cannot go unscathed when the globe turns upside down. Indicatively, opposition in Liberia has to grow up into thinking not just becoming an opposition is the way out. But a patriot will make the difference!

In Liberia, internal quarrels continue to slow down reforms. Ongoing corruption drives the nation backward. But opposition politics is not making the issue better. Instead, it makes it rather difficult for the country to move forward into its inheritance.

Some opposition politicians point fingers to perceive “wrongdoers” in a particular government, especially the head of the government. But as soon as some members of the opposition are elected and/or appointed into office, they abuse their positions. They find themselves involved in corruption and nepotism. Thus, the system of justice becomes powerless to hold them to account - there is often no proper investigation that is possible.

Can the Liberian political opposition change its attitude and mentality this time around? Only God knows!

Opposition against Doe (85), Taylor (97) and Sirleaf (2005) promised change to the Liberian people. But it failed! There are no enough signs that all the necessary reforms will take place when this opposition takes power. Simply put, its mentality and attitude remain the same as it was in yesteryears.

This is why we must continue to protest against the attitude of the opposition!

We need an evolution - to give our people the rights and liberties to press change not just to hope to remove leaders that are perceived to be corrupt.

90 per cent of our people do not know who to trust to lead the country. Most, if not all, opposition members are as corrupt as the ones they try to chase out of power.

The problem in the country is not mostly with the leader, but rather the pace of change within the country and who to lead it.

I work as a volunteer in the country. I serve as a social justice advocate, social critic and peacemaker and builder. But while we express ourselves as much as we like, we're not being heard enough by the opposition to change its political attitude and behavior.

The problems in Liberia for the opposition are more than enough. Fighting over who becomes the next President in a very small space is making the opposition useless!

We have poverty, illiteracy, and the slow rate of development tearing up our possibilities.

The Liberian people can no longer take this any more!

If the Liberian people don't see any change, they will simply become angrier; they will lose faith in the political system and could become radicalized because nothing is happening for them.

What could be a big sign of hope for many Liberians?A new mentality to create a new Liberian person. That person will see himself not as a god to deliver the people, but as a servant to help move the process of progress. Such a new Liberian will not cramp up in splinter political parties, as the opposition does, with no sense of direction rather than hustling for himself.

If a new leader must be borne in October election through the Ballot Box, the opposition has to change its reckless attitude for power. It has to present an alternative. Otherwise, it must make a way for the incumbent to go on with leadership and complete her mission.

Coach Josiah Johnson once observed, “The most dangerous player on the field of play is not the one with the ball but the one without the ball.”

Conclusively, I am not entirely optimistic that the opposition can make any difference come Election 2011 looking at what I see today on the ground.

Opposition in this case is the “one” without the “ball.” And Ellen who is seeking a second term is the “one” with the proverbial “ball.”

Where does that leave us? You tell me!


I am Thomas G. Bedell speaking and working on the ground in Liberia.