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.