March 2, 2006

Monrovia, Liberia

I was in Liberia during the course of my work and had the opportunity to access the situation of the fledging but young democracy of Liberia.

As a country out of war and treading the slim path of democracy, Liberia is on the verge of changing its history. The growth of the country a few years from now depends largely on the input contributed by its stakeholders – political will and the conformance of the people to the arduous task of rebuilding a crumbled state in today’s 21^st century world. Indeed Liberia is left behind its counterparts in the West African region. “It is not even comparable to countries like Sierra Leone, who have themselves been recently out of war”, laments the speaker of the house, Mr. Edwin Snowe.

One thing that is certain for sure is the composition of the new democratic government. Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf has ensured that all parties are brought on deck to move the country forward including those of the past president Charles Taylor. Her cabinet of ministers are composed of persons including those in the opposition. She has extended several invitations to persons in order that they may participate in a government that is reconciliatory and yet proactive in bringing Liberia from the doldrums of despair and hopelessness.

The poor state of the country is indeed evident. Government offices, ministries and cabinets are housed in nearly dilapidated buildings once evident of their vibrance, prestige and glory but now in a state of shambles and degradation. Air conditioners in office building are non functional. Meetings are conducted at near mid-boiling point temperatures; power cables hang off ceilings and the walls are long overdue for a coat of paint. The adhoc power generating plant can no longer uphold the power requirement of The Capitol as all electronic devices are turned on at the same time – computers, air conditioners, refrigerators, light bulbs, etc demand power from an incapable source. Yet the people trudge along making no mention of their working environment but rather focusing squarely on the task at hand – rebuilding the country.

Very rarely do we see governments in West Africa pay little attention to aesthetics. Indeed the first activity of most governments coming into power is the laundry of their public image. All too often, the garbs and façade change to reflect the power they have now been called into. Little will matter if this façade change process is complete soon after their personality have been transformed. But on the contrary, it extends to the entourage, the vehicles and even to the “Airforce One” that will convey the CEO around the globe laundering more “positive impressions” about the seeming wealth of its home country; where as its citizens suffer abject poverty, low self esteem and a 101% contrast to this impression created by their administrators and public servants.

The work of rebuilding Liberia does not only rest with the governments. Arms are laid to rest by the citizens. Everyone seems tired of war and would do anything to make sure they do not go back to the same situation they have so tirelessly pulled themselves out of.

The civil society organizations are themselves working to ensure that that arm of the governed grows along the lines of democracy – such as it meets the standards for which civil society should usually engage with government. There are visible efforts and signs show the willingness to grow and become more engaging. However, the level of knowledge in the engagement process is a far cry from the usual. Capacity needs to be built in the civil society – the capacity to engage. Up until now, they have engaged in forms of advocacy critical and contrary to the movement for peace. Advocacy had taken the shape of violence and guns have replaced the word and activism in the fight for relevance amongst the governed. It will be a long time before the concept of negotiation without violence in entrenched – perhaps a generation or two. Otherwise a civil society grouping will emerge (and indeed exists) that are not intune with today’s democratic principles, do not comprehend the art of negotiating with governments and do not know the basics for presenting a viable and relevant searchlight to the needs of the people. A Liberian orange revolution may never happen but the willingness to impact on governance and the governance process may be well on course.