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Posted July 11, 2006
Speaker Snowe Taking Government And People By The Horn
A common saying goes, “Little by little fills a
cup-Every little thing counts.” Liberia’s most controversial political
figure and law maker, Edwin Melvin Snowe, is using some of Charles Taylor
tactics to pull the whole nation and the incumbent government by the horn.
He is perhaps the most controversial political figure
and law maker in Liberia today. His election was marked by alleged votes
purchase. His ascendancy to the Speaker position sparked off concerns among
the Liberian people about the reputation of the Honorable House of
Representatives.
Even some of his constituents expressed regrets at his
election as post war Liberia’s House Speaker.
Sources at the Capitol disclosed that the ex-dictator
Charles Taylor’s son-in-law and one time chairman of the Liberia’s football
Association (LFA) and Liberian Petroleum Refinery Company absolute boss used
cell phones and cash to bribe some members of the House of Representatives
to become House speaker.
Honorable Snowe, before his election as representative
and House Speaker, was placed on UN travel ban.
UN Security Council resolution 1551 bans individuals
providing financial and military support to armed rebel groups in countries
neighboring to Liberia, and who remain threats to the peace process in
Liberia from traveling.
Edwin Snowe, whose appearance in House Chamber
sometimes looks like a member of the Mason Fraternity Organization, is a
sophomore student at the University of Liberia. His transfer credentials
were challenged by some members of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU).
But the controversy over his academic records has been put to rest.
House Speaker Edwin Snowe’s letter to the Taiwanese
diplomat in the Gambia in an effort to reestablish diplomatic relations
between the two countries is not only a secret adventure, but it also
brings the question to bear as to who decides Liberia’s policy governing
international relations.
According to a secret letter which was circulated among
the Liberian media, Speaker Snowe made the impression to the Taiwanese
ambassador by stating that the Liberian legislature, through his office
would pass legislations aimed at reestablishing or strengthening the cordial
relationship between Liberia and Taiwan.
The speaker did not stop there, but also began
initiating discussions with Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Ambrose
Gbormie and Bong County Representative George Mulbah.
Speaker Snowe’s latest attempt to draw the Assistant
Foreign Affairs Minister and Representative George Mulbah to the discussion
table of the matter, no doubt places him at the chief executive position.
According to Article 57 of the Liberian constitution:
The president shall have the power to conduct the foreign affairs of the
Republic of Liberia and in that connection she/he is empowered to conclude
treaties, conventions and similar international agreements with concurrence
of a majority of each House of the Legislature.
Speaker Snowe’s secret letter saga creates mixed
feelings among Liberians and his constituents. Some Liberians are wondering
as to whether he understands the Constitution of Liberia and the duties of
his office. Some Liberians believe the Speaker is acting out of ignorance
while others think his mind might have been clouded by greed and
self-aggrandizement.
But Speaker Snowe knows what he is doing. He is
carrying out instructions of his god father and father-in-law, ousted and
detained Charles Taylor.
Speaker Snowe is now begging members of the house to
pardon him for his violation of Article 57 of the Liberian Constitution
which he is under oath to uphold. Rep. Edwin Snowe is once again receiving
an overwhelming support from House members-he won 95 percent of their
support to pardon him.
Speaker Snowe, whether his travel ban is lifted or not,
is capable of plunging Liberia into chaos if Liberians fail to mandate the
House of Representative for tougher actions against sneaky government
officials.
Writes, Thomas Kai Toteh
tnyantk@yahoo.com
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