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Posted August 14, 2006
SSS public squabbling in Liberia sets a dangerous precedent
At a time when Liberians are trying to gain
trust in their security forces, be it the SSS –equivalent to the US secret
service-, the Liberian police, the army, and their government, and return to
some form of normalcy after fifteen years of death and destruction, there
are certain individuals displaying behaviors that could be labeled as a
threat to our fragile peace and stability. Recent news of a very public
infighting within the presidential security forces is disgraceful, selfish,
immature, and sets a very dangerous precedent for future presidential
security forces, and other individuals within the security apparatus.
Whatever is fueling this internal power struggle - Liberian news papers are
reporting that it is a girlfriend issue - must be decisively dealt with,
even if it means firing both the director and deputy director, allowing them
to work out their differences on their own time, and at their own expense
without jeopardizing the security of our president and the nation.
The recent security "malfunction" that have occurred,
from the July 26th fire in the Mansion to the death of Director
Massaquoi's body guard, and the administration lack of assurance to the
Liberian people have left many Liberians jittery and uncertain of the
capabilities, professionalism and loyalty of our security forces. Reports
are circulating on Liberian news sites alleging that the so called "beef"
between Massaquio and Peal is about a female. Regardless of whether this
fueling is about a girlfriend or not, the behavior of the SSS, especially
its leadership is unacceptable and immature. For me personally, I am of the
mind-set that this is more than just a girlfriend "Beef", and if not dealt
with swiftly, it could have wider security implications. Any
Liberian/African, who follows political issues in Africa, is aware that
security forces have always played a major role in coups and conflicts on
the continent. It is sad and shameful to know that men who have been
appointed to unselfishly protect the president of the republic of Liberia in
an unstable security environment are themselves needing protection. This
is a dishonorable display of the selfishness that plagues many of us
Liberians/Africans.
In his 1985 article "Military Coups in Africa…," Major
Jimmi Wangone of the Kenya Army wrote that "Coups have been linked directly
or indirectly with personal ambitions and the craving for power by some
specific key players. Coupled with this, interpersonal clashes have occurred
between the civilian and military elites and thereby provoking takeovers.
Cases in point have been Uganda in 1971, Togo in 1963, Congo in 1968,
Dahomey in 1967, and several others". In the same article, Mr. Wangone also
writes that, "Political squabbling, whereby the civilian leaders have been
unable to resolve their differences in the interest of the nation, has led
to military Coups. Internal political problems within the ruling elite has
had the out- ward effect of leading the masses into disappointment,
disillusion and loss of faith in the government".
As recent as August 2005, Mauritanian troops led by
presidential guard members, not only took over the armed forces
headquarters, they also took over state radio and television buildings in
the capital Nouakchott in a coup d'etat. I am not trying to be an alarmist,
and this certainly is not the intention of this article; however,
considering the fragile security environment in Liberia, the proliferation
of illegal weapons in the hands of former fighters, and the legacy of unrest
in Africa lead by security personnel, it forces me and other concerned
Liberians not to take lightly recent lapses in security that have endanger
the lives of not only our president, but those of two other African heads of
states.
We are not asking the administration to
take draconian actions against Peal and Massaquoi, what we asking is for the
administration to take control of this Peal Massaquoi situation, so that the
Liberian public can feel that their president isn't taking this issue
lightly, and can feel secure in knowing that this matter is nothing more
than what we have been hearing, a "girlfriend" issue. Let us remember that
a life was lost here, and whenever a life is lost under the leadership of
our nation's leaders, it is imperative that either a rational explanation be
given, and the culprits put on some sort of administrative leave until a
complete investigation has being conducted. Similar to representative
Snowe's blunder a few weeks again, once again, the administration was slow
in reacting to the Peal Massaquio issue, or completely silent. Madam
President, let's not allow loyalty to cloud judgment. After 15 years of
instability and insecurity, the Liberian people are tired, and this time
around, we will not allow any person or persons to push us into anymore
suffering and turmoil.
Writes,
Nyankor Matthew
nyankorm@gmail.com
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