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Posted October 9, 2006
Post War Government And The Similitude Of Past Dictatorial Regimes
By Thomas Kai Toteh
Senior Staff Writer
tnyantk@yahoo.com
Some of the charges brought against the last two
regimes before the Unity Party-led government included tribalism,
preferential treatment, intolerance, and militarism. These vices, according
to the general consensus of Liberians were among conditions that led to the
civil war and its longevity.
After the war was fought for over a decade, do
Liberians expect to see the same things being repeated? Some Liberians would
say yes-because it takes time for these ills that were fought against to go
away. But others would argue that 14 years are enough to learn “our lesson”
and do away with anything that has the proclivity to remind us about these
vices.
I suppose most Liberians would argue that this
government is open to criticism as compared to past regimes. For this
reason, there is a possibility that changes will take place over a period of
time. But I disagree with this defense and proposition.
Tribalism, intolerance, and nepotism can not be bought,
but instead can be practiced. There should be no particular time to do away
with them-for these are values and ideas that are practiced by African
leaders or governments to perpetuate dictatorial rules.
The proliferation of news media including internet and
other electronic news outlets in Liberia and the Diaspora has not generated
any positive results in terms of the government paying heed to public
criticisms. There is no one repeal made to any of the things Liberians have
spoken against since the inception of the Unity Party-led government.
But let me leave that to make a quick note of the
following similarities that the present government has in common with the
last two dictatorial regimes.
There are three most important and strategic security
positions that are currently occupied by Liberians from the president’s
county. Defense Minister Brownie Samukai is from Grand Cape Mount County.
National Security Advisor Dr. H. Boimah Fanbulleh Jr. is from Grand Cape
Mount County. The Special Security Services Director Chris Massaquoi is from
Grand Cape Mount County.
Some Liberians would defend this on the premise that
the president has the right to appoint trusted people for her personal
security. Yes, I do agree, but then why we Liberians branded other regimes
that did similar things as nepotistic and tribalism?
The post war regime is also engaged in preferential
treatment in running the affairs of the country. The shooting incident that
took place in mid 2006 involving two of the SSS bosses were handled in a way
that only the deceased and his suspected murderer were the victims in the
incident.
Reports from the scene of the shooting incident pointed
to SSS Director Chris Massaquoi and his deputy as being the focus of the
circumstances that led to the shooting. Investigation also revealed that SSS
director’s body guard, Emmanuel Williams was killed by another SSS man, but
it is yet to be established as to on whose orders George Bleg shot and
killed Williams.
After what was considered a financial contribution to
the family of late Williams, but also considered by human rights advocates
and media analysts as a settlement from the chief executive, the case
gradually turned cold and the two SSS bosses are receiving preferential
treatment-a form of nepotism.
Intolerance is another vice that is creeping within the
Executive Branch of the Liberian government. The president herself has been
on-and-off with the media over reports, news contents, commentaries,
editorials, and other news related articles. Not only did the chief
executive frown on media for some alleged irregularities and or unethical
practices, she, on some occasions appeared infuriated to the extent of
threatening to limit her dealing with the media.
Some media analysts see the chief executive’s rigmarole
attitude with the Liberian press as an endeavor to turn the press into a
band of loyal journalists that only write to appease the her administration.
The national security advisor, H. Boimah Fanbulleh, Jr.
who has been a staunch opponent of past regimes’ intolerance of democratic
values has joined the campaign to shut Liberians up by threatening to punish
“reckless utterances.” H. Boimah Fanbulleh’s threat reminds me about the
days the late Samuel Doe voice vibrated on state radio, threatening
opposition members and journalists with punitive actions. Fanbulleh’s threat
did not only sound tyrannical, it demonstrated his power-drunk-by nullifying
the responsibility of the public relation officer or press secretary of the
National Security that is trained to deal with the pubic on controversial
issues.
Fanbulleh was reacting to public dissension and media
analysis on the alleged secret training of Unity Party’s loyalists in the
People’s Republic of China. Whether this is true or not, but where there is
smoke, there must be a fire. Liberians who have been following Fanbulleh’s
political activities would no doubt come to the conclusion that by virtue
of his position as advisor of Nation Security to the president, foreign
training of party loyalists can not be ruled out.
But bottom line-no matter how long it takes-as long as
Fanbulleh remains advisor of National Security to the president of Liberia
with the chief executive herself in a dire quest for trained loyalists,
Liberians are likely to revisit the past regimes of Charles Taylor and late
Samuel Doe.
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