Liberia: Cummings’ Loss: A Harbinger of Liberia’s Political Maturity
Cummings at ATS on October 1
The recent presidential elections in Liberia have unfolded a disheartening picture of the country's political landscape, characterized by a lack of maturity and a preference for recycled politicians. Exit polls and early returns from the election indicate a massive rejection of Alexander Cummings' "real change" message as he faces the possibility of a distant third or fourth-place finish, lagging behind front-runners Joseph Boakai of UP and George Weah of CDC.
Cummings, a former chief executive officer of Coca-Cola, entered the political arena with the promise of revolutionizing Liberia's governance and development strategy. His platform centered around combating corruption and promoting private-sector job creation. Despite his impressive credentials and ambitious plans, Cummings' message failed to resonate with the electorate, who instead showed a clear preference for the politicians who have been part of the system for years.
This outcome raises severe concerns about Liberia's political maturity. It suggests a society not yet ready to embrace change and new ideas, preferring to rely on familiar names and faces. The fact that the majority rejected Cummings' message of anti-corruption and private sector growth sends a troublesome signal about society's tolerance for corruption and its lack of faith in the private sector's potential to drive development.
Furthermore, the prominence of candidates with questionable reputations adds to the disappointment surrounding these election results. Instead of demanding accountability and integrity from their leaders, the Liberian electorate seemed to have chosen individuals the US government and others sanctioned with a history of corruption allegations. This picture highlights a lack of civic consciousness and a willingness to overlook past misconduct in pursuing short-term gains.
These lopsided results pose a challenging dilemma for Alexander Cummings. With such a significant rejection of his message and a seemingly low level of political maturity among the electorate, it begs the question: should he even consider attempting another presidential bid in six years?
On one hand, Cummings may feel compelled to give it another shot, hoping for a more receptive audience in the future. He may argue that his ideas and vision for Liberia are necessary for the country's progress and that perseverance is critical. However, the reality is that Cummings may face a similar fate in the future without substantial reforms in the political climate. It is disheartening to imagine a talented and qualified individual like Cummings repeatedly being passed over while recycled politicians occupy positions of power.
On the other hand, Cummings may choose to pursue alternative avenues for change. He could focus on grassroots initiatives, building from the ground up and working to cultivate a political culture that values competence, integrity, and fresh perspectives. By engaging with voters at the local level and investing in grassroots movements, Cummings can contribute to developing a more politically mature Liberia in the long run.
Ultimately, the lopsided results of the recent presidential elections in Liberia reflect a low level of political maturity within the country. The rejection of Alexander Cummings' message of "real change" in favor of recycled politicians and figures with questionable backgrounds is a cause for concern. While Cummings may have legitimate aspirations for Liberia's future, he should carefully consider the challenging political landscape before deciding whether to try again in six years. In the meantime, efforts to cultivate a more mature political culture through grassroots initiatives and civic education should be pursued to create the conditions precedent for actual change to take root in Liberia.
About the author: P. Ernest Parker, Jr. is a certified public accountant and a partner at Parker & Company, LLC in Monrovia, Liberia, and Ashburn, Virginia, United States. He holds an MBA/MS in general and strategic management from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. He is pursuing a doctorate at the Regent University School of Business and Leadership. He can be reached at zurrick@msn.com.