Liberia: No One Will Come

 

.... Where is the President of the Republic of Liberia in the wake of the violent attack against students at the University of Liberia? Does their tacit silence mean consent? Does it imply that these attacks were deserved? 

L. N. Khumalo (Guest Editorial)

Why would a lawmaker leave the Capital building and storm a university campus to engage in a stone-throwing competition that then turns bloody? 

What level of ineptitude would it take to conduct a violent attack in the presence of the international community, knowing the sacrifices that were made to get this country to where it is today? The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and even our ECOWAS and other African partners are all present here, watching in horror and disbelief at a country that has so quickly forgotten its most recent past.

One can only imagine the Embassy of Ghana fuming over this, considering how that neighboring country had to host thousands of Liberian refugees at Buduburam Refugee Camp, which is now closed. One can only imagine the disappointment Nigeria feels, given the sacrifices ECOMOG made here to secure Liberia's peace.

What kind of conversations are currently being held in the halls of power at international levels — the United Nations in particular, even the IMF and the World Bank — as much time and money as they spent here securing this nation's peace?

Where has Madam Clar Weah been since former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott’s residence was attacked and her daughter killed? Does the nation’s first lady really have nothing to say?

Where is the President of the Republic of Liberia in the wake of the violent attack against students at the University of Liberia? Does their tacit silence mean consent? Does it imply that these attacks were deserved? 

Food for thought: 

If we insist on beating the drums of war, clearly audible in this hour (and this has been coming for some time); if this country were to plunge into a bloodbath, NO ONE WILL COME HERE. 

NO ONE WILL COME TO OUR AID.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic, 175 years old to be exact. Nations far younger than we have surpassed us in every development index many times over. Do we really not care? Have we no shame? Have we really no shame?

Liberia should understand that this is not 1990. The entire international community has its hands full, resources stretched thin in regions where they are needed most. The war in Ukraine and the increase in natural disasters the world over are only two examples. The world will not be interested in self-induced conflicts. 

If anything happens here, the entire international community will depart, having borne witness to its deliberate unfolding, and to repeated refusals to take responsibility for our own destiny as a nation, their repeated calls for temperance having fallen on deaf ears.

The international community has done their best for us, and should be commended for that, to include our African partners. But Liberia is too old, and too well-endowed, to be breastfed anymore. 

Liberia should be duly advised that if ANYTHING were to happen here, NO ONE WILL COME.