LIBERIANS ...

PLEASE, NO MORE WAR TALK MY PEOPLE

Written by Bernard Gbayee Goah
President, Operation We Care for Liberia
The idea that the remedy to Liberias massive problems, is the used of
force as it has always been in the history of Liberia especially from
1980 to 2003, must be discredited. While force has been the factor of
change within Liberias political landscape, while there has not been
other workable formulas for change order than the used of force, such
idea must have no roots in the minds of contemporary Liberians both
at home and abroad. If Liberia must progress, there has to be a better
way forward other than war talk.
War talk must be trashed because it does not serve the greater good
of the people of Liberia and humanity. Liberians must abandon such
idea because there is a better way, a nonviolence approach that brings
durable solutions.
To whom this article may concern, please sit and reflect on the origin of
the many complexities that stood, and continue to stand in the way of
progress in Liberia. Do your research and find out what factors are
responsible for the destruction of this little country. If you have
forgotten, let me bring to your attention some general events that
might resonate with you.
A select group of Liberians at some point in time had some problems
with the head of the Liberian government (President Samuel K. Doe).
They decided a probable way to presenting their disagreement is to
wage an intensive rebel war against the government. To their desires,
they waged a brutal war that killed so many innocent people, most of
whom had no fish to fry in the political affairs of the country.
The war became uncontrollable, it targeted pregnant women and
children. As a result of what they thought was the right thing to do, the
country is still paying a horrible price today. Their actions created
monsters, and brought the entire country to its knees. And from the
time they initiated the destruction of their own country, it has not
recovered fully up to this day, not even while they sit at the zenith of
leadership. In fact, Liberia is today considered the second of the
worlds most horrible places to live on earth.
The war has since ended, and those who were ordinary foot
soldiers/fighters when the upraising started have nothing to show
today. All of them are now outside looking in while those who
sponsored the war and squandered Liberias resources still continue to
enrich themselves. If the above statement means anything to any of

you reading this article, consider it a lesson. If it means anything to

those who are contemplating on starting another upraising in Liberia, I
ask them to abandon such plans.
Like those who used the barrel of the gun to gain political relevance
and power, if you are out there, and still think the only solution to
solving Liberias problems is war, chances are, your calculations are
done by reasons of insanity, because contrary to your idea is best for
the people of Liberia.
War talk formulas have been used for so long, and the results have
always been the same. Displacement of citizens, psychological issues
associated with trauma and depression, economic hardships,
lawlessness, impunity, corruption, nepotism, dictatorial leaderships just
to name a few have categorized every war talk formula. One of the
known results of such formula is the visibility of immerse demand and
burden on the countrys infrastructure.
When a war starts, it does not stop as quickly as one would think. Even
when the guns are silent, critical times very hard to deal with will
continue to arrive. During and post war, citizens who fled their country
and became refugees are usually faced with the war of hunger. Self
worth is diminished, and low self-esteem steps in, thereby exposing
them to dehumanization.
After living in foreign land for years as refugees, cultural traditions, and
professions, are all lost. Ceteris paribus, because generally refugees
are used to handouts from humanitarian organizations such as the
United Nations Organization, when most of them return home after the
war, skills are forgotten, and they become liability to society, and so
are children born unto them in exile. They usually dont know who they
are anymore, and what their original traditional beliefs were. And,
because they now believe in nothing, they vulnerably fall for
anything to include war talk.
After war, unlike the acquainted; extreme form of social, political and
economic issues will emerge.
Even while those who brought war upon the people of Liberia, as well
as those who thought they had all the answers to Liberias problems
are elected to political positions, they most often see government as
their personal property; as such government becomes factionalized
and tribal centered. That is the kind of government that obeys no law,
and believes in no systems. That is a war talk government.
Pre- and post 2003, those who ascended to political offices by means
of war, or were for some reasons elected in post war time to run the

affairs of the people of Liberia are the worse leaders this country has
every produced today. Their leadership style is bent on making
themselves rich.
In fact they continued to be in cohort with the Lebanese, the Indians,
and the Chinese only to make foreigners middle class residents, while
the rest of the population of Liberia have nothing to live for. When
warlords initiated hostilities in Liberia, most Liberians thought they
knew what they were doing, and that the end results would be in the
interest of the people. Well, they were horribly wrong!
I am an advocate for justice but I have also unwantedly lived in
Monrovia (the capital city of Liberia) against my will when the place
was a complete hell fire. I have the experience of living in volatile and
unpredictable environments such as Liberia and elsewhere. I know how
long it took for hostility in Liberia to subside. In most parts, I was on
the ground. That is why I know that ending any military upraising is
usually very difficult compared to stating one. This is true especially if
said upraising is a rebel oriented one. Once fighting begins, plans are
set in motion and attitudes toward the perceived enemy become fixed
in ways that are not easily reversible. Even if opponents agree to
negotiate, they still face the risks and uncertainties of cooperation.
That was what happened during the war in Liberia.
Today in post war Liberia, while parties to the conflict have agreed to
work together, their wartime command structures are still in place.
Even though disarmaments have since happened, and warlords no
longer control arm groups, they still have tremendous influence over
their foot soldiers. There is now a war of the what ifs, and a war of
the uncertainty of peace. Everyone is now watching everyone
The disgusting part of the entire scenario is the lack of the obligation
or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions
that exists amongst those who brought Liberia to it knees. They are
now telling the rest of us that they can solve Liberias problems. The
very problems they created in the first place. But we know that is not
possible without they holding themselves accountable. And that is
Liberias greatest nightmare right now!
Also, the same formula they use to destroy Liberia is the same formula
they continue to use to run the country. What they dont understand is:
The outcome will always be the same until the formula is changed for
the betterment of every Liberian.
Now that you know all of this, I ask you who are contemplating of
starting another war against the people of Liberia to forsake your
harmful thoughts, and be civil in solving your problems. Seek a

nonviolence means for the sake of humanity! For what good will it do
you if a man slaps your face and you in turn slap his face? What will
be the difference between you and him? Arent the both of you the
same?