Monrovia – Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected feminine head of state, marked her 86th birthday with a strong message urging Liberia’s three branches of presidency to satisfy their roles with integrity, effectivity, and an unwavering dedication to the rule of regulation.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected], Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
Madam Sirleaf’s name to motion highlights the significance of legislative reforms, judicial independence, and government accountability, warning that point for significant change in Liberia is working out.
‘Make laws, not noise’
“It is time for our Legislature to make laws, not noise,” she said, underscoring her considerations over what she perceives as political distractions throughout the legislative physique. Sirleaf’s message appeared to critique lawmakers for focusing extra on rhetoric than on enacting insurance policies that handle Liberia’s urgent social and financial challenges.
Her assertion comes amid a divide within the House of Representatives over efforts to take away House Speaker Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa. Forty-three members, figuring out themselves because the ‘Majority Bloc,’ have signed a decision calling for Speaker Koffa’s elimination. Initially, 47 lawmakers supported the transfer, however 4 have since withdrawn their signatures, alleging bribery as the rationale.
The 43 anti-Koffa lawmakers have vacated the House’s major chamber and at the moment are holding their very own session within the Legislature’s Joint Chamber. Meanwhile, the remaining 30 pro-Koffa lawmakers proceed to satisfy within the House’s chamber however lack the quorum wanted to conduct official enterprise. In response, the pro-Koffa group has invoked the Liberian Constitution and House guidelines to compel the bulk lawmakers to attend.
The pro-Koffa group petitioned the Supreme Court, main Justice-in-Chamber Cllr. Yarmin Gbeisay to concern a prohibition on the Majority Bloc’s proceedings, pending a convention scheduled for Monday, November 4. However, the Majority Bloc has objected to Justice Gbeisay’s choice, arguing that he overstepped his bounds, because the judiciary can’t intervene in legislative issues. They have vowed to proceed holding their very own “session.”
Changing minds and attitudes. It is time for our Legislature to make legal guidelines, and never noise. It is time that our Judiciary get on with sure instances and dispense justice with out being compromised. It is time for the Executive to talk, however converse with the facility of exemplary habits. Some will ask, why this message now? It is as a result of time for us, time for Liberia is working out. Why am I doing this? It’s as a result of I’m a pacesetter and since I take care of the great of the nation. Silence makes us all culpable in improper doings.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia
Former President Sirleaf emphasised the significance of a legislative shift towards significant progress, warning that Liberia dangers dropping helpful time for progress if lawmakers fail to give attention to substantive points. He said that real legislative efforts are important to propel the nation ahead.
‘Time to dispense justice’
Beyond the Legislature, Sirleaf referred to as on the judiciary to behave independently and swiftly. “It is time that our Judiciary get on with certain cases and dispense justice without being compromised,” she mentioned. The former president’s feedback might resonate with Liberians involved about delays in high-profile corruption and human rights instances, which have generally solid a shadow over Liberia’s authorized system. In a rustic the place the judiciary has usually confronted allegations of corruption, observer says Sirleaf’s name for uncompromised justice provides urgency to the general public’s demand for accountability and transparency.
‘Speak with the power of exemplary behavior’
In her message, Madam Sirleaf additionally addressed the Executive department, urging leaders to embody integrity of their public lives. “It is time for the Executive to speak, but speak with the power of exemplary behavior,” she mentioned, hinting on the want for President Joseph Boakai and his administration to guide by instance in addressing the nation’s social and financial points. He name comes on the time the Boakai-Koung authorities is being riddled by allegation of corruption and ineptitude.
Sirleaf mirrored on why she selected to talk out presently, answering, “Some will ask, why this message now? It is because time for us, time for Liberia is running out.” Expressing a deep sense of accountability as a nationwide chief, she declared, “I am doing this because I am a leader and because I care for the good of the country.” The former president additionally highlighted the hazards of silence within the face of wrongdoing, including, “Silence makes us all culpable in wrongdoings.”
‘Time is running out’
Madam Sirleaf’s feedback come at a time when Liberia faces varied social and financial challenges, together with widespread poverty, a excessive unemployment charge, and public discontent over perceived authorities inaction on corruption and human rights abuses. Her phrases will doubtless stir debate throughout Liberia’s political panorama, with residents and leaders alike reflecting on her legacy and her name for moral governance.
Sirleaf, who served as Liberia’s president from 2006 to 2018, has continued to be an influential determine on the worldwide stage, advocating for democratic values, ladies’s rights, and African growth. Her 86th birthday message indicators her ongoing dedication to Liberia’s progress, echoing her perception that transformative management and accountability stay important to the nation’s future.
Advocating for Women in Politics
Former President Sirleaf continues to encourage and advocate for a strong democracy in Liberia, emphasizing the significance of principled management over private wealth in political roles.
Celebrating her birthday at her residence in Sinkor, Madam Sirleaf careworn the necessity for girls in Africa to be actively concerned in nationwide management as a pillar for real democracy.
In her remarks, the previous Liberian chief referenced ex- Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who, at age 79, peacefully transitioned energy, setting an instance she adopted throughout her personal presidency.
“That was what Africa stands for. You may come in, you may serve, and at some point, you can gracefully give it up, but giving it up doesn’t mean you can’t continue to serve,” Sirleaf said, underscoring the significance of moral management.
Madam Sirleaf when on to criticize leaders who prioritize private achieve over nationwide growth, noting that true leaders give attention to service to their folks.
She counseled African ladies for his or her efforts to advertise feminine participation in politics, asserting that her personal dedication to public service is a testomony that each lady can lead with dedication.
Despite stepping down from public workplace, former president Sirleaf expressed satisfaction in her accomplishments and inspired feminine leaders to proceed their very important work, saying plans for a Master-Class Foundation, aimed toward offering academic coaching for Liberians.
The celebration additionally marked the mushy launch of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center. Although its official groundbreaking is about for March 2025, the middle is already anticipated to function a hub for empowering ladies throughout Africa by selling management and facilitating expertise growth.
Over the previous 5 years, the imaginative and prescient for the middle has crystallized into actuality, having raised over $2 million in help for its initiatives, because of contributions from supporters in Nigeria and the United States.
Madam Sirleaf emphasised that the middle’s development will likely be supervised by 4 African ladies engineers, aligning with the mission of fostering feminine management.
Gracing the previous president’s birthday occasion, Vice President Jeremiah Ok. Koung praised Madam Sirleaf for her foundational function in establishing governance buildings in Liberia, noting that the nation is now considered as a mannequin of democracy in Africa.
The Liberian Vice President lauded her efforts to raise ladies’s voices and break male dominance in management.
Also, on the occasion was Former Nigerian President Obasanjo who echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the challenges ladies face in Africa and commending Sirleaf’s work in establishing the middle to empower ladies.
“There is an ardent need for the establishment of her center to champion the rights of women,” he asserted.
Additionally, Cameroon’s Ambassador to Liberia, Beng’yela A. Gang, described Sirleaf as a “beacon of hope” and a “Golden Lady,” recognizing her enduring affect in African management and her dedication to guiding ladies in Liberia and past.
As the celebration unfolded, the environment was full of gratitude and admiration for Sirleaf’s lifelong dedication to selling democracy and empowering ladies in politics, underscoring her legacy as a trailblazer in Liberia and throughout Africa.
