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The Friendly Dictatorship
Has Liberia become a de facto one-party state? This is the question on the minds of many intellectual Liberians.
I am afraid; it seems that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is adopting the “Mugabian” model of one-party state
system. What does this mean? Unfortunately, it means that our political and civil rights will soon come under
massive attack.
In reality, recent political developments speak for itself. For example, less than 35% turnout in our presidential run-
off, lack of credibility in the first round, deliberate crackdown on peaceful protestors, and the closure of three
independent radio stations signal that political power is becoming increasingly centralized in the hands of President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her team.
The fact is that anyone with interests in politics will already note that there are some shortcomings or faults in our
political system. Simply put low voter turnout in recent election (run-off) means that most Liberians have no trust in
the entire process. Therefore, present developments not only seem to be challenging the legitimacy of the Ellen’s
government, but are also questioning the possibilities of protecting our civil and political rights.
Even more than manipulating the election results, deliberate crackdown on peace loving Liberians and the closure
of three radio stations undermine the promises of Madam Sirleaf government. She promised peaceful protest and
freedom of press at all time. Paradoxically, she is becoming a friendly dictator who is willing to kill her own people in
order to protect her presidency. This is really scary!
With little or no progress in national reconciliation, where are we heading? There is no doubt we are heading
towards another dictatorial state. Do we deserve all of this after so many years of brutal civil war, and over five
years in building our new democracy? I am not going to answer this question. In addition, I am not going to tell you
whether I am an “Ellenian or Wistonia”. Pause and think about this…
Musa V. Sheriff
Vancouver, BC
Has Liberia become a de facto one-party state? This is the question on the minds of many intellectual Liberians.
I am afraid; it seems that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is adopting the “Mugabian” model of one-party state
system. What does this mean? Unfortunately, it means that our political and civil rights will soon come under
massive attack.
In reality, recent political developments speak for itself. For example, less than 35% turnout in our presidential run-
off, lack of credibility in the first round, deliberate crackdown on peaceful protestors, and the closure of three
independent radio stations signal that political power is becoming increasingly centralized in the hands of President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her team.
The fact is that anyone with interests in politics will already note that there are some shortcomings or faults in our
political system. Simply put low voter turnout in recent election (run-off) means that most Liberians have no trust in
the entire process. Therefore, present developments not only seem to be challenging the legitimacy of the Ellen’s
government, but are also questioning the possibilities of protecting our civil and political rights.
Even more than manipulating the election results, deliberate crackdown on peace loving Liberians and the closure
of three radio stations undermine the promises of Madam Sirleaf government. She promised peaceful protest and
freedom of press at all time. Paradoxically, she is becoming a friendly dictator who is willing to kill her own people in
order to protect her presidency. This is really scary!
With little or no progress in national reconciliation, where are we heading? There is no doubt we are heading
towards another dictatorial state. Do we deserve all of this after so many years of brutal civil war, and over five
years in building our new democracy? I am not going to answer this question. In addition, I am not going to tell you
whether I am an “Ellenian or Wistonia”. Pause and think about this…
Musa V. Sheriff
Vancouver, BC
