EDITORIAL
WE SALUTE THE PEOPLE OF WAR RAVAGED LIBERIA, AS THEY ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT
TODAY
Octoger 11, 2005
Liberians are going to the polls today to elect a new President after 14
years of war. Over 20 Presidential aspirants are taking part in today's
race. We hope and pray that the verdict of the people will be respected at
the end of the day.

Liberians need peace now and we expect Presidential aspirants to respect
the wishes of the people. They should prevail on their supporters to keep
the peace in this historic moment. Anything beside keeping the peace will
be unacceptable to freedom loving people.

It is imperative to note that , over thousands of Liberian were killed,
maimed and displaced in the decade long civil war. All these atrocities
were perpetrated by power drunken war lords and politicians. Liberians
have indeed been denied peace over the years. Today's elections means a
lot for their lives.

The people of Liberia have been wronged by so called war lords such as
disgraced President Charles Taylor, Prince Johnson, Coneh, Kruma and late
President Samuel Doe. There was no justifications for such wars. It is our
contention that Charles Taylor should be extradited to Sierra Leone to
face the United Nations war crime tribunal. Nigeria should comply with the
global call for Taylor to be handed to the UN court, in the interest of
justice and fair play.

Atrocities linked to Taylor cannot go unpunished. We don't expect
democratic countries to grant save heaven to deadly people like Taylor.
Taylor's extradition will serve as a lesson to other African dictatorial
leaders such as Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh and Zimbabwean President
Robert Mugabe. These two Presidents have also caused untold sufferings to
their people. Nigeria should reconsider its decision and hand over Taylor.
This will no doubt bring peace in Liberia and the entire African
continent.

Refusing to turn over Taylor to the war crime court will certainly
encourage African dictators to further misrule the continent and her
people. It is time for Nigeria to respect the wishes of civilised nations
and stop harbouring a war criminal like Charles Taylor. Taylor was not
only linked to fuelling the civil conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia,
but he was also said to have hands in the guerrilla war in neighbouring
Guinea Conakry. His relationship with Guinea was not cordial at all.
Taylor was also accused of recruiting child soldiers, which is a crime
against humanity. These kids were drugged and given gun to kill and maim
citizens in Liberia and Sierra Leone respectively. How can such a person
be granted sanctuary by Nigeria?

As Liberians are voting today, Taylor is shamelessly monitoring
developments at his exiled residence in Lagos Nigeria. Taylor's hands are
stained with blood and should be brought to book in the interest of peace.
To maintain Liberia's fragile democracy, Taylor should be held accountable
for the atrocities linked to him and his government.

It is imperative to note also that there cannot be meaningful development,
in the absence of peace. Therefore, Nigeria should put this into
consideration and respond to the World's demand for Taylor to be handed to
the UN courts. We can comfortably say that Taylor is a threat to peace, in
view of his rebellion activities in the Sub-region. Such a person should
be taught a lesson to avoid tyranny and dictatorship in Africa.

Today's elections will bring a sign of relieve among Liberians residing
abroad. Some could not return home due to political uncertainties, while
others were compelled to leave the English speaking country due to
persecution they suffered under Taylor's brutal government. These
Liberians have good reasons to be home sick. Some have lost their parents,
sons, daughters, and wives in this decade long war. The few who have their
families back home, are eager to reunite with their loved ones, after
years of communication break down.

Liberia, a former American colony is today facing a democracy test.
Tuesday's elections are indeed crucial to Liberia's future. The country's
new President will have a big task ahead of him. Beside the reconstruction
program, there is also the need for National reconciliation. War lords who
wronged citizens should apologise for their past actions. Liberians should
learn to forgive and forget. There shouldn't be any witch hunting or
revenge.

We urge Liberians to be tolerant and be each others "brothers keeper" in
the emerging new Liberia. We expect political leaders, citizens alike to
uphold the basic tenets of democracy, rule of law, good governance and
human rights. We need a new Liberia with a flourishing democracy and
stability. We salute the people of Liberia for giving peace and democracy
a chance this time round. There shouldn't be any turning back. The watch
word for Liberians now should be "ballot and bullet." Give chance to
democracy and rule of law. Best wishes to the people of Liberia.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2004 AllGambian.Net. All Rights Reserved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤