Civic Education, Episode Two: The Liberian Popular Revolution and How to Pursue a Vote of No Confidence against President Sirleaf s Government

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Civic Education, Episode Two: The Liberian Popular Revolution and How to Pursue a Vote of No Confidence against President Sirleaf s Government Introduction Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh

1 Civic Education, Episode Two: The Liberian Popular Revolution and How to Pursue a Vote of No Confidence against President Sirleaf s Government Introduction Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed.D. Exiled Liberian Playwright & Poet (Author) I bring you revolutionary greetings to all of you my beloved brothers and sisters of Liberia and friends of Liberia, as well as members of the international community. I salute you in the name of the Liberian Popular Revolution and commend all of you for 1

2 the peaceful and democratic manner in which we are gradually achieving sustainable peace in Liberia. Dr. Gbaba Advocates for national peace and reconciliation through rule of law and he engages Liberian law makers to perform their constitutional and sacred duty as law makers of Liberia. I want to thank all Liberians on the ground who finally decided to speak up for their inalienable rights as citizens of Liberia and to run their own destiny. I find it very gratifying, and I urge all Liberians to press evermore forward in making sure peace, democracy, meaning: rule by the people, for the people, and of the people, is fully achieved in Liberia. In this light, I further urge all Liberians, friends of Liberia and members of the international community to join the Liberian people in helping the Liberian Popular Revolution to succeed forthwith! Here, the Liberian Popular Revolution means the genuine efforts of all patriotic Liberians who want to see their Native Land return to normal through peaceful democratic means, so that the people of Liberia can be 2

3 forerunners of their own destiny. This is the most noble thing to do and I thank you from the depths of my heart for being very responsive to the national clarion call for all stalwart and valiant sons and daughters of Liberia to come to the rescue of Liberia and all Liberians, as well as to hold the fort throughout eternity! Liberians Once Again Look Up to Their Law Makers to Perform Their Sacred Duty as Law Makers! The photo above is the Liberian National Legislature compound in Monrovia, Liberia. Liberian law makers must contribute their quota toward the sustenance of durable peace by exercising their sacred duty as law makers! Due to the emergency situation in Liberia today, it is indeed incumbent upon Liberian law makers to stand up to the task of nation building. It is their responsibility to put aside factional allegiance and to seek the greater interest of the State and electorates who voted them into office. Hence, once again, Liberians look up to their law makers to perform their sacred duty as law makers! For, it is their responsibility to ensure peace and security prevail in our war ravished country for all Liberians by exercising their legislative mandate. In this case, Liberians have once again reached the junction at which the ball is in the court of Liberian legislators, in terms of determining whether or not the Sirleaf Government, given all of the rejection it has widely received from all cross sectors of Liberia, enjoys the confidence of the Liberian people as their legitimate government. The first time the Liberian National Legislature boo-booed was when the TRC recommendations were submitted for ratification. Liberian law makers sat on the document that had a road map 3

to sustainable peace in post war Liberia. Thus, this put us back into a sink hole where our future, national peace and security remain uncertain to this day.

4 to sustainable peace in post war Liberia. Thus, this put us back into a sink hole where our future, national peace and security remain uncertain to this day. Sireleaf Government No Longer Enjoys the Confidence of the Liberian People! Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf no longer enjoys the confidence of the vast majority of Liberians. It is time for her to peacefully and honorably resign. Well, as things stand, it does not appear the Sirleaf Government fully enjoys the confidence of the Liberian people. My assertion is based on recent findings and events that shocked the international community regarding their myth that Mrs. Sirleaf was well liked by her people. For instance, there was a deliberate attempt by the National Elections Commission (NEC) to forge a referendum that would have legitimized the participation of Liberian warlords and economic criminals in the just ended special elections so as to declare that the election was general in nature; but that plot failed because the Liberian people know their constitutional rights these days! As a consequence of this fiasco, the NEC still went ahead in violation of the mandate of the Liberian people to allow Liberian warlords to participate in the election. They also changed the electoral process from general to special to please Liberian warlords and organizers of the Nobel Peace Prize; even though it was crystal clear Liberians no longer trusted Mrs. Sirleaf and her cohorts. Opposition Political Parties Should Not Make Bay or Vono ; Instead, They Should Petition Liberian Law Makers to Pass a Vote of No Confidence against the Sirleaf Government forthwith! In view of the foregoing, opposition political parties should not make what Liberians call bay or vono! Instead, they should petition Liberian law makers to pass a vote of no confidence against the Sirleaf Government and subsequently request her to resign. For, it is required by law for opposition parties to petition their law makers to file a vote of no confidence against the Sirleaf Government and to subsequently request her resignation because Mrs. Sirleaf s has failed to provide the Liberian people basic services and to firmly establish the rule of law during her first tem of office. In addition, the Sirleaf Government has remained aloof to the plight of Liberian refugees across the globe and it has done nothing to repatriate those who would like to return to their Native Land. Furthermore, Mrs. Sirleaf has insulted the Liberian people by employing a Nigerian as 4

5 Army Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia without the National Legislature citing her for contempt and breach of our sacred Constitution of Liberia. In this episode, I want to give you an additional version of my poem The Liberian Popular Revolution and then I will define what is meant by vote of no confidence. The Liberian Popular Revolution, II Today marks a new day In the history Of the Liberian Popular Revolution! Here, change is taking place As peacefully as possible As the people of Liberia Peacefully request a regime change Thus, the voice of God is the voice of the people! Hence, what God has ordained Let no man put asunder For, God sanctions His blessed ones That they may share The Good News of our Lord The Prince of Peace! And e en though There be some hurdles In the people s way Almighty God Jehovah Jah Will open the way For his little ones And the Liberian Popular Revolution Will succeeded Because If God be for us Who can be against us! The Lord is our Rock Our Refuge Our very present help In time of trouble In Him we find plenty rest and peace! An e en though There be some obstacles 5

6 In the people s way The Lord God The Almighty Allah Will see his children through! That is why When the world fails you When the warlords fail you And your own brothers and sisters Fail you There is one Lord and Savior That never fails you And his name is Jesus Christ! Jesus is the Lily of the Valley The Bright and Early Morning Star! And He it is that guides The Liberian Popular Revolution So that freedom and justice can flow From shore to shore in Liberia And from the meanders Of our Native Rivers Dlugbor, Nee-Bowen, and Doo-boo-gboon! My fellow countrymen and women Let not your hearts be troubled For God is in control And sooner or later He shall make our enemies our footstool! Therefore let the beauty of Lord forevermore shine And let our nationalistic zeal flow Let there be peace and justice in our land And let us respect the rule of law And the Constitution of Liberia Hence, no more shall Liberians promote Rebel activities in their lives And in their history For the best thing That all children of God Can do for the Father Is to remain united In their thoughts and efforts To free themselves From the yoke of Neo-slavery! 6

A Vote of No Confidence Fellow Liberians, let us think before we act; let us measure the ultimate good that we will derive from speaking with one accord in the best interest of our country, than to

7 A Vote of No Confidence Fellow Liberians, let us think before we act; let us measure the ultimate good that we will derive from speaking with one accord in the best interest of our country, than to allow ourselves to be factionalized and used as too-toos by enemies of Liberia and the Black Race! Remember the decision we make today will go a long way to help rebuild our lives and our country and consequently secure a bright future for our children and posterity. Therefore, I pray that you let reason prevail and let us bring human carnage and mayhem to a close in Liberia. According to the Webster Dictionary, a vote of no confidence is also called a motion of no confidence, a censure motion, a no confidence motion, or a confidence motion. According to Westminster parliamentary procedure, governments often respond to a vote of no confidence by calling for a confidence motion. Parliament passes or rejects the vote. Typically, when a vote of no confidence passes parliament, the government official must either resign or seek a parliamentary dissolution or general election. In the present case of Liberia, it is not likely that Liberians can dissolve their National Legislature and hold general elections with Liberian warlords hijacking the democratic process and with impunity from the international community. Because in order for a general election to be held in Liberia at this time, the Constitution of Liberia must be in full force, and here full force means no portions of the Constitution shall be suspended to accommodate Liberian warlords and economic criminals as was done in the 7

8 recently held special elections. However, I believe it is possible for a combined opposition force to petition the National Legislature to pass a vote of no confidence against the Sirleaf Government and subsequently request her forthwith resignation due to the incompetence of the Sirleaf Government to deliver goods and services to the Liberian people over the past six years! Conclusion In view of the foregoing, Liberian opposition parties and their supporters should not hesitate to pressurize their law makers to introduce a bill of no confidence against the Sirleaf Government for rampant corruption and incompetence and failure to deliver appropriate goods and services to struggling war ravished Liberian citizens at home and abroad. Remember, a vote of no confidence is the right and peaceful way and next level to take in the wake of impunity from the international community regarding the suffering of the Liberian people. Remember, a house that is divided cannot stand; but a family that prays together sticks together. Therefore, let us pray and stick together! Assistant Professor & Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D. In the Cause of the People, the Struggle Continues! November 10, 2011 United States of America 8

Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D. Exiled Liberian Playwright & Artist/Scholar

Dr. Gbaba s July 26 Day Message to All Liberians: Liberians Are Tired of Being Held Hostage by Liberian Warlords and Want a Legal Way Out! What Do You Think? Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba,