Sir, I was excited when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appointed you as National Security Advisor. Since then, I have been your major defender against those who put up issues concerning your understanding of complex security matters. My support hinges on the fact that National Security encompasses all aspects of governance. It goes beyond the mere toting of weapons or the protection of borders.
More importantly, your understanding of the struggle for progressive change is indispensable to the agenda of President Boakai. You are a reservoir of knowledge regarding the factors that led to the execution of President William Tolbert; the execution of President Samuel Doe; the imprisonment of President Charles Taylor; and the recent defeat of President George Weah. You, more than anyone in the corridors of power, know the real reasons for the 1979 rice riot, the 1984 student demonstration led by the Student Unification Party (SUP), and the wave of protests in the last six years. It is needless to mention that your political skills and experience informed your appointment to that important office.
Brother Woods, many Liberians believe that it is too soon for the government to deal with certain critical issues. I, too, hold that view on most departments. For example, no one can reasonably expect the government to solve the problems of electricity and water in less than a year. No one should expect a resilient health sector, a viable educational system, or a complete economic recovery in one year.
These excuses are veritable and even the strongest opposition would concede. But, the LIMITED TIME EXCUSE does not apply to you and a few others in government. Early errors that undermine the peace and stability of the country may be irredeemable, even with corrective measures in the medium or long term.
Sir, it is in this direction that I respectfully proffer the following recommendations:
1. Take a second look at the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) that was signed in Ghana. That instrument brought peace to Liberia and advanced a pluralistic and inclusive government as the best approach to maintaining lasting peace. Please keep the CPA on the desk of the President.
2. Review the political identity of those you are appointing. If all appointees come from the RESCUE MISSION, then you are uniting the opposition to your detriment. The history of Liberia is replete with instances where people successfully resisted exclusion and marginalization. This is concerning.
3. If you cannot change the Assets Recovery Team, then change its MODUS OPERANDI. The Liberian Constitution has solid protection for life, liberty & property. The government cannot take away fundamental rights without procedural and substantive due process of law. This protection covers all citizens, including those we believe were involved in the patent perpetuation of thievery and mass looting. The Supreme Court has opined that no authority under the Legislative or Executive Branches should take the powers of the Judiciary – not one inch.
4. Kindly send the President a memorandum on the shifting of political loyalty. Let him know that some of those who supported him are no longer on his side, while some who opposed him now support his policies. The ability to see this movement/shifting in the political space is important for African leadership. Realignment.
5. Advise the leader to hold strategic meetings with stakeholders who were not part of the RESCUE MISSION. This will not stop the government from prosecuting anyone with corrupt records. This is important because most investors do not take their money where there is constant political tension.
6. Keep reminding the President to punish anyone who will be found in acts of public corruption. The closer the punishment, the stronger the deterrence.
7. Advise the President to dismiss government officials who will exhibit unexplained wealth. Liberians are poor. They hate governments with “rich officials”. This factor contributed to the downfall of Weah.
8. Advise the President to create jobs for 25,000 semi-skilled and unskilled young people. Others will get hopeful and refuse to be used by his detractors.
9. Limit the ambitions of the overzealous young comrades who may think it is their time to get rich at the expense of the public.
Brother Woods, you have the chance in history to go down with President Boakai or go up with him. I have no idea what you can do to go down. But to go up with President Boakai, you will have to elevate the difficult issues that other appointees may be afraid to talk about. You must make Joseph Nyuma Boakai the President for all Liberians regardless of political affiliation, tribe, religion, or social status. This is how you can distinguish yourself.
Amb. Rufus Neufville
Former Chief of Protocol
Republic of Liberia
