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Unraveling
the sycophantic and hypocritical nature of the so-called “National
Mandingo Caucus of Liberia ”, and the danger it poses to the political
and social survival of the Mandingo ethnic group in present day Liberia
: By: Jesefu Morris Keita, Jr. June 30, 2009  History
is replete with numerous instances of situations in which a narrowly
defined group or clique always desire to gain worldly riches and power
at the expense of the majority by hijacking and at length torpedoing
their genuine struggle for political and social liberation from the
shackles of marginalization, political suppression and denial to equal
opportunities. This is the sad state of affairs in which the Mandingoes
of Liberia find themselves with the “National Mandingoes Caucus” serving
as the elite who have now sworn to both heaven and earth that it must
exploit its own people for innately selfish reasons.
The struggle for positive and progressive change can take different dimensions in terms of purpose, intent and cause. For the Mandingoes in Liberia , the battle has been directed at ensuring that the age old issue of political suppression and marginalization is adequately addressed. In addition, the perennial denial from fellow compatriots as it relates to the altruistic acceptance of the average Mandingo as a constituent element of the Liberian population and indigenous mosaic as revealed by all authentic Liberian historical sources is a serious challenge that is yet to be overcome.
Socially, the quest and challenge
for the Mandingo ethnic group has been to seek means through which other
Liberians will come to understand and appreciate the fact that despite
certain traditional and customary differences, we are actually the same
people; brothers and sisters made into different tribes and groups to
show case God’s beautification. Perhaps, the social scientist would say
different stairs of the same social ladder, and as such emphasis and
concentration ought to be laid at the feet of those similarities that
bind us together than the differences that further disintegrate us and
negatively highlight our imperfections. The holding of serious consultative meetings, seminars and even symposia to seek answers to the many burning issues and mind boggling questions confronting the Mandingo ethnic group in Liberia are of no concern to this Caucus. Moreover, even the urgent need to built consensus amongst members of this very ethnic group who hailed from different counties in Liberia has not caught the attention of this group. These, in my mind are matters that require urgent and immediate resolution if the Mandingoes of Liberia are to make any progress in their quest to be a true and sincere component of this society; deserving respect and equal opportunities like any other ethnic group in Liberia . That some members of our community having not learned from the past, will still be in the business of organizing themselves into usable units for the sole purpose of seeking favour from the Presidency hypocritically on behalf of the rest of us ,is quite unfortunate and should not be encouraged and supported by well meaning Liberian Mandingoes. For those who do not know, let me state for the records that the Mandingo tribe despite the extreme hatred, danger and tribulation that it has received and continue to receive from some quarters of the Liberian society, is a proud and noble group that needs no one sympathy or political largesse in order to survive. Favours are like flowers that can wither away once the season ends, but rights and I mean inalienable rights are God-given and so everlasting….this is what Liberian Mandingoes like every other group of Liberians should fight for through intellectual, academic, professional and other rightful means. All we ask for is meritocracy, equal opportunity, and fair treatment. We do not seek special favours from this Government. For with favours come strings of reciprocity which at times can be detrimental to the growth and development of the favoured. Hence, those who want special favour and treatment must do so using their own name and integrity not others’, and leave our tribe out of this favour-seeking process. Let me quickly dispel the notion that the Caucus’ support for the ruling Unity Party and President Sirleaf is the crux of our concern. We think it is the right of any group of Liberians irrespective of ethnic, religious and social differences to organize and join any political entity of their choice or support any politician that they as a group may have faith in. What we have problem with is the devilish attempt by few individuals to use the name of the rest of us for their selfish interest; while at the same time pretending to have the capacity to address the many cross cutting-issues confronting our community which is in dire need of putting itself in order so that its real potential can be realized for the good of our country and its people. On the contrary, here we have individuals driven only by the desire to make money, making pretense at being advocates and revolutionaries for Liberian Mandingoes and I think this is quite hilarious and is going to have a salutary effect only on buffoons and nonentities who do not understand the forces at play.
What if the National Mandingo
Caucus is a political hazard laden with consequential bombs waiting to
explode? Hence, unlike in the west, where the action of one man would not necessary constitute the action of all men that belongs to his tribe, color, religion, etc., this is the case in Africa and as such one must view tribal politicking in all forms and manners as a risk that is not worth taking, no matter the inducement. With these occurrences in mind and the supra analysis, I am wondering as to what on earth were the executives of the Caucus thinking when they unilaterally committed an entire tribe to a single political party in the general and presidential elections when there were twenty-two political parties? Without even seeking the consent of the Mandingo people, these guys went ahead to do what they thought was in their best interest as a means of escaping poverty and remaking themselves. It is against this background that we point to the missing link in the thought processes of the leadership of the Mandingo Caucus as well as the amplification of their narrow and selfish interest to mortgage the Mandingo people and their struggle to the power of the day. We must state emphatically and categorically for the record that the so-called Mandingo Caucus or whatsoever they called themselves should have a rethink and desist from the path they have chosen. One does not have to use the name of our ethnic group in order to procure a petroleum contract from the Government of Liberia. All one has to do, is to go through the normal competitive bidding process established by the PPCC and other institutions responsible for fair play, accountability and competition in our burgeoning economy. In the same vein, one does not have to be a member of the ruling Unity Party or belong to a particular tribe in order to be treated equally as a Liberian under our laws when it comes to appointment. It would rather be more appreciating and rewarding if these guys will call themselves “The Petrol Boys Club”, than the National Mandingo Caucus. Let these political and economic gravy seekers beware that as far as a sizeable segment of our community is concerned, they are representing themselves and their respective parochial interest and not Mandingoes of Liberia. In fact, the elitism which this group proudly espouses, has no place in Mandingo culture and is quite alien to our way of life. The Mandingo Caucus will be exposed for what it is, as the reason for its existence are not genuine and mass-based, but a political and economic wagon intended to serve the political and economic interest of Mr. Musa Bility, Siaka Toure, Soko V. Sackor et al, at the detriment of the community and other purpose-meaning personalities who have earnestly and tirelessly strive by Allah’s command to ensure that we survive in the midst tremendous hatred and tribulation with at times the overwhelming fear of extermination.
Let the words go forth to the
executives of the Caucus that the Mandingoes of Liberia certainly know
their heroes and heroines. Like any other tribal group in this country
that have sincerely had their fair share of good times and bad times and
during these moments the true revolutionaries emerged and were spotted
by all. And even today, those who are genuinely striving to ensure the
survivability of the Mandingo race in Liberia are right now being
captured by the spotlight of history and will be favourably recorded.
Let the Caucus takes it or leave it, majority of our people may not be
educated western-style, but this does in any way suggest that they lack
common sense and know not what affect them; it is only with time that
one must be patient. But I am certain like the northern star that
Liberian Mandingoes know who the true caucuses are, if there are any. We
will not allow wealth hungry individuals to keep employing the name of
our tribe without a resistance. A hint to the wise is quite sufficient.
Need I say more……..? The writer is a senior student of the University of Liberia majoring in Economics with minor in Political Science. He is also a student activist of the Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Progressive Youth for Accountability & Transparency in Liberia (PROYOUTHS Liberia Inc.)-The Frontline Whistleblower organization standing tall in the fight against corruption and bad governance in Mama Liberia. He can be reached at bossokorbama2005@yahoo.co.uk .
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