Former National Security Advisor under the administration of ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Dr. Henry Boima Fahnbulleh, has vowed to illegitimize the government of President George Manneh Weah if the presidential run-off election is rigged in his favor.
Dr. Fahnbulleh, a former presidential candidate, contested the 2017 elections on the ticket of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP). He’s a renowned Liberian scientist and one of the founders of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) who served as a National Security Advisor to ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
He also served as Minister of Education and of Foreign Affairs in the Samuel Doe military government from 1980 to 1983.
The presidential runoff is expected to take place between President George Manneh Weah and former Liberian Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Standard Bearers of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Unity Party (UP) respectively on November, according to the National Elections Commission (NEC).
It was necessitated due to the failure of the 20 parties and independent candidates that contested the elections to obtain 50 percent plus one vote in keeping with the 1986 Liberian Constitution.
Speaking when he participated as guest on the Prime Morning Drive (PMD) on Prime FM 105.5 from exile via telephone on Thursday, November 2, Dr. Fahnbulleh claimed that the re-election of President Weah would be a “catastrophe” for the post-conflict nation and its citizens.
According to him, Liberia will intensively retrogress if the Liberian leader is retained as President.
He observed that Liberia has become a “platform for jokes” under the Weah led-government.
Dr. Fahnbulleh stressed that Liberian diplomat passports are being sold to “criminals”, while insecurity remains at a higher peak.
He maintained that he and others outside Liberia will not hesitate to illegitimize the government of President Weah if the outcome of the elections does not reflect the will of the Liberian people.
“If Mr. Weah is re-elected-that will be a catastrophe of biblical proportions. In other words, Liberia will sink to nothing for the next 50 and all of the years. Millions of dollars of cocaine are passing through our country and you still want what?”
According to him, the election of the Weah led-government is disastrous to Liberia and its citizens in the wake of the influx of dangerous substances, endangering the future of the young generation.
He said the current national leaders do not clearly understand the essence of governing a country and as such, they have failed to provide education to the Liberian leader on his duties as Head of State.
“I said this in 2017 that this (government) was going to be a disaster.”
Dr. Fahnbulleh pointed out that he continues to remain out of the country because he is not one of those wanting to work in any government, noting that, “I don’t have to compromise or sell my soul.”
He pointed out that United Nations reformed the security sector of Liberia to provide security for all citizens and foreign residents and remain independent.
But on the contrary, he observed that the security agencies under President Weah have been sabotaged along with integrity and anti-graft institutions thereby contributing to the growing wave of secret and mysterious killings and disappearance in the society.
He observed that public service has been negatively perceived by those in power as a place to make money and accumulate ill-gotten wealth, instead of serving their people.
He maintained that though the Weah led-administration has the power to investigate previous happenings, including murders and corruption which occurred during the past administration, it failed to do so due to the lack of leadership.
Dr. Fahnbulleh pointed out that upon President Weah’s ascendancy to the Liberian presidency, experts in various disciplines approached the Liberian leader to provide their expertise in moving the country forward, but they were seen as a “laughing stock” and not accommodated in the government.
He noted that based upon his vast experience and knowledge on the security sector of Liberia, he reneged to put himself in similar category by going for a talk with President Weah.
He said many Liberians who made sacrifices towards the betterment of Liberia and its citizens continue to be humiliated and insulted under the current regime.
Dr. Fahnbulleh observed that Liberians should remain are already resolved to vote against President
The Caveat
“Anybody who thinks he can rig the elections; once we have established that the elections were rigged-(the next step) is to illegitimize the government.”
He called on Liberia’s international partners to help ensure that the outcome of the presidential runoff elections is not authored in favor of the incumbent.
He said the failure of the part of authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and others to ensure that the results of the runoff elections are transparent and credible, “we on the outside-we will illegitimize your government.”
Dr. Fahnbulleh observed that Liberians are resolved to unseat the President Weah and his government, and as such, they will be involved into any action that will make his government illegitimate if their decision is thwarted to rig the elections in his favor.
Endorsing Boakai
Meanwhile, Dr. Fahnbbulle has endorsed the candidacy of Unity Party Standard Bearer Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the November 14 runoff elections.
He congratulated eminent Liberians and political parties who have also pledged their support to the UP Standard Bearer.
He said Ambassador Boakai is the only one best suited to reconcile, stabilize and bring some level of respect to Liberia and its citizens.
According to him, Liberians do not want celebrities to govern them but a “wise old man who can dedicate responsibilities and read into people’s actions.”
Dr. Fahnbulleh, however, expressed the hope that various committees would be setup under a Boakai led-government to investigate past happenings, including corruption, mysterious killings and disappearances, among others.
He emphasized that these issues must be brought to light to enable Liberians know those responsible for acts of lawlessness and others committed.
He vowed not to hold any political office when call upon to serve his country.
Source: Front Page Africa
