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Too Much To Lose

The Analyst (Monrovia)
OPINION
September 27, 2004
Posted to the web September 27, 2004

By Duane Sams

All Liberians, to secure the gains of 2003, must begin work harder and
compromise in 2004 to give birth in 2005 to a new democratic Liberia with new
institutions. The international community is actively assisting Liberia's
transition to a democratically elected government based on democratic
principles.
However, the U.S. government is concerned about recent incidents of violence in
Monrovia and other places and efforts by some to disrupt -directly or
indirectly- the peace process. Such conduct raises concerns in the
international community about Liberia's political will to make the transition
to a democratic society. It threatens continued international funding and new
private sector international and domestic investment, and betrays millions of
Liberians who have fought had and sacrificed much to bring peace and good
governance to this land.
After a year of peace in Liberia, many international stakeholders and
institutions are assessing the progress made in Liberia. Tremendous progress
has been made in the disarmament and humanitarian areas. But much remain to be
done. Much of the Liberia's unfinished business, especially the badly-need
capital-intensive infrastructure projects, will require millions of dollars of
new foreign and private capital. Many millions more required to fund the
Rehabilitation and Reintegration -"RR" - component of the DDRR program. Long-
term peace and stability will remain elusive until a credible, sustainable "RR"
program takes hold. This will require enormous effort.
It includes not only foreign funding, but also hard work, perseverance and most
importantly, peaceful cooperation and teamwork of all Liberians.
Lack of transparency in government and government-run entities and increasing
reports of corruption seriously undercuts international community stakeholder
efforts to attract the needed private and public capital.
The Accra peace accord - known formally as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or
CPA - and the resulting peace in Liberia since October of 2003 represents too
much to lose for too many Liberians. To the few individuals and/or institutions
that advocate gansterism, the return to violence, or indicate a resistance to
disarmament or advocate a return to the bush to fight if their demands are not
met by the NTGL, I say beware.
To all Liberians, I say beware of individuals or entities that do not support
compromise to make a transitional government framework. They are not apt to
support compromise to make a new government work in 2006 either. The CPA has
achieved good results for many.
Liberia's future and improved quality of life for its citizens will be
determined by the degree to which lasting peace is achieved, good governance is
restored, and sound free market economic principles adopted and implemented.
Unlike the construction of capital-intensive projects like roads, ports and
dams, which require millions of dollars, only sincere political will is
required to maintain the peace and govern fairly. Political will is free, it
only requires a change of attitude and this cost nothing.
The U.S. government urges all Liberians to disarm and the Liberian law
enforcement agencies to impose the rule of law over every inch of Liberian
soil. We urge the Liberian leadership to work with the United Nations,
international financial institutions so that no faction exercises control, even
for one second, over any resources that belongs to the government, and that
means to all the people of Liberia. All stakeholders need to work together to
make the CPA work.
Duane Sams is Charge'd' Affaires at the U.S. Embassy

   

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