In post war Liberia, everything is a priority. Water is a priority. Electricity is a priority. Food is a priority.
With such an atmosphere of competing material priorities, the essential, but immaterial priority like true reconciliation is often overlooked or forgotten.
President Boakai has demonstrated the true meaning of “with age comes wisdom.” I believe the President understands that reconciliation is the bedrock upon which tangible development can thrive, and that is why his prudent steps towards reconciliation cannot be downplayed regardless of political affiliation.
Early this year the president partook in the funeral of the late senior senator of Nimba County, Hon. Prince Y. Johnson and was involved in activities surrounding the preparation and interment of the “Godfather” of Nimba.
Not too long ago the President played a vital role in the ceremonial reburial, funeral and burial of the late 21st President of Liberia, Dr. Samuel K. Doe and his beloved wife, former First Lady Nancy B. Doe. The President just did not designate his able lieutenants to execute those funeral activities; he was present and took out time to meet with the bereaved family members.
In the most recent events, and what I consider the most impactful of the President reconciliation effort, President Boakai played a major role working with the “April 22nd Memorial Group” in the exhumation and reburial of the late 20th President of Liberia, Dr. William R Tolbert, Jr. and the 13 members of his cabinet. Time, the great revealer, has now shown that the murder of President Tolbert was the single most tragic mistake Liberia has made as a nation, and it is causing her almost a century to recuperate from the effects of that tragedy.
Prior to President Boakai’s esteemed initiatives, many well-meaning Liberians, on different occasions talked especially about the exhumation and reburial of President Tolbert and his 13 cabinet ministers because time has shown that they were murdered for nothing. There is nowhere in the constitution of Liberia that gives anyone the right to murder another person because of alleged corruption, and if that had remained the pattern, the population of Liberia will be shockingly depleted.
The three men honored and memorialized by President Boakai were polarized figures at different dispensation in the recent history of Liberia and it could only take a President Boakai with the age, wisdom and grace to pull out such a reconciliation feat.
President Boakai has demonstrated this year that reconciling a post war country is not just talk, it is action, and the actions he has taken will remain indelible in the eons of time of Liberia history.
Indeed, President Boakai has sealed the deal on reconciliation in Liberia. It is now encouraged of all Liberians to harness this deal and reflect it in their daily lives!
Jusu Gow
Freelancer
jgowus@yahoo.com
