A former stalwart of the Congress for Democratic Change has appealed to President George Weah to begin preparing for an exit strategy because he has demonstrated his inability to govern the country and its people.
Archie Sarnor, a defeated legislative candidate in District 16 Montserrado County, said President Weah has proven that he lacks the capability to run the affairs of the governance in Liberia as evidence of the prevailing socio-economic and political situation existing in Liberia.
Mr. Sarnor made the appeal when he appeared as a guest at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion on Carey Street in Monrovia on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
According to him, if President Weah insists and contests to govern for the second term, the second term of his administration will be characterized by massive unrest, and political instability and the country will be heading toward a failed state. Mr. Sarnor argued that since President Weah’s inception, hardship has increased, a vast majority of the people cannot afford their daily meals and the wealth from the resources is only been shared by a handful of people surrounding the corridor of power.
“As long as you are not singing the songs of praises for the government, you are viewed as an opposition, you are denied a job, abused rather than discussing the issues.”
The former legislative candidate maintained that ordinary people are suffering more when the national budget increased from 500 million United States Dollars during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to 800 United States Dollars under the former soccer star.
“To add insult to injury, there is a shortage of money because most of the smaller denominations of the Liberian bank notes are short in circulation. No investment is coming into the country and, those who are here, are leaving gradually because they cannot generate the returns from their investment. Those who have attempted investing in the country are discouraged because of the huge kickbacks demanded by some officials of the government. Assessment of government institutions has proven there have been poor services because they are either facing challenges or are not functioning well”.
Commenting on the sanction imposed on three officials of government, he made it clear that President Weah’s suspension of those officials is not far enough. According to him, the three ministers were suspended following the imposition of sanctions by the United States.
But Mr. Nathaniel McGill claimed that it was a mistaken identity and those who informed the United States lied on him, while, Counselor Cephus shifted the blame on Justice Minister, Musa Dean because he (Cephus) does not negotiate or sign agreements for any concession.
In response to Minister McGill’s rejection, Mr. Sarnor contended that the United States has advanced systems and does not require hearsay evidence since they can obtain what they want when they want it.
“One does not need a rocket scientist to know that these officials of government are corrupt, because of their corruption, we are now experiencing a broken economy. Some pro-government economists claim that the country is experiencing economic growth this is comic because the ordinary people are not feeling the impact, there is no job, people are going to bed hungry and poverty is on the increase.”
He noted that the living conditions of most of the Liberian people were appreciable when the national budget was 500 million United States Dollars than the current 800 million United States Dollars budget.
“Our people are losing hope because our future is doomed to fail, suffering has increased, some are frustrated and the number of people going abnormal is on the increase not because of only drug consumption, but the reality is that some cannot stand the trauma created as a result of the hardship. So what is the essence of Weah being President? Is it to strangulate the nation or make it better for all of us?”
He added that this is not about likeness but to deliver the goods for the state and its people to survive and the economy to flourish for the future generation to inherit a state on a silver platter.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
