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Taylor’s Genocide, The Mandingo Ordeal and Compensation
Jul 21, 2007
Varfley A. Dolleh
Introduction:
It is an irrefutable probability that over “two hundred fifty thousands” “Liberians and non-Liberians alike were killed” during the despotic Taylor’s military crusade, of which over “hundred thousands” were of the “Mandingo tribe” making one to surmise that it was a well orchestrated vicious, malicious, criminal and diabolical machination to have the “Mandingoes” decimated with no trace of existence on their fathers’ land, as we microscopically decipher the war, their re-emergence as a formidable force and the rationalization for a just compensation by the aggressors for the pain and suffering meted on them..
Synopsis of the Crisis Variables:
Burning with vengeance and the un-satiable desire to settle old score with the young and inexperience military officers for the brutal execution of “13 former officials” of the “Tolbert regime” it came as no surprise that immediately, the like of “Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, Dr. H. Boima Fambullah, Harry Grieves Jr, prominent architects along with other white collar rebels embarked upon the unholy mission of ousting the “Samuel Doe regime”, both overtly and covertly with the sole aim of regaining state power even if it meant the annihilation of the entire population. Initially, it was a smear campaign putting the government at logger- head with the US Government. This resulted in the withholding of needed aids to the struggling government that had initially benefited as a recipient of the greatest aid from the “United States Government” in sub-Sahara Africa. It must be noted that at the time Liberia was seen as a strategic allies of the USA, coinciding with the apex of the “cold war” between the US and her bitterest allies the Soviet Union. Capitalizing on the weakness of the government, they succeeded in instituting a “divide and rule policy” as a way of further crippling the fragile government. This led to the killing of each other and the disintegration of the “People Redemption Council”. Many of the brothers got killed in the process, while others sought alliances with the “white collar rebels” in launching coupes, but to no avail.
Machiavellian School of Thought as a Solution:
Amidst the formation of the “Association For Constitutional Democracy In Liberia” (ACDL), it was our understanding that the pillar of this institution with it tender nomenclature, was to foster change and democracy through democratic means, and not through the barrel of the gun. It is an irony that many political analysts have failed in objectively dealing with the subject matter by not pinpointing the initiators of the mayhem we find our selves in as a nation. While it true that we squarely blame Mr. Taylor, but we shouldn’t forget to note that it was the white-collar rebels that masterminded the process having failed in the initial process of outing the military junta through the democratic process. It was therefore agreed that they subscribed to the “Machiavellian Political School of Thought” as a way out. It was resolved that, what was at stake was seizing state power through brute force, destructions, genocides, and human right violations. It was agreed that what matters, was state power even if led to the total decimation of the entire country. It was resolved further that it didn’t matter if over “hundred thousand Mandingoes” were killed. It was resolved that it didn’t matter if “Monrovia” the only capitol was leveled in the process. This was the idea in subscribing to this school of thought. So it shouldn’t be strange that our enemies had no mercy nor remorse in the killing of our people.
Formation of the “NPFL” Military Wing of the “ACDL”:
In accordance with the program of action, the white collar rebels mentioned supra met and formed the “NPFL” with the hope of executing the military aspect of the crusade since it had failed through other means. In line with plan, it was agreed to have Mr. Taylor released from jail who was awaiting extradition for allegedly embezzling over three million dollars as Director General of the “General Service Agency of Liberia”. It was a perfect opportunity to use an enemy of Mr. Doe anxious to seek freedom. As per protocol, Mr. Taylor was tasked to do the dirty work while they could assume the leadership. In the process having collected millions of dollar in Mary land, Boston and other places, Mr. Taylor was unceremoniously and surreptitiously released under the pretext that he broke jail. He along with other conspirators flew to Europe, ending up at the “Thajura Military Camp” in Libya, where they underwent military training. Aware of the cold relationship between the late President “Houphot Boingy” and the late Doe as a result of the unceremonious killing of his son in-law, the young Tolbert, it was a perfect opportunity for the aging president to give Carte de blanche to the heinous operation. Also instrumental, was the “Burkinabe connection”, realizing that “President Blasé Campore” was also anther in-law of the aging Ivorian President. So it was no mistake when they all gave approval to the worst form of human degradation in history. As a result, hundreds of Namibians were recruited to join the rebellion frustrated because of the “Quipwonpa Fiasco”, an earlier mission launched through the dictates of “Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr. H. Boima Fambullah and others which ended up in a dismal failure and the eventual death of Quiowonpia and others. With memory fresh about the demise of one of their heroes it was the rightful moment to make their debut formally in ousting Mr. Samuel Doe.
It must be noted that Col. Mummer Khadaffi involvement in the military crusade was a major factor in the implementation of the mission. You will recall that one of the first governments to have recognized the young and fragile military junta was Libya. Apart, Libya was able to have infused much needed cash at the time with over three millions dollar, couple with gas and new Honda cars for the “PRC” Government. But they went apart as the fight of the sphere of influence shifted to American. The young military leader at the time had even threatened to have physically attacked the Libyan leader at one of the “OAU Conferences”. Mindful of that development, the Libyan leader yearning to extend his hegemony wasted no time in the provision of moral, political, economic and military supports to the belligerent group.
The Unholy Military Debut:
Although, cognizant of credible reports from the “US State Department” regarding a pending military invasion of the country, despite the popular and substantiated gossip that it would have rained terribly that could killed a human being, yet the “Samuel Doe government” failed to implement the various preventive mechanism in motion in aborting the attack. Engulfed with celebration on a Christmas Eve, Liberians were taken aback when they heard what they had termed as mere insinuation a reality the announcement by Mr. Taylor that he had launched a rebellion in the town of “Butuo Nimba County”. Although, people were apprehensive about the news mindful of the fact that the government was noted of concocting false coupe plots with the hope of silencing perceive enemies. But this was not the case as people heard the tale of gruesome killings and the in-effectiveness of the army in curtailing the advancing rebels.
With the daily intensity and cruelty, it became a reality that this was a force to reckon with leading to speculation that it was the beginning of the end of the empire of the Doe and his inner cycles. But what wasn’t known was that the “Mandingoes” would have been criminalized, demonized and convicted in absentia that they should be inhumanely killed like chickens. It is mournful to note that apart from the few soldiers killed during the incursion on the “Liberian soil” the rest were all Mandingoes killed. It was a feast day for the advancing rebel mainly from the “Gio and Mano” tribes doing the dirty job, while the “white collar rebels, and their children” played the leadership and ceremonious roles. What a shame. It is with perturbation that amidst the progression, “Mandingoes” were systematically killed from “town to town, village to village, and city to city, from north to south and from east to west”. It is a reality that it was only the “Mandingoes” killed unjustifiably with no tangible reason. As they escaped, their properties were confiscated, while some were arrested trying to seek safety. It was the “Mandingoes” slaughtered like cow, sheep and chicken emulating them in rendering sacrifices to Allah as enshrines by Islam. From the town of “Butuo, Bahn, Ganta, Seclepia, Kephn, Gbanga, Kakata, Zorzor, Voinjama, Barkidu, Monrovia, and beyond, people have documented and cataloged chilling accounts of genocide against our people. While it is probable that our critics will view our accounts as mere formulation of hypothesis, but the truth is no one can better tell the story more than me since I am a party to history. You will note that despite the general categorization of the causality figure, but what they have failed to do, is to note the number of “Mandingoes” killed. As per our research, it is noted that over “two hundred and fifty thousand persons” killed, about “hundred thousand of said number were of the “Mandingo tribe”. What a sad account!!!
We are credibly told that it was a master plan to have wiped out the “Mandingoes” from the face of Liberia, so that their presence and economic vibrancy was never felt. Apart, they were seen as a threat to the societal growth since their way of life, cultural, religious and general over view were peculiar to others. They were afraid of the moral consciousness of the “Mandingoes” and their reliance on faith and the oneness of God. Apart, they were afraid that the “Mandingoes” were gradually institutionalizing them selves unearthing new variable in social harmony and economic dependability. While it is true that millions suffered as the result of the military conquest, the untold story is that unlike many, “Mandingoes” were victims of unprovoked attack and decimation. It is they that were selectively targeted during the violence, they whose properties were confiscated in “Nimba and other areas in the Country” with impunity. What an injustice, and how long can this be tolerated?
Compensation, a Must for the Mandingoes:
Reconciliation is not an end in it self, unless it is complimented by practical realistic elements that could engender peace and harmony. Let no one fool you that we have forgotten about the ordeal in the hands, of Charles Taylor, Prince Johnson, Adolphus Dolo and others. Let no one make mistake to think that hugging you and drinking at bars is a signal that every thing is over; let no one make the mistake that having few “Mandingoes” at the helm of power or as part of the kitchen cabinet of a leader is an all out indicator that we have waved every thing; let not make mistake that the pronouncement of few superficial elements with in the “Mandingoes Community” is an indicator that we have capitulated amidst injustices. The reality is, we will and can never be satisfied unless there is a comprehensive peace agreement with our lands in “Nimba County” being returned, our inclusion as vibrant stakeholders in any government at the highest level, appreciation of our roles as arbiters of peace, when every one was in a state of precariousness and limbo. Most importantly, is the issue of reparation for the “Mandingoes” for the killing of over a “hundred thousand,” the destruction of millions dollars worth of properties among others. This is one of the fundamental and cardinal demands on our part. Let the white collar rebels know that we reserve the right to file “Class One Action Suit” for the inhumane treatment meted against us. We call on the “International Community” to ensure that the issue of reparation is addressed in the wake of seizure of the fortunes and assets of Charles Taylor and his crones. Apart, not to forget the issue of those intellectual actors must also be made to pay compensation to the “Mandingoes”.
Untainted Reconciliation Starting with the President:
It is with sheer perturbation when the issue of reconciliation is buttressed with out any concrete action on the part of the leadership. It had been hoped long ago that the present government of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf would have initiated the real and untainted crusade of reconciliation in it true meaning. In short, how do we be in harmony with each other when those who bear the bulk of the problem are yet to be remorseful or apologetic? How do we really reconcile when those who should be championing the cause are yet to develop the political will to spear head the process? How do we reconcile when the President is still skeptical about the “Mandingoes” despite all the sacrifices made for her during he campaign? Madam president, where is Dr. El- Mohammed Sheriff? Where is Ashia Conteh? Where is Hon. Manvee Kamara, a founding member of the “Unity Party”? Where is Mr. Jallah K.K. Kamara, a close confident during the Campaign for the Presidency? Where is Siaka Tourey, one of the short listed persons at the formative days of the government for the position of “Managing Director of the LPRC”? Where is Mr. Fafine Kamara, a one-time appointee at the “Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization”? Where are those out spoken “Mandingoes” brothers and sisters that were in the vanguard of the struggle for your ascendancy to the helm of power? What happen to all of them with the exception of “ Justice Kabine Janneh, Hon. Lossene Donzo, the Minister of Public Work, Hon. Musa Bility, Chairman of the Board of the National Port Authority and Hon.Amara Konneh, a special confident that is pursuing graduate studies at Harvard University? What a lack of equity on your part by not placing the “Mandingoes” in selective places in government. These are the preludes to reconciliation. The issue of inclusiveness must be enhanced if we are to succeed.
As a recollection, I can vividly remembered when Dr. EL Mohammed Sheriff told me once that the President was from the “Mandingoes tribe” detailing her parental link and origin of the “Mandingo name”. Whether or not this is true is some one guest, but the truth is she has failed to ensure equity in the distribution of job to the “Mandingoes”. Let it be noted that we feel hurt that despite the party was founded by “Dr. Edward Beyan Kesselly”, a native and son of the “Quard Gboni Mandingo Chiefdom”, no one from that region has been offered job. Where is the fair play on your part Madam President? Madam President, you need to wake up from the political bondage being placed in by people who want to see you failed by ill advising you about the “Mandingoes” inclusiveness in the government. You must be mindful not to repeat the mistakes of successive leaders that did similar mistakes that resulted in their dismal failure.
To the Mandingoes Community:
We urge you to remain steadfast and law- abiding citizens as we positively and courageously engage the leadership of the Country and the stakeholders in ensuring that your fundamental basic rights are restored, and never again will we allow the replica of the past to unfold.
Expect the next article.
We want to hear your criticism at –(215)-666-2506 or Varfley1@yahoo.com
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