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“Mandingoes Profiling,” An Abomination
Aug 25, 2007
Varfly A. Dolleh
 Introduction:
Growing up in my home Town of “Barkidu,” situated in the “Quardu-Gboni Mandingo District,” never did it click to my mind or told that I was a descendant of “King Sao Bosso Kamara”, although, my mother rooted from the Kamara family. As an innocent child growing never before was I told that my mother was from the aristocratic royal family second to non in the West African sub-region, with Liberia being of no exception. As a young man unmindful of my history and surroundings, I didn’t have the slightest idea that it was my great, great, great, grand parent that cemented and solidify the foundation of what is known today as the “Republic of Liberia.” It was only in high school in Monrovia that I got to know that in fact, my genealogy is linked to my ancestral great, great, great, great grandparent the Great King and savior of the land that fundamentally instituted law and governance. It is he who set the pace of adherence to an agreement when consummated. It is he who told the Bassa people that having sold your land and eaten the money, the agreement as consummated needed to be upheld or I would cut off your head. Despite the aristocratic nature of my people, despite our role in the establishment of Liberia, despite our contribution in the development of the socio-politico and economic formation, we are not treated with equity, as it is reciprocated to others. This is a burning issue that needs solutions if we are to make progress.
Historical Connection:
It is a historical reality that when the colonialists arrived in the 1800s, one of the most civilized tribes they met in what is know as Liberia was the Mandingo tribe. By then, they had made gains, in governance, warfare, commence and conflict resolution. The developmental progression of the Mandingo man was by far greater than other tribal elements. Already, they were in the business of governance, steering the affairs of a powerful kingdom spreading over vast areas of territories. The king was instrumental in welcoming the colonialists and their cargo leading to settlement. It was the Mandingo King as custodian of power that threatened to have cut off the head of the “Bassa People” if they didn’t up holds the consummated agreement about the piece of land purchased from them. His kingdom extended from “Bellema, Duala, up to Bupolu”. Duala derives from the “Mandingoe word “Dukuly”. It was an enviable kingdom at the time when other tribal grouping had no idea of civilization.
Sensing the ingenuity of the Mandingo man, the colonialist ensures that the Mandingoes were secluded, ostracized in all sphere of the society. It was agreed that in order to effectively control the indigenous, it was essential that the Mandingo man wasn’t allowed to excel to the helm of power. It was agreed that as a result of the Mandingo man religious faith, he couldn’t easily submit to in-moral activities, so he needed to be excluded. It was agreed that since he was always sober he couldn’t be remotely control in indulging in despicable behaviors. Realizing the formidable nature of the Mandingo man, the colonialists and their agents Americo-Liberian decided to stigmatize the Mandingoes as alien. So it is not strange that history is repeating it self through the nourishment of the abominable practice. It is a shame that in spite of our kindness and receptiveness to others we are still being considered as the underdog. What have we done to them? Why are we being treated with indignities? What must be done to remedy the situation that could lead to hatred and eventual conflict if not solved?
Formidability of the Mandingoes:
I had never thought that following the dismal failure of the “NPFL” and other feuding parties in dislodging the Mandingoes militarily, despite conquering and subduing our enemies and the emancipation of the entire country, despite the awareness that we have the single largest trained man power in the field of warfare, despite our ability to instantly deter any attack in the split of a second, despite being merciful to our subjects during captivities with out any means of changing history, it is a shame that again that we are being taken for granted with history repeating it self with impunity. Being silent and law abiding doesn’t in any way manifest weakness or cowardice. A hint to the wise is sufficient.
It was because of the degradation, subjugation, the inhumane and diabolical killing of the Mandingoes by the NPFL and others that led to the formation of “ULIMO and LURD” respectively. Indeed, it was through the manifestation of our commitment to the Country that our brothers and sisters died in order to allow sanity and peace to prevail leading to the institution of democracy and the relative peace we enjoyed today. This should signal to our tormentors and detractors that indeed, we are a force to reckon with and we have to be respected and treated equally like any other group of citizens. Let it be understood that we are no more subservient nor will we capitulate amidst these indignations. The best thing to do is to desist or face the wrath of the soul comforted and heroic Mandingoes.
Daily Indignities of the Mandingoes:
Immigration:
It is a disgrace that with all of the in-numerations supra, we are treated as though we are the underdog when it is the opposite. One traveling in rural Liberia you annoyingly sense semblance of the in-equalities from the various checkpoints. Reaching at a gate, the fist thing you hear is “Sekou or Mamadee should come down.” Or you hear them saying, “Let the Dingos Come Down.” Although not everywhere, it is still commonplace. On the other hand, they would change the tactics and hold Identification cards of would be Mandingoes. The next thing is to demand money from them. You have the option to give in or you are delayed or imprisoned. This is the trend up to now. It is no secret that at a checkpoint, one who is a Mandingo speaker is a suspected alien. It must be noted that Mandingoes have been extorted at these check points with impunity. Many times our people are forced to give bribe in order to avoid confusion or delay. It is unfair that these officers have to feed on the sweats and blood of our people who are mainly traders. Some times they are compelled to bribe these officers not that they are guilty of any thing but the desire to make progress and not to delay other passengers who usually complain. This is a shame and must be stopped if we are to enjoy the relative peace we helped to usher.
Mandingo Presidency and Xenophobia:
Whether or not a Mandingo man or woman can be a president? The answer is an explicit yes, a “Mandingo man will become President of Liberia”. I don’t’ know when and how, but I have the dream and conviction that it is already ordained by God. It must be made crystal known that we have had Mandingo Vice President and member of the Collective Presidency. No one had thought about such development decades ago. What a transformations!! I am compelled to bring this out in the wake of the daily humiliations and comment that a “Mandingo” can never excelled to the Presidency. You can vividly see the xenophobia against the Mandingoes in all stratum of the community. I don’t know the opportune moment, but I pray to be around during that era.
Political Accommodation:
Having Mandingoes appointed in strategic areas in Government has always been a huddle with this Government being of no exception. We are mindful about the tremendous strives made by the Mandingoes in ensuring that Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the presidency. But how many of those close allies are really in the inner circle of the Leader. With the exception of Hon. Musa Bility, Losene Donzo, and Amara Konneh, you can’t count on any significant number of persons from our community. What happen to Dr. El. Mohammed Sheriff, Hon. Fafine Kamara, Siaka Toure, Manju Kamara, Jallah K.K. Kamara, Marvee Kamara, among others? Our people need to be absorbed in Government like every other group of citizens. This is a wake up call to our leader.
Passport:
With the daily demand for passport ever high, it is a shame that only the Mandingoes that are mainly asked about their proof of birth as genuine Liberians. Why wouldn’t they ask other elements? If one give name likes “Flomo, Togba, Gould, Doe, Mawolo, Mary”, no one cares to doubt your citizenship. But wherein, you mentioned the name like “Fanta, Musa, Mariam, Selata, Fumba, Kouyateh, Bility, or Varfley” you are definitely told that you need to provide further pieces of evidence. Normally, it takes up to a week for a non-Mandingo to obtain a passport, while on the other hand it would take up to several months for a Mandingo. We had thought that this sort of discrimination would have been some thing of the past. Where is the fair play and equity on the part of the system? This is an in -bedded cancer that must be surgically removed. We expect the authorities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find an amicable solution to this great indifference.
Birth Certificates:
There is a need to infuse the needed awareness in the society if we are to make the necessary impact. In the absence of the needed consciousness you can’t alter the situation. You will note that less than thirty percent of the population is born in the hospital because of the in-availability of the health centers. Trained midwives in small clinics or homes deliver many of the mothers. Many of our people don’t even know their real date of birth, especially the old generation of the 60s. But, the irony is they would many times consider an application from a “Tubman, John, Carter or Larry” for a birth certificate with out any tangible document to substantiate authenticity of claim to citizenship. On the other hand a “Donzo, Toure, Fofana, Tarawally or Kamara” is instantly denied. This is the contradiction and the lack of equity we are concerned about that must be addressed.
Police and CID Intimidation:
We have been gauging with eagle eyes the shortcomings of Police Director Beatrice Muna Sieh against the Mandingoes. It is a laudable the President decision to intermittently remove her as police Director in order to do some brush up in policing so that she is able to effectively redeem her self from the deep seated hatred and malicious machination against the peace loving Mandingoes in the Country. We can remember her reckless statement some few months ago against those Moslem women that wore the “Hijab” to remove them or face the wrath of the police. It was the same lady that diabolically insinuated that a Mandingoe man in Gbarnga, Bong County was in possession of stockpile of ammunitions that turned out to be false. Had it not been for the swift intervention of “UNMIL” many Mandingoes who have been placed in danger aborting the relative peace we enjoy today.
Realizing that our people are entrepreneurs it is an open secret that they have remained the single most extorted people by agents. It is they who are on a daily basis normally invited to the station with concocted charges of wrongdoings; it is they whose cars and trucks are impounded only to pay considerable sum of money as bribes, it is they whose premises are closed with the excuses that they owe taxes; it is they whose gas stations are raided claiming that they are selling above stipulated prices; It is they who are falsely accused for conspiracy because of failing to capitulate.
Employment:
It is our people that have been denied equal opportunity in the employment, despite of their competence. It is they who were made to join the demonic cults in order to be accepted; it is they who are constantly told to change their names and identities in order to be incorporated; it is they that were made to shy away from their names during the heat of the civil war afraid of extermination by the enemies. As a result we saw many of our prominent personalities that had to add some sort of tail to their names in order to be accepted. Such was the time and condition that requires the prescription. It is no more necessary to change your name or your tribe for any “Sawyer, Cooper or George” to accept you.
Political Rebelliousness as a Solution:
In the wake of the indignities couple with the strives we have made for peace, I call on the Mandingos, especially those who are still suffering from the phobia and the effect of the harassment and the intimidation leading to the change of your name and denunciation of your tribe, to regain your freedom from the social and political bondage you have been placed in. You have been finally emancipated from political enslavement and social bankruptcy. Say no to homosexuality as a means of acceptance; say no to those devilish cults that will carry you nowhere. You must be careful and realized that nothing last forever, and soon the realty will be known. What are you afraid of when eventually you will have to be place in the darkest corner of your grave? What are you afraid of when those who are targeting you will meet their fate one day like every one? Wake up, from the state of slumber ness! Your moment of truth has come for salvation! Say no to them and join the brothers and sisters for peace and progress. Be proud and courageous to say yes to “Mamadee, Musa, Amara Kewueln, Losoni Sanoe, Aminata Manasuma” when you are in their midst. It is only by saying no to drinking, smoking and those foreign attributes that will make them to respect and honor you. The moment you do what they want you to do, you are doomed to fail. Didn’t you see the fate of “Tubman, Tolbert, Doe, Taylor and other?” They don’t have any monopoly over the future, nor can they determine their own faith.
Homogenous Nature of the Tribes:
One visiting the Republic of Guinea, you will get to know that you have more “Lorma, Kpelleh and Mano then you have in Liberia. Despite of this fact, a Lorma man traveling in a car is not profiled as an alien the moment he mentions his Lorma name, which automatically authenticate his citizenship. This is unacceptable. In the same vehicle the moment some one says he or she is a Mandingoes or give a Mandingo name, that person is immediately considered as an alien. This is profiling and selective mis-treatment that must be abolished. Many of the present officials in the past and present Government came from neighboring countries, mainly countries bordering Liberia. This is the reality. We can recall how, many of our brothers from the South Eastern region came from the Ivory Coast. You can see the interconnection of the various sub-grouping in those areas. Even, when the 1980 coup took place, we saw the out-pouring of Krahn from the Ivory and incorporated in the government with out any out- cry. We also saw the how the Gio in Nimba County have over the century out-migrated from Ivory Coast either for economic or political reasons to Liberia vice-versa. You have more Gio in Ivory Coast than in Liberia. What an elementary fact? At the same time many of our kru brothers and sisters are from Ghana and Sierra Leone respectively. In fact Dr. Amos Sawyer, former Interim President of Liberia came from Sierra Leone. It is sheer nonsense that some one traveling from the USA with an American ascent is not interrogated about his citizenship. It is unacceptable, that while many of the so call “Americo Liberians” are from the Carribeans and the Bahamas, but they are never asked about their citizenship. This trend must be stopped if we are to build a healthy and prosperous nation. Let us try to treat each other with the utmost respect and honor. On the other hand if we were to open the Pandora box we would be creating more problem leading to nullification of the citizenship of many of those who claimed to be Liberian. Probably, it would be the Mandingoes that would legitimately claim ownership to the Country. Let a sleeping Dog lie.
We appeal to the Government to do every thing possible with in it power in ensuring that this cancerous problem and a recipe of conflict and disunity is resolved. We are mystified, that despite, the strives made in the attainment of peace, we are yet to get the freedom and security required. How long will our people remain in a state of bondage? How long will we continue to fight for freedom? How long can we wait in attaining social equity? How long can we wait before our people become economically emancipated? How long will it take before our people are liberated from political subjugation and decapitation? How long before we are given our rightful place in the Liberian society? How long can we wait? How long can we remain in a state of limbo? How long? These are the cardinal questions that must answered by the political actors. Time is running out before it is too late. The writing on the walls are glaring that enough is enough and the aggressors must cease to torment the Mandingoes or the necessary mechanism will be introduced that would serve as a deterrent and a balance of calculus to all aggressors.
We want to hear your thoughts…Varfley1@yahoo.com or (215)-666-2506
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