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Comment on the COCUBOMB Petition

I just read the Petition Statement by the " Coalition of Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back (COCUBOMB), a mass-based umbrella pro-democracy and pro-advocacy organization consisting of over 26 civil society organizations, youth/student groups and trade unions.." in Liberia: Text Of Statement Delivered By Protesters Delivered To Int’l Community, WEST AFRICAN JOURNAL MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018.

Over the weekend, there was the typical reactionary anxiety over the planned Monday protests over the missing billions, a story that Front Page courageously broke and investigated. The hashtag #BringBackOurMoney has been gaining currency and, in fact, a coalition was assembled with the name. These planned protests warned that all businesses should remain closed. The US Embassy issued a note, informing its employees to be careful and avoid the areas where the people would would be marching. 

I get surprised every time when even long-time residents get a little wary of what might happen when people take to the streets in Monrovia. It tells me there is very little trust in security. 

Since this story has broken out, the regime has performed a combination of back peddling, self contradiction and confusion. 

Front Page is one of the main news outlets in Monrovia and, as such has done crucial work in throwing the spotlight on an apparent financial scandals, one of the first major shake ups for the new Weah administration. Liberian journalism has done its job and, we can trust Front Page to keep this issue on the front burner. 

However, while I applaud this organised group of civil society actors who want to bring the government to task, I would like to ask where is the opposition's voice?  

Let's move to the Petition itself which is very disappointing:

1. This Coalition is asking the international community to "launch an immediate independent international forensic investigation into this missing L$16 billion saga." Who do they exactly mean by international community? Any UN agency in particular now that UNMIL has departed since March? The World Bank? The United States Government? The IMF?

Let's not forget Liberia is a sovereign state and, the international community cannot just launch an inquiry.  With with legal instrument can this idea of international community start interfering in Liberia's state affairs? Apparently, this Coalition consists of pro-democracy organisations. This request itself is anti-democratic. 

Protestors need to purse democratic channels in seeking information and answers. The media has done its part in exposing the outline of a corruption scandal. Support and strengthen independent media. Write and push the opposition in doing their job. It is this type of moment, where politics comes into play. Where is the elected political class that needs to use the structures and mechanisms to seek answers? 

It is good enough that civil society groups are coming to the streets but they cannot ask the so-called international community to investigate their government. On which grounds and through which channel?

This tells us that the Liberian public only sees the Liberian state in relation to the "international community," donors, foreign governments, aid agencies and, whatever else constitutes foreign powers.

This motley crew calls itself an umbrella group of pro-democracy organisations. They need to understand the functions and mechanisms of democracy and, the specifics of their own democracy. They display no knowledge. 

2. The group is asking the world to " withhold all direct support (in terms of financial and non-financial aid) to our government until it can fully account and restitute this stolen L$16 billion. All those linked in this horrific economic plunder and mass looting against the State and its people must be prosecuted and made to fully restitute such amount. "

Again, through which authority can they  make this demand? Do they represent all peoples who may be 'beneficiaries' of various development projects (notwithstanding all the criticisms of what actual impact such projects have) that are being implemented in this country? The so-called partners of this government have bi-lateral agreements and, some donors have been active in Liberia since the war ended in 2003. This post-war state was literally resuscitated with a 2003 Accra Peace Agreement and, (yes, we can use the notion of international community here) the international community helped to set up the state by bringing in a Transitional Government (made up of many of the signatories to the Peace Agreement), holding elections, pumping funds in budgetary assistance, aid, etc. Liberia has more or less been propped up by international assistance. Even now, Liberia receives direct budgetary support. The Liberian state is still fragile and, unfortunately, all the major sectors such as education, health care, and infrastructure are in dire conditions. Moreover, the economy has whimpered to a halt after a shaky take off with awards of concessions to foreign interests to exploit natural resources and revive the pre-war extractive industry. Historically, this request is unreasonable. It practically would achieve nothing, if not disaster. 

Liberian civil society should be instead asking for the impact and value of aid that it has received over the years from its own state and political players. 

Yes, the international community has power and, power needs to be addressed, questioned and sought for help. But the civil society's Petition seems to be mixing up the role of the international community in delivering answers to the Liberian state's long-standing problem of corruption. Corruption is a political issue and, has to have a political solution. Where are the political parties? Where is the opposition that has to take the government to task? 

3. The group is asking this nebulous international community to "prevail upon the Weah-led government to immediately release the internal investigative report of the Central Bank of Liberia that former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf referenced in her latest interview on BCC." Again, through which channel should this group be asking for this report? How can they reference a BBC interview? 

4. The Petition calls for an audit of all financial transactions under both Sirleaf and Weah's regimes. How can the international community audit the government? By which authority and understanding ? 

5. The Petition asks the international community look into the mansions that George Weah has started building since he got elected as President. No comment here. 

The Petition goes on and on and, makes requests which don't signal any understanding of the international community or how international affairs are conducted. These are unrealistic demands which do not demonstrate any sense of an actual organised political movement. Even the name of the umbrella organisation is bad.

By asking foreign powers and/or international community to audit their government, stop aid, etc, says Liberia has become a failed state and should be handed over to a guardian/caretaker regime managed by international accountants.

This Petition has no historical or long - term sense or view. There is no strategy here in raising a voice against corruption. There is no commitment to using democratic channels and institutions. Asking the international community to 1) halt all aid 2) audit the previous Sirleaf government and the barely-8-month Weah regimes 3) prevail upon the Weah government to release reports etc is a poor attempt at showcasing a strong and organised civil society. Even the language is amiss.

There is even a request to institute a War and Economic Crimes Court. This is a fair demand but what is a War and Economic Crimes Court? I am confused with the addition of Economic Crimes to normally understood as a War Crimes tribunal or court. And, what does it have to do with the immediate issue of the 'container scandal'?

Politics in Liberia remains disorganised and, populist in nature. The left is hardly organised. The right wing is represented by the populist, corrupt and capitalist patterns and tendencies of the post-war regime under Sirleaf. The country was siphoned off to foreign companies for exploitation of Liberia's rich natural resources at break-neck speeds and, no other economic model was pursued in Sirleaf's era. A small elite of the old, the new, the repats and all the lucky ones with the blessings of the international community has been ruling Liberia since 2003.

The demand for a war crimes court has never died down. But would it ever get the momentum and support it needs?

Civil society can and has bent states in the quest for justice. But this Petition does not seem to have an understanding of how things actually work in Liberia. It's neither strategic nor very realistic nor very well written. 

We meet a world traveler from Vietnam 🇻🇳

After our long walk, we decided to go for dinner at Mama Susu's. I didn't want to go home and cook, so I stopped at Mama Susu's while Haresh kept walking onwards to the house to drop Bijli home and, pick up the car. 

During our lively dinner, we noticed a young man sitting on the next table. He came to snap a photograph of Mama Susu's parrot, Sohail, eating chilli peppers. Mama Susu was eating them and, Haresh said, parrots eat them. I really don't know this interesting fact and, sure enough, Sohail chewed on a pepper. 

We started talking to him and, learned he's traveling the world. Minh, Vietnamese-British (he was born and brought up in Vietnam, went to studying Germany at the age of 18, and is now living and working in London as a professional photographer/videographer). 

He was staying at a guesthouse on Camp Johnson Road.

Minh explained this was his West Africa leg and, he had seen Tunis, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea Bisseau, etc. He said the market people in Morocco were definitely very aggressive and, he was even ripped off by a tour operator. Otherwise he said the Sahara Desert is very beautiful. He said the Muslim folks were extremely hospitable (which I was very happy to hear and of course, Mama Susu nodded deeply). He said he made friends with people in Sierra Leone and, they really took care of him.  From the anecdotes I remember, he said he met a Belgian lady who had a restaurant in St Louis and, wondered what she was doing all the way there, even though she was a successful restauranteur back in her country. His experiences of traveling by road from Sierra Leone to Liberia were quite adventurous. He said the road was terrible and, he took a motorcycle to the border and, it was just a mud path, drowned in feet of rain water. He said the driver had to shove something into the exhaust to stop water getting in. Somehow, against all the odds, he made it to the border. 

During all his travels via air and land, he said he even slept on the side of the ride because the car broke down. 

Anyway, we invited him to spend the next night with us until he left.

Minh spent the next day with us and, Sunday he flew to Lagos, his next stop. 

See all the photographs we took with him. The sharp, clear photographs are by Minh, of course. He also photographed our house and Kavita. 

Kavita was overjoyed to have a houseguest and, she made Minh play with him in the guest/her bedroom and, listen to all her guitar music (Minh also knows how to strum a guitar). 

A Kabuli Pilao Dinner Party

Carrots flying everywhere! 

I subjected myself to a gruelling day in the kitchen preparing for a dinner party we had decided to host one fine Saturday evening. Luckily I had a few minions plus one housekeeper to help me: Haresh, Kavita, Angie and Minh. 

The night before we met a charming Vietnamese-British, Minh, world traveler by chance after our long evening walk at Mama Susu's. We befriended each other and, offered him to come and stay at our place. 

Minh, Haresh and Kavita went off to buy all the ingredients Saturday morning on Benson Street. For the menu of Kabuli Pilao, Aloo Kebab, Salad, and Gajjar Halwa, we needed mutton and several pounds of carrots. 

I found an easy-to-follow Kabuli Pilao recipe on YouTube (see here). I instructed Haresh to carefully watch the video and, then start cooking. Minh offered to help in the kitchen, too, and, I put Kavita and him in charge of grating all the carrots. 

I put Angie in charge of chopping all the other produce. 

Like a beautiful orchestra, I conducted the whole symphony. Like a head chef, I supervised all the other stations and, ensured everything was going according to plan. 

At one point, Haresh and I had difference of opinion. He put in the boiling hot water from the tea kettle while he was cooking and I admonished him against it. If the recipe doesn't call for hot water, use normal water. 

Miraculously, Haresh's attempt at Kabuli Pilao was going well, and, we decided that we would only put the pilao on dum half an hour before the dinner would be served. I told Haresh he could go and relax in the living room. (Just like babies who should take a nap in the day so they don't become so cranky, Haresh also follows this routine) Kavita and him took 2-hour naps while I finished up the rest of the menu. 

Minh had gone off to say good bye to Mama Susu as he was catching a flight to Lagos the next day as per his plans. Haresh was napping. 

I had put the Gajjar Halwa on the pot and, it was cooking and, the aroma of carrots, cardamoms, cinnamon and brown sugar had filled up the whole apartment. Suddenly, Haresh rushed into the kitchen, in shock and panic. He said, he needs a few carrots for the garnish. The recipe required 1 pound of caramelised carrots. Haresh was in a terrible panic and, said, he needed more carrots. "Weren't there any left?" he shrieked! I laughed to myself and, pointed to the top of the fridge. He started rummaging there. Then I pointed to the kitchen table and, his eyes popped out looking for them. I continued this for a few moments until I said, don't worry, there are still some here in this basket by the sink. Haresh heaved a sigh of relief and, started caramelising the carrots. 

By 6 'o clock, we were done with all our cooking, leaving us one hour to relax and change our clothes. Angie cleaned the kitchen and, helped to set the table. 

We received our guests at 7 PM. Haresh put the pilao on dum and, by 7:30 we were able to announce dinner. 

The food was a roaring success. All the guests were all praise for the Kabuli Pilao. Minh actually said that this was his best ever Pilao he had had in his entire life! That was a great compliment coming from someone who has travelled 54 countries and counting.

The party went on till 3 AM. What a wonderful evening. Thanks to Haresh for making this such a memorable success. He always comes to my rescue. I am so lucky to have him as my life partner.

I love his big tummy. 

See all the pictures below. The very last one was taken by Minh. 

A walk on the beach side 🐚🌊

Today, we walked again by South Beach. We then ran into our friend, Wassim Charife, who was out for a run. I also made a video: South Beach. 

After South Beach, we walked along Capitol Bye Pass and turned into Carey Street to continue back to Randall Street. 

Central Monrovia is descending into disrepair and neglect. I notice that the streets that were rehabilitated/re-paved in 2011 are full of potholes. While Randall Street, where I live, usually doesn't get over flooded during heavy rains and the water washes away in the gutters, elsewhere, the gutters over flow with rain water and water becomes small ponds and streams in other streets. 

Sewage has been overflowing right smack in the middle of the street right opposite the entrance to Mamba Point Hotel. For weeks now, we notice this sewage. 

Parts of central Monrovia too are overflowing with sewage. 

Many prominent buildings are empty/boarded up or abandoned mid construction from the 70s era. Except for some of the old churches that were established when the settlers first arrived in the late 19th century, other old structures like the True Whig Party headquarters (a magnificent building) remain closed. There is no sign of renovation or revival or, even plans to use it for public use. Very old buildings on Front Street (one of the oldest parts of Monrovia) are in complete disrepair and, literally falling apart. There are some other buildings that were started in the Doe era but then were left unfinished, for instance the Ministry of Defense (in Congo Town) which no longer stands, was torn down (its grounds used for an ebola-treatment triage facility during the 2014-2015 ebola epidemic) and, a new Ministerial complex has been erected by the Chinese (I believe this is part of China Aid, where many infrastructure development was done by the Chinese Government, including a new Fendell LU campus, rehabilitation of Capital buildings on Capitol Bye Pass). There are some other builds which were left unfinished such as the National Savings building on Broad Street. 

Ducor Hotel, which got looted during the war, was never revived despite rumours that some Libyans were going to take over and renovate it. Since the Qaddafi regime fell, these rumours and whispers fell silent. Hotel Africa, in Virginia, has never enjoyed any such rumours. 

The Unity Conference Center in Virginia is more or less intact and, quite an impressive structure. It could be used for all government functions, international conferences. It's grounds should be used for cultural activities. 

Shabbiness, garbage, and slum-like conditions seem to be taking over central Monrovia. It's tragic because this is a historical city, built in the 19th century and, its old buildings should be preserved. 

Many businesses and offices have moved to Sinkor and beyond, because rents continue to be high in the main areas of central Monrovia. The UN agencies moved from Mamba Point to the Pan African Plaza (PAP). I know of several other businesses which moved away, including, let's say the Ecobank head office. 

Government ministries also moved away over over the years and, once the Ministerial complex is inaugurated, central Monrovia is going to be rather empty. 

There should be plans to revive central Monrovia. This should include public buildings, more greenery, cafe's, restaurants, youth centers, and so on.