Monrovia – In a powerful birthday message on her 86th birth anniversary, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has broken her silence on Liberia’s current governance challenges, calling on the national legislature to focus on enacting laws rather than making noise.
By Blamo N. Toe and Gibson Gee
The Nobel laureate, celebrated globally for her leadership and eloquence on national and international issues, delivered her message in a brief prerecorded video released on her birthday. Citing Dr. Lawrence Bropleh’s well-known phrase, “Changing minds, changing attitudes,” Sirleaf said, “It is time for our legislature to make laws and not noise.”
Her statement comes amid a divided House of Representatives, where lawmakers have split into pro- and anti-Speaker J. Fonati Koffa factions. A group of 43 representatives, led by Representative Samuel Kogar under the banner “Majority Bloc,” has submitted a six-count petition calling for Speaker Koffa’s removal, while 30 other members, aligned with Koffa, are demanding adherence to due process.
Sirleaf emphasized the importance of a legislative shift toward meaningful progress, warning that Liberia risks losing valuable time for growth if lawmakers fail to focus on substantive issues. Known for her clarity of vision, she underscored that genuine legislative efforts are essential to propel the nation forward.
The former president also directed her remarks at the judiciary, urging transparency and integrity. “It is time that our judiciary get on with settling cases and dispense justice without being compromised,” she stated, addressing the public’s rising frustrations over delays and perceived biases within the judicial system. Her words resonate amid Liberia’s ongoing struggles with corruption and governance reform.
Turning to the executive branch, Sirleaf stressed the need for leadership by example, calling on leaders to “speak with the power of exemplary behavior.” This appeal for ethical governance reflects Sirleaf’s commitment to integrity, a hallmark of her two terms in office from 2006 to 2018, and a demand echoed by both citizens and the international community.
Anticipating reactions to the timing of her statement, Sirleaf clarified her urgency: “Some will ask, why this message now? It’s because time for us, time for Liberia, is running out.” She warned that silence from influential voices on pressing issues breeds complicity. “Silence makes us all culpable in wrongdoings,” she concluded, urging all Liberians to hold their leaders accountable.
Sirleaf, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her contributions to peace in Liberia, remains an active voice in the country’s political discourse. Her call for a decisive move from rhetoric to action aligns with her enduring belief in “changing minds and changing attitudes.”
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