”FROM WHERE I SIT” By Philipbert Semogai Jabba-Wleh Browne
Monrovia -The Commander-In-Chief has made it clear: “THERE WILL BE NO WAR WITH GUINEA.” This statement should be a relief to all Liberians, as war is a catastrophic option that brings immense suffering to a nation and its people.
According to Article 34(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, “The power to declare war shall vest exclusively in the Senate and the House of Representatives acting jointly.” This provision is clear: only the Legislature, specifically the Senate, has the authority to declare war on Guinea or any other nation.
The economic cost of war is staggering. Preparing for war would require a significant allocation of resources, with estimates suggesting that equipping and deploying a single soldier could cost upwards of $20,000.
This does not include the long-term costs of sustaining a conflict, which could run into billions of dollars that Liberia doesn’t have.
The human cost of war is even more devastating. War brings death, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to immense suffering for ordinary citizens.
Liberia has experienced this firsthand, and it’s crucial that we learn from our past. Beyond the immediate costs, war would also have a profound impact on Liberia’s development.
Schools would close, economic growth would stagnate, and civil servants might go unpaid for months. The very fabric of our society would be torn apart.
Moreover, war is not just a matter of national security; it’s also a regional and international concern. It could lead to a mass exodus of people, destabilize the region, and create opportunities for external actors to exploit.
War also brings a constitutional breakdown of law and order, as emergency powers are often invoked, and civil liberties are curtailed.
Article 20(a) of the Constitution guarantees the right to liberty and security of person, while Article 21(a) protects the right to freedom of expression and information.
However, in times of war, these rights are often suspended, leading to arbitrary arrests, censorship, and a general climate of fear.
This erosion of constitutional protections would undermine the very foundations of our democracy. Given these risks, it’s imperative that Liberia pursues dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the current border dispute with Guinea.
The Commander-In-Chief’s commitment to peaceful coexistence is the only sensible path forward. Let us support our leader’s vision for peace and reject the drums of war.
The people of Liberia deserve a future of stability, prosperity, and security, not the devastating consequences of conflict.
THE FATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA LIES IN THE SOUND JUDGMENT OF THE BELOW LISTED LEADERS. IF THE REPUBLIC REGRESSES OR PROGRESSES, DEPEND SOLELY ON THE EXPRESSED WISDOM OF OUR FOUR NATIONAL LEADERS.
