ALVIN WORZI
Africa-Press – Liberia. Chief Zanzan Kawor, the National Orator for Liberia’s 176th Independence Day Celebration, has stunned the nation by publicly endorsing President George Weah’s bid for reelection.
Kawor, whose declaration came unexpectedly, called on opposition politicians to cease their battle against the President who is up for reelection come October 10, and instead focus on finding ways to develop the country.
“The people who are in the opposition should think about development in other areas for the people. But the only thing they want is to fight their leader, which is not in our tradition as a people,” Kawor said in his native Bassa, which was then translated into English by a government-hired translator.
“Don’t embarrass the traditional people. We can’t fight the hand that feeds us,” the Orator added as he threw jabs at Weah’s opponents. “I thought the opposition would have joined the President to do more for the traditional people. Let me let you know the person who feeds people, people will follow them.”
Kawor, whose role as the head of the National Traditional Council of Liberia is expected to be non-political, has sparked a flurry of debate with his decision within the country’s political circles with many questioning the rationality.
His speech was on the theme, “Giving Our People Hope For A Violence Free, Fair, Transparent and Inclusive And Credible Elections”. However, not much was said about the need for free elections.
Analysts believe Kawor’s decision has effectively undermined any role he and the traditional Council are expected to play in any pre- and post-election crisis if it emerges.
His endorsement comes at a time when Weah faces a serious challenge for the presidency from former Vice President Joseph Boakai and Alexander Cummings.
It is unclear whether Kawor’s decision was approved by the Traditional Council, a body which he has failed to take to elections — always citing lack of funding — thereby perpetuating his tenure.
But what is certain is that Kawor, as a respected traditional endorsement, holds significant weight and could potentially sway public opinion towards Weah.
The Chief, knowing that his decision would attract serious criticism, has cited Weah’s ‘goodwill gesture’ of funding to the Traditional Council as the reason behind the endorsement.
Kawor named 30 vehicles, 150 motorbikes, and 15 ambulances, as some of the donations the Council has received from the President, and later claimed that he thought that opposition politicians would have joined the President “to do more” for them instead of fighting Weah.
“The way I see President George Weah when you look at him, he looks like a young person but he thinks like an elder,” Kawor noted. “Therefore, as a traditional leader, we are prepared to collaborate with you to pay our taxes to develop Liberia.”
“I thought the opposition would have joined the President to do more for the traditional people. Let me let you know the person who feeds people, and people will follow them. Wait, when it’s your time, it’s your time.
“Our Culture and Religion have established norms that must be respected at all times. Our culture also says that we must respect our leaders and so we don’t fight our President,” he said.
Kawor mentioned the President’s “goodwill gesture” comes about a year after Weah had donated about 45 vehicles and 150 motorbikes to the Council to ensure efficiency in the day-to-day operations of the Council members.
Meanwhile, Kawor has blamed “Americo Liberians” for allegedly failing to practice tenets of good governance when they came to Liberia about two centuries ago.
He claimed that after more than 170 years, Liberia is nowhere in terms of development and not comparable to other countries in the subregion as he absolved the Weah administration of any fault.
Kawor then accused what he described as “the minority elite” of marginalizing the indigenous people of Liberia and fueling bad governance and said that his selection to serve as orator shows that the President has respect and honor for culture and traditional leaders.
As Kawor spoke, some of the country’s leading opposition figures or politicians were notably absent from the occasion marking the Independence Day celebration at the Centennial Pavilion on Ashmun Street.
Prominent politicians who were absent are Boakai, Cummings, Tiawan Gongloe, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, and Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
It is unclear whether these politicians were extended an invitation or not. As for Boakai, he left for the U.S about a week before the Independence Day festivities for some personal family matters.
The hall of the centennial pavilion was poorly attended with many empty seats would be seen around. In attendance were the President of Ghana, Nana Addo D. Akufo-Addo; President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow; and Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Meanwhile, Weah, in his Independence Day message lauded Chief Karwor for the oration, which the President claimed was beautiful.
Weah said he is convinced that Kawor’s message has resonated with all Liberians, as it did with him, and that it will have a meaningful impact on the country’s unity, peace, and forward progress.
“It is also my hope that the message in today’s oration will inspire us to re-examine ourselves and continue relentlessly in our pursuit of national reconciliation.
“We must remember that the adoption of the Declaration of Independence was done simultaneously with the first Constitution of Liberia,” the President said. “In this regard, the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution constitutes Independence Day.”
He added that all Liberians have a collective duty and obligation to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution and the theme of this year’s celebration is therefore a reminder to everyone to do so for the country and God.
“Today, I reiterate, with renewed resolve, my commitment to patriotically discharge the responsibilities imposed on me as your leader, in the promotion and preservation of the fundamental rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution, and to strive to create an atmosphere that is conducive to the free and unrestricted right to exercise your franchise in a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive process. I promise that the conduct of the October 10th General and Presidential Elections will be credible, and will meet all national and international standards,” Weah maintained.
He said although he is the Chief Executive Administrator of the country, the success he is promising does not rest with him alone.
“The inclusiveness of this exercise requires the full and committed participation of all our citizens and friendly partners. Above all, it requires the unreserved commitment of those political stakeholders who are vying for positions in these forthcoming elections, as well as their followers.
“It should be understood that, while our individual and collective political interests are uppermost, those desires should not be put above the interest and general well-being of the country, which is indeed our collective interest,” the President noted.
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