Africa-Press – Liberia. The letter, described by the PUL as “thought-provoking and timely,” critiques the persistent abuse of political power in Liberia and draws sobering parallels between past and present governance failures.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has acknowledged and commended renowned human rights lawyer and statesman, Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe, for his open letter from in which he revisits a pivotal moment in Liberia’s political history through the lens of the late Albert Porte’s seminal article, “The Day Monrovia Stood Still.”
The letter, described by the PUL as “thought-provoking and timely,” critiques the persistent abuse of political power in Liberia and draws sobering parallels between past and present governance failures. Cllr. Gongloe shared the article alongside his reflections to raise awareness about the enduring threat posed by what he terms “the arrogance of power.”
Albert Porte’s “The Day Monrovia Stood Still”—written in May 1979—offers a firsthand account of the April 14, 1979 rice riots. It chronicles how protests over a proposed increase in the price of a 30kg bag of rice turned violent, leading to deaths and the destruction of property worth millions. Porte, a towering figure in Liberian journalism and civil activism, held the government accountable for failing to take reasonable, preventative measures that could have averted the tragedy.
In his letter, Cllr. Gongloe emphasized the continuing relevance of Porte’s message. “The existence of the arrogance of power is a threat to peace and the maintenance of a stable social order in any nation,” he wrote. “From recent and current actions of political actors, the failure of reason to prevail at critical times in Liberia still continues.”
He added, “Generally, what was wrong yesterday is wrong today and may be wrong tomorrow.”
Cllr. Gongloe’s reflections draw a direct line from the events of 1979 to present-day governance challenges, warning that without meaningful introspection and reform, Liberia risks repeating the mistakes of its past.
The April 14 protest, organized by the Progressive Alliance of Liberia (PAL) under the leadership of Gabriel Baccus Matthews, was sparked by a controversial rise in rice prices and the government’s insistence on permits for peaceful demonstrations, despite constitutional protections for the right to assemble. The protest devolved into chaos after security forces cracked down, resulting in widespread casualties and damage.
In recognition of the article’s historical importance and Cllr. Gongloe’s efforts to promote critical reflection, the PUL has posted the full text of The Day Monrovia Stood Still on its bulletin board for public access.
PUL President Julius Kanubah praised Cllr. Gongloe’s initiative, saying, “We applaud Cllr. Gongloe for reigniting a national conversation about accountability, civic responsibility, and the role of memory in shaping Liberia’s future.”
Cllr. Gongloe, a lifelong advocate for press freedom and the rule of law, also served as a panelist at this year’s World Press Freedom Day, hosted by the PUL. During the event, he spoke on the theme “Sustaining Independent Journalism and Press Freedom in the Digital Age,” highlighting the media’s role in catalyzing social transformation.
“Journalists have an important role to play in spearheading the social transformation of society by creating awareness about the virtues and vices the public needs to know,” he said in his letter. “By informing people about good actions that have contributed to national progress, they are inspired to do good. Conversely, exposing harmful actions can help deter similar mistakes. The result is likely to be sustained peace, progress, and prosperity protected by the rule of law.”
The PUL echoed this sentiment, reiterating its commitment to promoting media freedom and encouraging the public to engage with Liberia’s history as a tool for civic education and democratic reform.
Albert Porte’s article were republished from The Voices of Protest, a collection by Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, and were originally posted by the Historical Preservation Society of Liberia.
In his concluding appeal, Gongloe urged the letter be widely shared among Liberian journalists and members of the public: “Please share this letter as widely as possible among the journalists of Liberia. I am sending it to some journalists also.”
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