Liberian News: ‘Rise Above Your Pride And Politics’

Monrovia-A steward of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and former Campaign Spokesperson of the CDC, Cllr Kanio Bai Gbala is urging former Liberian President George M. Weah to rise above pride and politics to reclaim the moral high ground.

In an open letter to the former President and the Liberian people, Cllr. Gbala strongly urged Weah to find his better self and reach out not merely through symbolic gestures or public goodwill visits but with sincere, direct engagement to acknowledge and resolve the grievances that are so rawly expressed and deeply felt.

On his social media page, Cllr. Gbala who hails from Grand Gedeh County said as a proud Grand Gedean and a bona fide member of the CDC, “I feel honor-bound to offer my perspective on the ongoing matter between former President Weah and the Doe family.”

He added, “While I recognize the deeply rooted emotions and the far-reaching implications of this issue, it is evident that former President Weah did not exercise the necessary diligence and sensitivity in his treatment of the Doe family particularly in his handling of matters involving the former First Lady. If this issue is not thoughtfully addressed, it risks spiraling into a national controversy.”

He called on Weah to rise above pride and politics to reclaim the moral high ground saying, “I strongly urge him to find his better self and reach out not merely through symbolic gestures or public goodwill visits but with sincere, direct engagement to acknowledge and resolve the grievances that are so rawly expressed and deeply felt.”

Cllr. Gbala furthered, “Having listened to Madam Nancy Doe’s testimony, a woman with whom President Weah once had a close and respectful relationship, I was profoundly disturbed. He allowed the pageantry of the Presidency to overshadow his better judgment, discipline, and human sensibilities. His alleged treatment of the former First Lady was discourteous and disrespectful, to say the very least.”

The former CDC Campaign Spokesman noted that as someone who enjoys close ties to the Doe family, “I must remind all that President Weah ascended to the Presidency through the blood, sacrifices, and unwavering support of Grand Gedeans. He should have exercised greater caution and empathy in his interactions with Madam Doe. Moreover, he ought to have played an active role in restoring the family’s confiscated properties and privileges items that were unjustly taken by individuals and by the Government of Liberia itself.”

Gbala added that while he does not agree with the manner in which the contributions made by President Weah are being portrayed and debated in the media, he believed the sentiments and emotional responses coming from the Doe family are justified. He said these are not merely media antics but are the outpourings of years of repressed pain and residual animosity.

“In light of this, I respectfully call on my sister, Veronica Mamie Doe, to desist from further media appearances and call on all sides, supporters, critics, and all political actors to lay down their verbal weapons, calm their passions, and refrain from further escalation until our mother, the former First Lady, is peacefully laid to rest.”

He said following the funeral, he will stand beside Mamie Doe and the entire Doe family in demanding a sincere and long-overdue apology from former President Weah. “One that reflects not just acknowledgment, but atonement.”

Cllr. Gbala noted that this saga portrays President Weah poorly in the public and will impact his political future if care is not taken and an immediate redress is not achieved. “Former President Weah should not let history judge him by what he was able to personally achieved, but by how he honors those who paved the way for his historic and marvelous ascent to stardom and global acclaim,” he among other things concluded.

New Republic Liberia

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.