By Josephus Moses Gray
Monrovia, Liberia

 

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

August 10, 2004

During the six years of the National Patriotic Party (NPP)-led brutal regime headed by the then deposed former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, one of the continent’s fearful and brutal leader, a war crimes inductee, several Liberians and foreign nationals have fled the country, while others in the Diaspora chose not to return home for fear of falling into the wicket hands of the perpetrators of human rights abuses and violence.

But since the departure of former president Taylor on August 11, 2003, into the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the subsequent coming into force of the comprehensive peace agreement, the Liberian capital has seen the return of several Liberian exiles – the assessment visit of Mr. George H. Nubo

Key among those who interacted with The Perspective Managing Editor Nubo and the magazine’s Monrovia correspondent, Mr. Joseph Moses Gray, included Dr. Togba Nah Tipoteh, standard bearer of the Liberia Poeple Party (LPP), Cllr. H. Varney G. Sherman, a presidential hopeful of the Liberia Action Party (LAP) and Mr. Napoleon Toquie, Chairman of the consolidating Political parties (CRPP).

Others were Dr. C. William Allen, Minister of Information, culture and tourism, Cllr. Frances Johnson -Morris, Chairman of the Election Commission, Hon. Conmany Wesseh and Hon. Samuel S. T. Wilson, members of the first branch of Government, Mr. Ezekiel Pajibo, executive Director of the center for democratic empowerment (CEDE) as well as social workers, journalists, human rights defenders and ordinary Liberians. Despite of the short stay in the country, Mr. Nubo used the opportunity to visit some of the houses and offices of the local NGOs including the independent Inquirer Newspaper and the Mano River Relief & development network (MRRDN), where he interacted with the staff of each institution.

Besides, The Perspective boss also attended the nation 157 Independence successfully celebrated at the Barclay Training Center (BTC), a military barrack greatly destroyed by former president Taylor and former sister comrade lawmaker, Myrtle Gibson.

The Independence Day was wildly celebrated across Monrovia and its environs, with a grand parade through the principal streets of Monrovia and BTC, marked by a beautiful displayed of skills and passing review by both military as well as para-military groups.

Top on the list of those who attended the independence day celebration were Chairman Gyude Bryant and his Sierra Leone counterpart President Ahmed Tijan Kabbah, Ambassador Jacque Paul Klein and officials of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), officials of the transitional government, representatives of political parties to the Liberian Peace Accord, foreign mission, lawmakers, and members of the supreme court bench, representatives of national legislative, opinion leaders and local government officials, among others.

Unlike Central Monrovia, the Independence Day was wildly celebrated on Bushrod island, Gardnerville, Barnesville areas, as if it was Christmas. The day was marked by merry-making to the degree that the inhabitants took over the entertainments and night clubs.

Perhaps, the residents of the area choose to celebrate the independence day in grand style because during the 156th independence day, they never had the opportunity to rest in peace, as they were running for their lives.

It was on this day that LURD forces and loyalists of Mr. Taylor tried ton undo each other in a fearless/ fearful and bloody 24-hours gun battle following the forceful but failed attempts by Taylor men to recapture the Freeport of Monrovia, which at that time was controlled by the LURD-forces while LURD forces too were fighting to cross the Gabriel Tucker bridge to inter the city center.

It was on this day that rockets and mortals as well as heavy artillery fell in different directions in the city thereby claiming several innocent lives, injuring hundred others and destroyed millions of dollars worth of properties.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nubo who fell ill enroute to the United States to the point that he was rushed to the emergency room is said to be responding to treatment.

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