Prominent human rights lawyer and former Solicitor General, Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to tolerate public criticism. Gongloe reminded the President that he was himself a vocal critic of the previous government. In a public education commentary, Gongloe emphasized that criticism is a legitimate aspect of democracy.
Gongloe cited his own experiences, having criticized many governments in the past, and bears the physical evidence of it. He continues to criticize the government while offering solutions. Some Congress for Democratic Change partisans fault him when he commends the Unity Party government, while some Unity Party members and supporters label him a CDC sympathizer when he criticizes it.
Gongloe pointed to Liberia's long tradition of citizens questioning those in power. He cited Albert Porte and Tuan Wreh, who challenged the Tubman system, as well as Togba-Nah Tipoteh, Gabriel Baccus Matthews, Amos Sawyer, Dew Mayson, Oscar Quiah, and student leaders who confronted the Tolbert government. Liberians continued to speak out under the authoritarian rule of Samuel Doe and Charles Taylor.
Gongloe recalled the late Nagbe Sloh's remark on ELBC that in a democracy, citizens have the right to express their opinions. He also recalled the late Joe Mulbah's saying that "jaw-jaw is better than war-war." Gongloe emphasized that it is better for citizens to fight with words and ideas than with guns, calling this democracy's "greatest safety valve."
Gongloe argued that criticism helps governments see what they may be missing. A President surrounded by officials who always say "yes" may never hear what ordinary citizens are experiencing. He cited a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that found President Boakai's nominations to several already-occupied tenured positions violated the incumbents' due-process rights.
The Supreme Court ordered the nominations revoked. Gongloe said that is precisely why public criticism and judicial scrutiny matter. He concluded with advice to the President: "Let the people talk. Don't complain. Listen! Correct what is wrong. Explain where the government disagrees."
Gongloe emphasized that criticism is not the enemy of democracy, but silence is. He called silence "a very dangerous enemy of democracy." Gongloe's comments come amid growing criticism of the government. President Boakai's administration has faced criticism from various quarters, with some citizens expressing concerns over governance and policy implementation.
Key points
- Gongloe urges President Boakai to tolerate public criticism, citing his own past criticisms of the previous government.
- Criticism helps governments see what they may be missing, and a President surrounded by "yes" officials may never hear ordinary citizens' concerns.
- Gongloe emphasizes that criticism is not the enemy of democracy, but silence is.
