May 12, 2026
Greetings! Greetings!
A true manifestation of these ceremonies is that Liberians of all works of life – young and old, powerful and powerless, rich and poor, the highly educated and those lack of western education, those steeped in African traditions and, those adulterated by non-African norms, those of religious beliefs and those wrongfully termed heathens, the earliest settlers and those who arrived later, (the descendants of both), those whose navel strings are buried in Liberia’s soil and the naturalized – espouse the sovereignty and indivisibility of the Republic of Liberia. Thanks to all of us for planning, attending, and participating in this event.
We, the members of the Voices of the Elders of the Republic of Liberia, Inc. (VOTE R/L) are elated to be one of the CSOs sponsoring this event. On January 31, this year, VOTE R/L was privileged to have Elder Dr. Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Gibson delivered the keynote address at the Elders’ Retreat. In her speech, she reminded Liberians that “A nation that listens to its Elders remembers its soul.” Cllr. Gibson aptly called the Elders “Living Archives to be consulted. When Elders speak, they are not reliving the past; they are protecting the future.”
They are persons of circumspection, discernment, faith, and wisdom derived from years of gathering experience, knowledge, and making positive impacts through service to country and humanity. She also defined Elders as “Guardians” of dialogues, justice, and inclusion, and, asked that they be “a moral compass in moments of national uncertainty; speaking early not late.” Cllr. Chesson-Gibson observed that “The tragedy of nations is that Elders grow old and their wisdom goes unused.”
Buttressed by the learned Cllr’s words, we the Officials and Members of VOTE R/L loudly and clearly gave our views, embedded in proposals, on the Guinea-Liberia border situation on April 22, 2026, in front of Providence Baptist Church, the citadel of Liberia’s Nationhood. It is befitting to, at these Unification Day celebrations, repeat a little of what we said because our views hinge on ensuring national sovereignty of the Liberian Nation.
We said that the border “situation is unwelcoming to all Liberians” and that we “uncompromisingly endorse the diplomatic process being pursued by the Government.” In no uncertain terms, we urged that “A true sense of patriotism be displayed by functionaries of the three (3) branches of the Liberian Government working in concert to resolve the matter. Such will promote national unity, generate respect from foreign Governments for Liberia’s Nationhood and sovereignty; and sustain the national pride of the Liberian people.”
I think highly of those who sit in high places in Government, in the church, in business, and in other fields of life. While treating all with respect, I totally reject the views of those, including ones covered by immunity from prosecution, hiding behind “freedom of speech”, and with lips dripping with seditious verbal diarrhea, who say that our military is of numerical nonentity in manpower and machinery. I beg to differ with them!
My Bible tells me of a shepherd boy, David, who faced a giant, Goliath, yet saved a glorious day. History tells me of Paul Revere whose shouts: “The British are coming! The British are coming!” mobilized a ragtag group of men against the world’s then superpower in search of their freedom. And, as Patrick Henry believed, standing in St. John Church, in Virginia, USA, March 23, 1775, I, standing in the auditorium of Lux in Teni bris 251 years later, also believe that “There is a just God Who presides over the destinies of nations and Who will raise up friends…” to help us bring a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the border issue.
Liberians are not unpatriotic individuals who shall fall to cravens no matter how high the pedestal on which they sit. Instead, “with valor unpretending” Liberians shall protect their country. Cravens are oblivious, though clothed with big titles and power, to the courage and resilience of Liberians that they are not of “blunt sword” but of “keener steel”.
The people of Guinea and Liberia are hardwired by kinship and proximity. This reality and noting God’s command: “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your Fathers have set” – Proverbs 22:28 earlier stated in Deuteronomy 19:14, make me confident that the two (2) Governments, additionally listening to the Elders, shall grab the steady hilt of brotherly-sisterly love in resolving all differences between them.
When it comes to the current recruitment exercises of the military, we were told at one of our Elders’ meetings by the Head of Rural Women, Ma. Kebbeh, that she has reservations on the policy that high school dropouts are not qualified to apply. She said that there are many able and loyal rural women who wish to join the military, but years ago dropped out of school because of reasons such as unwanted pregnancies and financial destitution.
She asked us to contact the appropriate authorities, pleading for a re-visitation of this policy, confident that the Elders will be heard. I, therefore, in the name of the Elders of Liberia, noting these known reasons and being aware of the high illiteracy rate in Liberia; and of the conviction that “book” education is not a valid prerequisite to join any military. Thus, I respectfully cry out to the authorities to allow high school dropouts to join the Liberian Military.
Further, I again respectfully ask that the Military conduct adult literacy and vocational classes and, I need not say, in addition to Military training. Some of us Elders will offer our services pro bono. Mr. President of Liberia, as we celebrate Unification Day and, nearing our natal day, I respectfully ask that the Government arrange for the brave young nationalists who, “with valor unpretending”, seen worldwide, wrought to re-hoist the Liberian flag on Liberian land at the Guinea-Liberia border, to be paraded through the principal streets of Monrovia and decorated by the Government.
When we showcase them, the doubters that this land is unified will see otherwise. Women will drop their wrappers for them to walk on and, thousands will cheer the men on. I saw such a show of patriotism and unity when Tubman declared Mars Saah of Gambian origin, a Liberian citizen, qualifying him to play for Liberia in an international soccer match against Ghana. Another time, also in the 60s, when Liberian soldiers returned from a peacekeeping mission in Congo (Kinshasa), thousands turned out to welcome them home, dancing and wailing in honor of Liberians returning from “war”.
Through the eyes of faith, it will happen again when our boys from Lofa do not remain nameless and faceless after they showed bravery and nationalism.
I speak on the border matter at this occasion because VOTE R/L has vowed to remain “constructively engaged with this issue” and to widely disseminate its Statement for all to participate in bringing a happy ending to the situation. My God! My God! Forsake not Liberia, this Glorious Land of Liberty by Your command.
Thank you.
