ELLEN ADDRESSES THE NATION

The long standing divide between the settler and indigenous population has its genesis in the nature of the country’s settlement and in the lack of a common cause or unifying force such as that which pertained in the colonized countries of the continent. The concept of a national identity has thus not been an inherent part of our national psyche. Additionally, the two sides of the social divide maintained, for much too long separate distinct group identities – in speech, dress, lifestyle, and culture. President Tubman in his Unification Policy introduced a break from that undesirable proclivity. However, in reality the ideal of equality represented in his official policy remained lacking in structure and substance. Thus, although the ward system and intermarriages heightened the process of assimilation, despite the lack of adequate policy action, it was not until the coup d’etat of 1980 that the divide between the settler and indigenous groups was permanently punctured.

That is the legacy.

Although studies indicate that today the divide is more along income rather than ethnic lines, yet we must recognize that vestiges of this divided social order still remain and could once again be used for political purposes


The Unity Party will confront this issue with policies and actions that ensure full unity and equal opportunity for all Liberians. A rewrite of our history to give due recognition to the role, lifestyle and contribution to nation building of the indigenous population would be a good place to start.

Additionally a revisit of those dividing symbols such as those mentioned in my statement at the 1972 CWA commencement and those subsequently detailed more eloquently by Unity Party founding member Edward Binyan Kesseley, may be required. For example, let us not be timid in seeking changes in the national motto, the flag, the wording of citations of merit, and the constitution.

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Liberia: Violence, Discrimination and Impunity

The justice system (Amnesty International 9/05 Report on Liberia)

UNMIL’s mandate includes assisting the transitional government to develop, in cooperation with judicial institutions, a strategy for consolidating a national legal framework. The objective is to develop and implement pragmatic solutions for the problems and challenges facing Liberia’s justice system – including re-establishment of the Law School – with the overall aim of restoring the rule of law. The Legal and Judicial Division of UNMIL, present since early 2004, has made assessments of the system, as have other UN agencies, the US Department of Justice, and international non governmental organizations such as the Open Society Justice Initiative. Despite the many assessments undertaken so far only the Legal and Judicial Division has provided support through technical expertise.

The assessments highlight the lack of sufficiently qualified personnel and a low level of professionalism, resources and incentives for judges, prosecutors, lawyers and others in the judicial system. There has been little oversight of their work in the past, contributing substantially to the lack of capacity in this sector. Few people in Liberia have access to the justice system. Prisons and police detention facilities are overcrowded, and most of the inmates are detained without charge or trial. Hardly any detainees and defendants can afford lawyers, and there are not enough lawyers to provide free legal counsel in such cases.

During her visit in July 2005, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed the importance of an independent and professional judiciary, and said the dysfunctional judicial system was having a severe impact on the creation of a human rights environment in Liberia.

AI Index: AFR 34/003/2005
19 September 2005