Kai Farley, center, one of the less well-known Liberians on the travel ban list. Farley was commander of the rebel group Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL). Picture from here.
Foreigners often bemoan what they term the unwillingness of Liberians to work together and solve their own problems. Here’s some supporting evidence for the counter-argument, though perhaps not an example I will want to pull out frequently in debates…
Star Radio reports that several Liberians on the travel ban list have begun to advocate jointly for their removal from the list. The informal coalition includes Randolph Cooper, Cyril Allen, John Richardson, Rep. Edwin Snowe, Rep. Kai Farley, and Sen. Jewel Howard-Taylor.
Their argument is that the UN keeps shifting its rational for the ban. First the UN said they were prohibited from leaving the country so that the peace process in Sierra Leone would not be hindered. Then the justification was their continued ties with Charles Taylor. They argue that with peace in Sierra Leone, and Taylor behind bars, the ban is unnecessary.
Star Radio says, “They want the Liberian government to intervene in what they termed advanced punishment without due process or the benefit to be tried for any wrong-doing.”
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