allAfrica.com: Liberia: Exiled Politician Brumskine Returns Home to Prepare for Elections (Page 1 of 2)

Former president pro-tem of the Liberian Senate, Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine returned to his country last week after many years in exile in the United States. He fled Liberia in 1998 after he broke away from the regime of President Charles Taylor. Brumskine is planning to run for president in elections scheduled for October this year but the government of Charles Taylor has been cracking down on dissent and is battling an armed rebellion in the Northern part of Liberia - factors which have raised questions about the safety and security of Brumskine back on Liberian soil. Before he left for Monrovia, he gave allAfrica.com an interview.

Why are you returning to Liberia, amid all the uncertainties and security concerns?

I made the commitment to go home, not just for an event or a political process but because there is a need to be back in Liberia, for all of us to contribute to the building of our nation. I am going to be there, to be home, with our people to work.

Looking at the present conditions, with government cracking down on the opposition, the independent press and human rights organizations, what kind of contribution will you be able to make?

I know certainly what we will not be able to do by staying outside. By remaining in this country. Not discounting or dismissing the risks of returning to Liberia, I think it is important for all us to go home at this time, and join hands with those who believe in the rule of law to move the country forward. Our country needs to be resurrected and this is not about a personal or political agenda. I am not going there for an event. We need to put together a national agenda for rebuilding Liberia.

We read recently that you have joined one of the political parties in Liberia. What prompted that choice?

Well, I toiled with the idea for a while, thinking about which party I would join and I decided to go with Liberian Unification Party (LUP) for two reasons; that party is certainly closest to a grassroots movement, it was founded by the late Gabriel Kpolle, a schoolteacher, a humble person, and an example for all of us and it remained true to its ideals. The second reason is that in 1997, when the political parties all agree to put forward one candidate, only LUP stayed the course and never presented a presidential candidate, remaining faithful to the common agreement. And I share similar values with them. They stayed in the coalition after almost everyone broke away. They lived up to their commitment.

Looking at Kenya's experience, how important is the formation of a coalition of opposition parties?

I think it is important. I think in 1997, the Liberian electorate sent a very strong message to the politicians. When the political leaders could not hold together, the National Patriotic Party (NPP, the ruling party of Charles Taylor) of which I was a member at the time, won by some 75 percent. It is important to go back to that coalition and make sure that we present a unified front and let our people know we are united to work together for the good of the country.

How do you see such a coalition taking shape?

The formation of a coalition is in the process. LUP, LAP (Liberian Action Party) UP (Unity Party) and LPP (Liberian People's Party) - and I understand other parties have expressed interest in joining what we see as a grand coalition. A primary should be organized. Not a caucus where an elite political group choose the standard bearer.

Can you foresee the present regime allowing political campaigning? What about places like Nimba, or Buchanan.

There are no illusions about the situation. It is not stable, there are lot of security problems, everyday we read about politicians, journalists and human rights activists being harassed, jailed or accused of treasonable offenses; but the bottom line is that this is our country, we have to go into our country, we have to test the process. I believe that Mr. Taylor needs these elections even more than anyone else and I am convinced, that our collective presence would help the create the atmosphere to move the country forward.

Many people have called for the deployment of a 'stabilization force' in Liberia to maintain security during the election. Is this a condition of your participation in elections?

A stabilization force is needed in Liberia. The call came from everyone. The security situation is not stable. But the presence of that security force in Liberia does not depend on the will of the opposition but rather the Taylor government and the international community. And so far, there is no movement on the part of the international community.

Although the stabilization force may not be coming, although the environment may not be what we want, it is our duty to ensure that Mr. Taylor is not allowed to have a second term by default. That's why we think that notwithstanding the conditions, we must go in there to challenge Mr. Taylor to join us in ensuring that the process is carried forward. Therefore, we hope for an international force to come in but, no matter what happens, we will be there to exercise our constitutional and God-given rights.

web allafrica.com	Enter your search terms	Submit search form
OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine


Use our pull-down menus to find more stories

Today's Most Active Stories