2 July 2009
editorial
THE CHANGE OF faces and names in government is as normal as human secretion. But in a politically charged society, every appointment raises eyebrows and both the appointer and the appointee often find themselves before the judgment throne of public opinion when ever political appointments are made. The naming of young Marc Amblard as the next Inspector General of Liberia of all other appointments recently made by President Sirleaf in the shakeup of her government stands out seemingly as a surprise to, or a pin in the flesh of, some politically hypersensitive individuals. As if it were an attempt to thwart the Amblard appointment, some individuals have begun drumming up what seems to be half-baked information bordering the competence of the Inspector General-Designate. And one way that is being done is by portraying Amblard as a mere agriculture scholar with no experience in police or security training.
OURS IS NOT to contest the purpose and intent of such anti-Amblard propaganda. All we seek to do is to release contrary information we gathered on the competence and experience of the newly nominated Police Director, and challenge every citizen find a stake in national security matters. While we don't intend to make ourselves bondsmen of the new Inspector General's outputs should he is finally confirmed by the Senate, we simply want history to record that in national controversy, The Analyst did intervene with balanced and thorough researched information to enrich, if not end, debates and disagreements. That is why, as we often do, go at extra length to find and avail the other sides of issues and information.
AS WE HAVE already captured in our Thursday, July 2, edition, there is no question about the competence and experience of Marc A. Amblard to make an Inspector-General with a difference. Research conducted--documents perused, synthesized and verified and people spoken to--show that Amblard only had his first college degree in Agriculture but beyond that has chewed, swallowed and digested the large portion of his academic and professional materials with security, law enforcement and administration contents. Competence and experience is therefore not the issue here. The question is whether the political environment, which is being proving prematurely hostile to him, will permit the new Liberia National Police chief translate into practice his skills and expertise for which he's hailed in many quarters both at home and broad.
NO DOUBT, THE Liberian security situation is exceedingly fragile. Morales have grounded to ground zero. Crimes are on the increase. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) has taken a new meaning, (acquired integrity delinquency syndrome) AIDS. Amid the gloomy situation, the ability of the state is impaired by economic factors. Resources are scarce for Government to measure up to its principal mandate of protecting life and property. It is in wake of these appalling circumstances that Inspector General-Designate is taking over the Liberia National Police which is a prime frontline fighter against crime, violence and integrity delinquency.
WE ARE NOT oblivious to the fact that Inspector-Designate Marc Amblard has a crucial challenge. He has got the challenge to pursue the police reform program to its logical conclusion. He's got the challenge to rebuild and harness the esprit de corps of the LNP; to give new commoners as well as "old hands" in the LNP a sense of patriotism and sense of national service. Amblard faces the challenge of simmering AWOLs and defections in the security due to hardship in the Liberian security realm. He faces the challenge of bad blood between the police and the people, an age old problem that foments suspicions between the two. But we are taking solace in the astuteness and competence of the new police boss and whatever support the government and people of Liberia can accord him to make Liberia safe.
HOWEVER, HOPEFUL THAT the credential and experience of the new Police Director will stand up to the challenges, these can be virtually pointless without the kind of support that the Liberian police force needs from government and the community. Security is the business of all. This is while as we welcome the new Director of Police, we cannot place premium only on one man's academic credential and professional experience. We must ask ourselves what we hope to offer in making security guaranteed for all.
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