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Liberia Nobel Laureate, Leymah Gbowee.

After years of civil war and strife, Liberians have been optimistic about the prospect of our beloved country overcoming the negativity that we have lived through, where we all individually saw countless loved ones go on to the next life due to a senseless war.

Recently, we are seeing the disturbing phenomenon of our country falling into a dark abyss - and this is draining up our positive energies - instead of a continuous rise to assume our rightful place amongst the comity of nations. This disconcerting development has compelled me to make these few comments on the unfolding national issues.

The members of our 53rd National Congress need to recommit to the oath taken upon accepting their jobs given to them by the people of Liberia. They need to start actually supporting and defending the Constitution of Liberian, upholding the laws they swore to enforce, and faithfully discharging their duties. Our Lawmakers must take on positive fights, collectively or individually, for the constituents that they represent. It is important that the National Legislature takes a firm and proactive stance on Representative Edward Forh. I recommend the immediate suspension of Representative Forh from all legislative related matters, pending investigation.

I would also like to categorically denounce the physical attacks on the persons of Ms. Miatta Fahnbulleh and Madam Mary Broh. While I in no way support their actions of obstructing the House'smandate to incarcerate Superintendent Grace Kpan, I strongly believe that the actions of their attackers were wrong. Nevertheless, as custodians of society, it is important to us as Women of Liberia to redefine advocacy and respect the due process of law.

As to the youth of the country) your frustrations are understood because those who should be your role models and show you leadership are continuously failing and not projecting as positively as they should be. However, respect for the rule of law can never be replaced by vigilante justice and violence. Those illegal options can and will never be an appropriate alternative. As future leaders of Liberia it is important that you always approach "perceived injustice" from a non-violent perspective.

Finally, my fellow Liberians, we need deep, and most importantly spiritual, introspection across the length and breadth of this land. We need to do less talking and more investigation, indictment, and prosecution of corrupt officials. We need to ensure we are a nation of laws, and not one of preferred or untouchable individuals. We need great commitment to country and not to benefactors. We need patriotic and hardworking citizens, not individuals who are self seeking. And, we need to do more praying for our country.

Let us put aside those attitudes that easily divide us and hold together as one people. This is the only Liberia that we have and we must continue to work — no matter how grueling it gets - to uphold the hard earned peace and democracy we have fought for) and that which our loved ones have died for in our country.