U.S. allyship under scrutiny in Liberia

Editor's note: Francis Pelenah Jr, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Liberian with a background in journalism, communications, economics and public affairs. The article reflects the author's opinion and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Since the founding of Liberia, reportedly by free slaves from the Americas in 1822, the United States and the West African nation developed what is believed to be a special relationship for about 200 years. Throughout those years, there have been hard questions that both sides have often avoided. Key among them is, what has Liberia actually gained from having a "special relationship" with the United States as a "traditional ally"? Liberians have long been concerned, but are often afraid to ask, about the dividends of this so-called traditional allyship, given the country's lack of development. Even 21 years after the end of the civil war in 2003, Liberia remains persistently backward and underdeveloped, with the majority of its people living in abject poverty.

So when it was time to celebrate the country's 177th independence anniversary in July, many were concerned as to what was being celebrated. Was it Liberia's sovereignty, that's largely dictated by Washington? The national orator for the occasion, Robtel Neajai Pailey, pointed out in her speech the things she believes have kept Liberia backward and what must be done if it wants to move in the right direction.

She said, "We must forge new strategic partnerships based on mutual benefit and disabuse ourselves of the notion that we have a 'special relationship' with America. Truth be told, this so-called 'special relationship' only exists in our imagination. Lest we forget, the United States was one of the last countries to recognize our independence. Lest we forget, the United States has taken more from us than it has given. Lest we forget, the United States will always serve its own interests above all else. Once we accept these truths, we will appreciate that a re-imagined Liberia can never be anyone's 'stepchild.'"

The U.S. Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Catherine Rodriguez and other U.S. Embassy officials walked out of the program, triggering a nationwide debate and bringing U.S.-Liberia relations under intense scrutiny. The embassy later issued a justification, stating "Independence Day celebrations should be a time for hope, unity and celebration. Introducing divisive rhetoric and unfounded accusations during such an event undermines its purpose. The CDA's decision to walk out was a measured response to maintain the event's decorum and spirit."

Imagine U.S. leaders sitting in Washington and bullying other countries around the world and then demonstrating a high level of intolerance when criticisms are directed at them. The CDA's behavior was not only an insult to the Liberian government and people, but also disrespected the "freedom of speech" the U.S. orders governments of smaller countries to adhere to. The U.S. criticizes leaders of other countries for alleged suppression of free expression but elects to walk out of another country's Independence Day celebration, in the presence of national and international leaders.

Liberians have long celebrated the U.S., modeling the national flag and anthem on U.S. counterparts, and even naming the capital after the fifth U.S. President James Monroe. But every year, Liberians spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery and millions more on non-refundable visa application fees and other associated costs to travel to the United States. The U.S. has not given Liberia anything free. Pailey was not wrong to exhort Liberia not to accept being a "stepchild" to the United States.

Eyes are now opening to the rampant bullying Liberia has suffered over the years in the hands of the United States. For example, in the late 1980s, the U.S. supported Charles Taylor's rebellion against then Liberian President Samuel K. Doe. But in 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush demanded that President Charles Taylor should "leave now." Soon after that pronouncement, support to the rebel group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy increased and the rebels advanced on the capital with U.S. weapons.

The U.S. coerced Liberian authorities to lease roughly about 10 percent of the country's arable land to American rubber company Firestone in 1926 for little or nothing. Firestone is yet to build a processing factory in Liberia, instead exporting raw latex and only creating low-paid rubber tapping jobs for Liberian workers. The list of these controlling manipulations is unending.

The U.S. Embassy said the U.S. provides foreign assistance amounting to $163 million annually to Liberia. But every project supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development takes back a huge percentage of the project fund to accommodate expats from the U.S., leaving little impact on the livelihood of those targeted as direct beneficiaries. This has been the order of the day in Liberia.

It is time to get serious and ask hard questions to the people in Washington. Liberians must now take heed from the orator's speech and demand greater respect for their sovereign rights and a stop to the export of raw materials from their resource-rich country.

There is also a need to change Liberia's national flag design, national anthem, national honors and the nation's capital, that are all modeled after the United States. There is no point being called the "little America in Africa." Liberia must now open up to true partners like China and others that have always maintained mutual respect, and would never interfere in its domestic affairs. 

A majority of the current public infrastructure in Liberia was constructed by China. Yet America calls itself Liberia's "traditional ally," and tries to prevent Liberia from pushing for economic diplomacy that will develop it. If the U.S. can't help develop the country to the level citizens want, it's high time it steps aside and allows others with good intention to help lift it out of abject poverty and strengthen its place in the comity of nations.

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