Are We Ready For A "President" Charles Walker Brumskine?


by Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
Wed. February 5, 2003

Charles Walker Brumskine made political history recently when he left the comfort and safety of the United States to return to his native Liberia, where he probably could be murdered because of his opposition to President Charles Taylor.

Yes, it is the same Charles Walker Brumskine, who, as Senator and President pro-tempro of the Liberian Senate, abruptly left the warm shores of Liberia years ago for the frigid shores of the United States, after falling out with the president he served and supported so well for many years.
The sudden transformation of Mr. Brumskine from a pro-Taylor guy in another life, to an anti-Taylor guy in this life is a subject of countless speculations and debates, because in most cases transformations are not taken lightly, especially when the transformed is believed to have quietly supported the policies of a brutal dictator who jeopardized the lives of his fellow countrymen and women.

After Mr. Brumskine fled Liberia, another loyal supporter of the president, the deceased Kekura Kpoto filled in and began where Brumskine stopped, and blindly pushed Mr. Taylor's policies no matter how bad those policies are to the Liberian people. Had the shameless Kpoto fallen out with Taylor in the process, he too would've gone into exile, only to later become an opposition leader. Sad, isn't it?

As President Pro-tempro of the Liberian Senate, Mr. Brumskine became the leader of the upper house and Chairman of the Rules Committee. Charles Brumskine was also responsible for administration, policy agenda and relationships with his colleagues and the Executive Branch.

It is obvious that Charles Brumskine never instigated the brutal killings of Sam Dokie and his family, the suspicious death of former Vice President Enoch Dokolea, and that of those taxi drivers who died on the streets of Monrovia at the cold hands of government officials while earning a living. But as a card-carrying senior member of the ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP), Senator and President Pro-tempro, or even a private citizen with national political aspirations, Brumskine had the chance to leave behind a trail of condemnations of those evil acts to show that he care.

With all that, it is safe to say that Brumskine's role in the Taylor government, supposedly representing the people of Grand Bassa County in the Liberian Senate was a highly visible one which shouldn't be forgotten. The good, bad and ugly parts of the man's political life ought to be put before the Liberian people, who, rightfully so, should decide his fate.

However, in a climate of intolerance, when the expression of raw ideas can be an unpopular move that can result in death, exile and the making of enemies for anyone with an opposing view, it wouldn't surprise me if I am jumped on by supporters of Mr. Brumskine, for even suggesting that their candidate was once a go-along guy whose actions spoke louder than his words during his glorious days in Liberia.

Because politicians are adept at changing into something other than themselves, Brumskine, the ultimate pro did a superb job when he transformed into the other Brumskine; the 'bold and patriotic' one who took a giant step forward in his political career by redefining an image that is too hard to believe.

It is an image of a courageous Brumskine defying death and refusing to be denied the chance to return to a country many of his peers are hesitant to return to, in order to seriously contest the presidency. Political commentators, pundits and others will not hesitate to jump on the Brumskine band wagon, applauding him for a decisive move, because it takes courage to contest a presidency in Liberia these days.

Words out of Liberia these days speak highly of Brumskine's courageous return to his country. And the Liberian people are responding positively, because, unlike others who are only engaged in endless rhetoric and the usual excuse that their life's in danger once they return to Liberia, Brumskine and his supporters are optimistic about 2003. That alone is a reason to applaud Mr. Brumskine for moving back to where the action is: Liberia.

However, up to this day, it is unclear as to whether Charles Brumskine ever officially resign his membership from Taylor's National Patriotic Party, since he clearly is the perceived front-runner in the Liberian Unification Party's attempt to win the Executive Mansion. I am unaware of where Charles Brumskine stands on key issues that are confronting Liberia today.

With the 2003 presidential elections right around the corner, and the much-hated Taylor is also around as our usual punching bag, there's a need for Brumskine to come forward and tell us where he stand on key issues, and why the Liberian people should trust him with their country.




Sungbeh Communications 2002