CLARIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL

By Setuah H. Williams (December 4th 2004)

".... I was drawn particularly to allegations by Mr. Jackson of Mr.Weah's sexual preference ("In his attempt to make Weah invulnerable the fellow foolishly asserts that Weah is unblemished and a reconciler when in fact the allegation that Weah is a gay hovers over him undispelled") and felt that Mr. Jackson could very well have accomplished his article without referencing Mr. Weah being gay since as he himself indicated it was an allegation..."

I read with interest an article published by the weekly Vanguard Newspaper captioned:  When Duffers Begin Praise Singing: A Rejoinder To Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly’s Falsehood In Disguise.  The article was written by  Mr.  Isaac W. Jackson, II. 

I did not read the article to which Mr. Jackson II seemed to be making reference but was able to understand the context of his message based on well articulated references to what he seemed to be responding to.

Mr. Jackson, seemed to project his response from two perspectives.  Firstly a clear disagreement of Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly's opinion of Mr. George Weah's bid for the Liberian Presidency and secondly a gross bitterness for insults alledgedly utter against his (Jackson's) father by Sheikh Dukuly. 

I was drawn particularly to allegations by Mr. Jackson of Mr.Weah's sexual preference ("In his attempt to make Weah invulnerable the fellow foolishly asserts that Weah is unblemished and a reconciler when in fact the allegation that Weah is a gay hovers over him undispelled") and felt that Mr. Jackson could very well have accomplished his article without referencing Mr. Weah being gay since as he himself indicated it was an allegation.

I was not shocked by the reference as I am sure many other Liberians are since I have been in a number of gatherings now where that allegation has been made since Mr. Weah entered the heavily contested presidential race.

There is not doubt that Mr. Weah himself does not have the political maturity to understand the implications of lingering allegations as significant as such but at the very least it is the responsibility of those who consider themselves as advisors to the candidate to clearly, timely and definitively address such an issue. 

For those who have been priviledged to follow the American political process one thing that is quickly learned is that candidates who avoid clearly addressing negative news and issues soon realize that poll numbers will begin to dip and will continue to do so until such issues are addressed to the satisfaction of the voters. 

Perhaps Mr. Weah camp's might hope that the allegations will blow over.  Perhaps they might be inclined to think that it might be a non issue to Liberian voters.  Perhaps they might be right.  But I don't think that is a risk the campaign needs to be taking if it stands any chance of being seen as a legitmate force ten months from now. 

I have been away from Liberia for close to two decades so I know a lot has changed in Liberia and certainly not for the better. But I would clearly doubt that Liberians are receptive to having the first gay president and lingering accusations unaddressed by the campaign will become a field day when campaign officially begins.  Mr. Weah's camp needs to address this issue and put it at bay once and for all.  Failue to do that will not be doing justice to the candidate they claim to support.  Clarification is Needed!