This, too, is Liberia.

Written Friday, 20 June 2009:

So, my trip today to Bomi [last Friday] was, not terribly surprisingly, cancelled. This is the third failed attempted to get out into the field with my government counterparts. However, this time, it’s actually not their fault. The rubber workers of Guthrie are on strike in the region we were planning on going to. They haven’t been paid in ?????. Apparently, the sight of UN and government cars are often the target of angry striking people, and therefore, we were forced to stay at the office today. This, too, is Liberia (a favorite phrased used by the people when things just don’t go right – it was bound to be the title of a blog entry sooner or later….)

It’s not the end of the world, I do have things to do. I’m actually researching Agro-processing in Ghana to see if we can set up some informational meetings/small training sessions there with people who are doing it on a large-scale (though it’s been impossible to contact anyone so far. . . anyone know anyone in Ghana?). Also, trying to get an outline together about the information I’ve been gathering about communal farming policy. Looking over the City Ordinances for Monrovia and a suburb, Brewerville (pronounced Bro-ville) and outline the role of City Officals. There’s some political reason they want the mayor out so we are looking in to the legal road to do that. . . or something. Also trying to generalize that Ordinance to create a template for all other cities in Liberia. I like the farming aspect of the job best :)

* * *

We actually ended up going to Brewerville today to pick up some documents. The mayor was just outside of town at the Unity Conference Center where they were holding closing ceremonies for the Truth and Reconciliation Conference (TRC). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, also TRC, is responsible for bringing peace and reconciliation back to Liberia, a lofty goal. Their mandate calls for them to 1.) investigate gross human rights violations; 2.) provide a forum to address issues of impunity as well as allow both victims and perpetrators to tell their sides of the story; 3.) investigate the roots of the conflict; 4.) conduct a critical review of Liberia’s history to address socio-economic and political causes of conflict; 5.) specifically address the atrocities committee against women, children, and vulnerable groups and pay special attention to gender based violence; 6.) publically report all findings. (https://www.trcofliberia.org/)

We were at the Conference just for an hour or so – and didn’t actually see anything, except for the arrival of the Vice President. I also found a woman selling Moringa seeds outside so I bought a bunch from her and got her number. That was rather exciting. (Moringa was a tree that was all over Gambia and is really healthy – but isn’t around here too much). This is a somewhat dull blog post, but more interesting ones to follow this afternoon . . . . . .