Former Liberian President William R. Tolbert Makes A Passionate Speech About The Rice Riot Of 1979

At least 41 demonstrators protesting a proposed increase in the price of rice were shot and killed by army and police forces here, triggering a wave of anarchy that resulted in property damage estimated at $35 million. More than 400 people were injured.

“April 14” has also triggered a period of national soul‐searching, debate and discussion. “It's a free‐for‐all,” says Peter Naigow, the Deputy Minister of Information. “It really opened things up. You can say anything now.”

What most Liberians are saying is that the Government fatally miscalculated the depth of opposition to its proposed price increase, the docility of the people and the degree of their frustration and resentment.

President William R. Tolbert sees things differently. The day after the shootings, he characterized the leaders of the demonstration as “wicked, evil and satanic men” who wanted “to bring chaos and disorder in the country with the eventual objective of overthrowing the Government.”

In an interview, President Tolbert reiterated his view that the rice issue was merely an alibi, put forth by men “whose principal idea is to change our system of government” and leaving the regime no alternative but to assert its authority. But for the first time, he acknowledged that he had authorized the security forces to fire into the crowds.

Diplomatic sources here said they viewed the demonstration as almost an inevitable consequence of the policies of President with a limited tolerance for dissent and limited economic imagination. They say that power is too concentrated in the office of the President, and that he is surrounded by too many ministers who are more interested in the perquisites of power than the welfare of the people.

They add that while he inherited a corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy when he came to office in 1971, and has worked to reduce it, corruption and inefficiency remain endemic.
+
#liberia #1980s #africa