Nepotism or Merit? Retired Amb. Kaba’s Reappointment Sparks Controversy

By Martin K. N. Kollie, Activist

Liberia’s ongoing struggle with corruption and poor governance took another controversial turn when President Joseph Boakai recently appointed former ambassador Brahima Kaba, a retired foreign service officer, as Ambassador-Designate to Kuwait. This move has raised serious questions about the president’s commitment to reform and his tendency to recycle old, failed politicians, even at the expense of the country’s pension laws and merit-based hiring practices.

A Retirement Law Flouted

Under the 2017 Pension Law, the retirement age for Liberian public servants is set at 60, with the Civil Service Agency’s Standing Order extending this to 65 for certain roles. However, Brahima Kaba, now nearly 80, has been reappointed to an active government role, despite being retired and already receiving pension benefits. This raises an obvious concern: Why appoint a man well beyond the age of retirement when Liberia faces a dire need for new leadership and ideas? Is Kaba truly the best candidate for this position, or is this just another example of patronage politics?

Kaba, who served as Liberia’s Ambassador to Senegal during Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration and continued under George Weah, will now return to a prestigious foreign service role, effectively collecting both a pension and a salary from the government at the same time. This dual compensation has drawn criticism, especially as many younger, qualified Liberians struggle to find jobs in their own country.

Nepotism or Merit?

Disbursement Voucher from National Social Security Warfare Corperation NASSCORP representing Kaba’s first time Retirement Pension Benefits.

A closer look at Kaba’s reappointment reveals the shadow of nepotism hanging over Boakai’s decision. Kaba’s daughter, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This familial connection raises questions about whether Kaba’s appointment was based on merit or familial ties. Is it not troubling that a retired diplomat, whose health is reportedly declining, is given preference for such a prestigious post, while younger, capable Liberians are left without opportunities?

Critics argue that this is a glaring example of nepotism and political favoritism at play—an all-too-familiar pattern that has plagued Liberia’s politics for decades. The Boakai administration’s apparent disregard for merit-based appointments only reinforces the perception that political loyalty and family connections trump the needs of the country and its citizens.

A Systemic Failure of Governance:

This incident is not an isolated one. It is part of a broader pattern that undermines Liberia’s potential for growth and development. The country remains a struggling, failed state, with systemic issues like widespread poverty, unemployment, corruption, and a broken health and education system. Yet, despite these challenges, President Boakai continues to appoint the same faces from a bygone era.

Boakai’s decision to bring back a nearly 80-year-old ambassador who can barely walk symbolizes the very problem Liberia has faced for decades: the recycling of failed politicians who did little to improve the country during their tenure. Is Boakai any different from his predecessors, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, who also filled important posts with loyalists and relatives?

Rather than ushering in a new generation of leadership, Boakai’s actions suggest a continuation of the same old political games. This is the same pattern of governance that has kept Liberia trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment and mismanagement.

The Liberian People Deserve Better

Liberians deserve leaders who will prioritize the nation’s progress over personal and political interests. Boakai, who promised change during his 2023 presidential campaign, must now confront the reality that his administration is not delivering on that promise. Reappointing Brahima Kaba to the same position, despite his age and the questionable circumstances surrounding his reappointment, is a clear example of abuse of presidential power.

This action is not just a breach of Liberia’s pension laws; it is also a missed opportunity for young Liberians who are more than capable of filling these roles. Instead of empowering the youth and offering fresh ideas, Boakai has opted for the same tired faces, many of whom have already proven their inability to bring about meaningful change.

If President Boakai truly intends to lead Liberia into a new era, he must reconsider such appointments and put the country’s future before political convenience. The Liberian people deserve leaders who will act in the best interests of the nation, not in their own.

A Call to Action

To President Boakai, the message is clear: the status quo cannot continue. Liberians are tired of seeing the same old faces recycled in government positions while the country languishes in poverty and stagnation.

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