Washington, D.C. - The spy memo allegedly written by former Liberian diplomat is causing jitters and bringing dreadful reminders of the past. Meanwhile, Liberian residents in the US and the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) are calling on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to move swiftly to address the howler.

Embattled former First Secretary at the Liberian Embassy, Christopher Nippy allegedly wrote a damning memo in which he alleged “subversive” activities, and accused certain prominent individuals, including opposition politicians as masterminds behind the purported plot against the Ellen-led government. Nippy has been recalled, but the lingering effect of his memo continues to seep into in many quarters.

However, the Liberian government quickly clarified it was not engage in any form of witch-hunting its citizen, but a young Liberian businessman, only named as Williams of Bristol, Pennsylvania believes going back to Liberia at this time, “especially when you are a politician or a critic of the government will be like taking a risk.”

What also gives credibility to the apprehension among Liberians is the government’s snail-pace approach to addressing the adverse issue. “This is business as usual,” Mike Kamara of Philadelphia told FPA Wednesday.

The first victim to suffer in the Nippy memo saga was the Press Attaché at the Liberian Embassy Samuel Abu, who has been relieved of his assignment and all diplomatic immunities cut off reportedly by Liberian Ambassador Charles Minor, who allegedly accused the media personnel of working with enemies of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration and feeding FrontPageAfrica news staff with confidential Embassy information including Nippy’s coup allegations against a number of Liberians.

Interesting, no action has been taken against the Ambassador, but his First Secretary Nippy has been recalled. Abu has declared that his life’s not safe when he returns to Liberia. Many Liberians seriously question the government’s inability to pursue the matter to make sure all those involved in the so-called spy memo are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, ULAA is upset over the memo incident and is seriously requesting explanation from the Liberian government. According to ULAA National President Emmanuel Wettee, the Union wrote a letter to President Sirleaf, expressing concerns over the notorious Nippy memo issues and other potentially devastating incidents including the tension at the Liberian Agricultural Company, (LAC) in Grand Bassa County and the arbitrary closure of a local radio station in Harbel, Margibi County on grounds of its reporting of the Firestone workers strike.

“Our concerns over these issues are yet to be addressed by the government,” he lamented in an exclusive interview with FPA Thursday evening. Wettee noted that ULAA primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of Liberians in the US, adding, “We have people in our community who have been accused of being enemies of the state. That is a serious allegation that we will not ignore.”

ULAA is troubled by government lack of action

Additionally, the ULAA Executive said the Union is “profoundly troubled” by the lack of action by the Embassy and the Government of Liberia in assuaging the concerns engendered by its communication to the government recently. He noted that the failure to address these issues may have serious implications for the interaction of “our people with the Embassy and thus undermine efforts in emboldening Diaspora Liberians to return home and contribute to the rebuilding process of Liberia.”

He agreed that these incidents, especially the communication allegedly written by former First Secretary Nippy, is causing anxiety among Liberians and at the same time reminding them of past. “We have seen past governments doing the same thing when they used to falsely accused people they perceived as enemies. We can not have the same thing repeating itself.”

Independent Commission of Inquiry suggested

The ULAA Chief Executive assures the Liberian administration that the Union would remain committed to securing a resolution of the crisis at LAC, but is anxiously await a quick response on the role the Union could play in this regards.  “We also, requested, relative to the alleged Nippy’s communication, that an Independent Commission of Inquiry which must include representatives of civic and religious groups, including the Union be constituted to probe the matter,” Wettee disclosed.

On reports that some Liberian organizations, including ULAA were planning a massive demonstration in response to the spy memo saga, Wettee said while the options were still open for such activity to take place, the Union will pursue dialogue as a surest way to shun any form of negative confrontation. “ULAA is still awaiting an official response from the government, but until our concerns are addressed in writing, we are open to all options,” he stressed.

The ULAA Executive was however optimistic that the government would respond very soon to its letter. “We are getting good signal that they (government) would respond to our concerns soon,” he said, and reiterated that ULAA is under obligation to protect “our people here. So we will continue to engage the government positively.”

ULAA supports DC Town hall meeting

Wettee disclosed that ULAA is in support of the planned town hall meeting organized by the Liberian community Association in the DC metro area, which will feature Ambassador Minor and some Liberian government officials as they engage concerned Liberians from across the country. Wettee plans to be there and is expected to deliver a key statement. “ULAA is in support of President Boniface Satu and the community in Maryland/DC town hall meeting initiatives to be held on January 20th.”

He underscores the importance of the meeting, saying the need for Liberians to regain trust in their government and the Embassy in the post-spy memo saga is crucial. According to Wettee, the current situation brewing between the Liberian Mission and the Liberians has in no way soured “our relationship with the government, but we are taking these steps to ensure that our government is being fair with us.”

“If we get good security in place and we believe in our government, we can work together fine. We think the aftermath of this incident will yield fruitful result for all involved,” Wettee observed. He disclosed that discussions about pending joint projects with the Embassy, including immigration are being held back due to this current situation.

“We can not discuss any further thing, because this incident has superseded all other project discussions. It has impacted our chapter in the DC area and our people across the country. This is a serious issue that must be addressed. We have some of our people on the so-called enemy list.”