Kolubah Sumo, PhD
Old Matadi Sinkor
Monrovia, Liberia
April 30, 2025
His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Snr.
President of the Republic of Liberia
Executive Mansion
Monrovia, Liberia
Subject: A Call for Principled Neutrality and Vigilance Against Geopolitical Entanglements
Your Excellency:
I write to you with a profound sense of urgency and concern regarding the escalating geopolitical tensions in West Africa, particularly between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, and the broader implications for Liberia’s sovereignty, peace, and development. The current standoff, fueled by allegations of Ivorian support for insurgents in Burkina Faso, is not an isolated dispute but a symptom of a far more dangerous struggle—one in which global powers are vying for dominance over Africa’s political and economic future.
What makes this confrontation particularly perilous is how it mirrors Liberia’s own historical trauma. Just as global powers once used our nation as a pawn during the Cold War, they now seek to exploit regional divisions to maintain control over Africa’s resources and political trajectory. Burkina Faso’s insistence on reclaiming its sovereignty—particularly over its vast mineral wealth—has made it a target for destabilization. Meanwhile, the U.S. has intensified its military engagement in West Africa under the guise of counterterrorism, while its true objective appears to be containing Russian and Chinese influence. AFRICOM’s growing presence in the region, including its efforts to establish logistical bases in Liberia, signals that our country is being positioned as a frontline in this new struggle for hegemony.
The danger for Liberia lies in our unique vulnerability to external pressure. Our historical ties to the United States, coupled with our underdeveloped economy and fragile post-war institutions, make us susceptible to coercion disguised as “partnership.” Already, we are seeing alarming parallels to the past: just as Liberia was once used as a strategic outpost during World War II and the Cold War, we are now being courted to serve as a staging ground for American military operations. Yet history has shown that such alliances bring neither security nor prosperity—only exploitation and ruin. When Burkina Faso expelled French forces, it did so because decades of French military presence had brought neither stability nor development, only continued pillaging of its resources. Liberia must ask itself: if even France’s former colonies are rejecting this model, why should we embrace a new iteration of the same exploitation under American leadership?
We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes, especially when the stakes involve not just our sovereignty but the very survival of our people. If Liberia allows itself to be drawn into this geopolitical contest, we risk becoming both a weapon against our African brothers and a target for retaliation. The U.S. has already demonstrated in Libya, Mali, and elsewhere that its interventions create long-term chaos rather than stability. Should we permit AFRICOM to operate freely from our soil, we may face blowback in the form of armed rebellions, economic sabotage, or diplomatic isolation from nations resisting Western domination. Moreover, by aligning with one side in this new Cold War, we would betray the principles of African unity and self-determination that Liberia has long championed. Our nation’s survival depends on recognizing these dangers and charting an independent course—one that prioritizes Liberia’s sovereignty over the interests of foreign powers.
The time has come for Liberia to take a bold and unambiguous stance against becoming entangled in this new era of great-power competition. Our nation’s tragic past—marked by civil war, economic exploitation, and political manipulation—must serve as a lesson rather than a recurring nightmare. If we allow ourselves to be used as a pawn in the U.S.’s confrontation with Russia and China, we will inevitably face retaliation, economic isolation, or even another violent conflict. Your leadership, Excellency, is critical in this moment. We must declare, without hesitation, that Liberia will not be a staging ground for foreign military ambitions, nor will we sacrifice our stability for the geopolitical interests of others. The path forward demands vigilance, sovereignty, and an unshakable commitment to peace—for Liberia and for Africa as a whole. Our decision as a country should be drawn from our past experiences with the US to wit:
I. Liberia’s Painful History of Exploitation by the United States
The relationship between Liberia and the United States has never been one of equals, but rather that of a master and a pawn. From our nation’s founding as a settler colony for freed Black Americans to our modern-day economic subjugation, the U.S. has consistently treated Liberia as a tool to be used and discarded. During World War II, Liberia served as a critical strategic base for Allied forces, providing rubber and hosting key military installations that supported the war against fascism. Yet, when the war ended and Europe was rebuilt through the Marshall Plan, Liberia—despite its sacrifices—received nothing but empty promises. This pattern of exploitation continued throughout the Cold War, as Liberia was forced to align with U.S. interests against the Soviet Union, even when doing so contradicted our national sovereignty and the aspirations of our people.
The most egregious examples of U.S. betrayal came in the form of covert regime-change operations that destabilized our nation for decades. The brutal overthrow and assassination of President William R. Tolbert in 1980—a leader who dared to advocate for a more independent foreign policy—was facilitated by U.S. intelligence networks working with Samuel Doe. Just nine years later, Doe himself, once America’s favored strongman, was abandoned and left to die when he was no longer useful. The U.S. then manipulated Liberia’s civil conflict, backing warlords like Charles Taylor when it suited their interests, only to later imprison him when he became a liability. These interventions were never about democracy or liberation; they were about ensuring that Liberia remained a pliant client state, its resources and policies aligned with Washington’s whims.
Today, the mechanisms of control are more subtle but no less destructive. The U.S. exerts dominance over Liberia’s economy through predatory loans and so-called “aid” packages that come with crippling conditionalities. Our rare earth minerals—vital for modern technology—are extracted by foreign corporations with minimal benefit to our people, while our foreign policy is routinely dictated by American diplomats and NGOs. Even international judicial system has been compromised, as seen in the politically motivated trial and imprisonment of Charles Taylor, a process that exposed the hypocrisy of international “justice” when applied to African leaders who resist Western hegemony. Meanwhile, the U.S. refuses to acknowledge, let alone repay, the immense debts owed to Liberia for our historical contributions to its wars and geopolitical maneuvers.
The most insidious aspect of this relationship is how it perpetuates a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment. Every dollar of U.S. assistance is designed to bind Liberia tighter into a neocolonial framework, ensuring that we remain economically weak and politically malleable. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, for instance, was celebrated as a breakthrough, yet its funds were earmarked for projects that primarily benefited American contractors and multinational corporations. Our infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems remain in shambles because true development would empower Liberia to break free from external control. The U.S. does not want a strong, self-sufficient Liberia; it wants a compliant proxy that can be mobilized for its geopolitical battles, whether against terrorism, Russia, or China.
This history must serve as a warning as we confront the current push to turn Liberia into an AFRICOM outpost. The same nation that abandoned us during our civil war, that watched as 250,000 Liberians died and millions were displaced, now asks us to trust it with our security. The same government that orchestrated the coups against Tolbert and Doe, that manipulated our civil war, now presents itself as a benevolent partner. We cannot afford such willful amnesia. If we allow the U.S. to deepen its military presence in Liberia under the guise of “cooperation,” we are inviting a repetition of past tragedies—except this time, the consequences could be even more devastating, as we would be aligning ourselves against rising powers like Russia and China, both of whom are actively investing in Africa without the baggage of centuries of exploitation. Liberia’s future depends on breaking this cycle of subservience and charting a truly independent path.
II. The Peril of AFRICOM and Proxy Warfare in Liberia
The United States’ growing military presence in Africa through AFRICOM represents an existential threat to Liberia’s hard-won peace and sovereignty. Under the deceptive banner of “security cooperation” and “counterterrorism,” the U.S. has been systematically militarizing the continent, using African nations as pawns in its broader strategy to counter Russian and Chinese influence. Liberia, with its historical ties to Washington and strategic coastal position, is being aggressively courted as a logistical hub for AFRICOM operations. This is not partnership—it is occupation by another name. By hosting U.S. military assets, we would effectively become complicit in America’s neo-imperialist projects across West Africa, painting a target on our backs while gaining nothing of lasting value in return.
History provides dire warnings about what happens when African nations allow themselves to become staging grounds for foreign militaries. The assassination of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara in 1987—allegedly with French and Ivorian backing—demonstrates how external powers eliminate leaders who resist their domination. Disturbingly, there are long-standing rumors that Liberian mercenaries were used as proxies in this operation, just as Burkinabe fighters later participated in our own civil conflicts. This vicious cycle of proxy warfare must end. If Liberia permits AFRICOM to establish a foothold on our soil, we risk becoming both perpetrators and victims in America’s shadow wars across the region. The U.S. has shown repeatedly, from Syria to Libya, that it will instigate conflicts through local proxies, then abandon them when convenient—leaving destruction in its wake. You can see the pieces of evidence in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc
The potential consequences for Liberia are catastrophic. Serving as an AFRICOM base would make us: (1) A prime target for retaliatory attacks by groups resisting U.S. imperialism; (2) A pawn in America’s confrontation with Russia and China in Africa; and (3) Complicit in undermining the sovereignty of neighboring states. We have already seen how Ivorian territory was used to launch rebellions against Liberian governments in the past. By allowing AFRICOM operations, we would be inviting similar interventions against ourselves while betraying African solidarity. Moreover, the presence of foreign troops often leads to social ills—increased sexual violence, cultural erosion, and the suppression of domestic opposition under the guise of “counterterrorism,” as seen near U.S. bases throughout Africa.
Most alarmingly, the U.S. has demonstrated it will discard Liberia the moment our usefulness expires. During our civil war, America watched indifferently as our nation burned, intervening only belatedly when the conflict threatened regional stability. Now, the same government that abandoned us in our darkest hour asks for our trust. We must reject this dangerous hypocrisy. Liberia’s national interests demand that we prohibit all foreign military bases and refuse participation in America’s geopolitical games. Our soil must never again be used to undermine fellow African nations. True security comes from diplomacy, development, and Pan-African cooperation—not from surrendering our sovereignty to a foreign power with a proven record of betrayal.
III. Liberia Must Assert Its Sovereignty and Neutrality
The time has come for Liberia to make an uncompromising declaration of non-alignment in this dangerous geopolitical contest. We must categorically reject any foreign military presence on our soil, particularly the United States’ attempts to transform Liberia into an AFRICOM outpost. Our nation’s tragic history proves that entanglement in great power rivalries brings only destruction, not development. Liberia’s strategic position in West Africa should be leveraged for economic integration and Pan-African solidarity—not as a bargaining chip to curry favor with Washington. The government must immediately cease all negotiations regarding U.S. military access and instead invest in building genuine security partnerships within ECOWAS, where decisions are made collectively by Africans, for Africans.
This stance requires concrete policy actions. First, Liberia’s legislature should pass binding legislation prohibiting the establishment of any foreign military bases on our territory. Second, we must audit all existing security agreements with the United States and other external powers, terminating those that compromise our sovereignty. Third, our diplomatic corps needs to actively communicate this position in regional forums, making clear that Liberia will not participate in any coalition aimed at isolating Burkina Faso, Mali, or other nations asserting their independence from Western domination. These measures would demonstrate that our commitment to African unity is more than mere rhetoric—it is a matter of national survival.
Economic independence must accompany our political sovereignty. The U.S. and EU currently use aid packages and debt as instruments of control, dictating everything from our fiscal policies to our foreign relations. We must break this stranglehold by diversifying our partnerships, particularly with nations that offer development assistance without political strings attached. China’s infrastructure investments and Russia’s agricultural technology transfers, for instance, have helped several African nations reduce their dependence on Western institutions. While we should maintain trade relations with all nations, Liberia must ensure that no single foreign power gains disproportionate influence over our economy. The discovery of substantial offshore oil reserves makes this economic sovereignty even more urgent—we cannot allow these resources to be plundered as our land-based minerals have been for generations.
Ultimately, Liberia’s path to peace and prosperity lies in consistent neutrality and African solidarity. We must draw inspiration from nations like Tanzania and Ethiopia, which maintained independence during the Cold War by refusing to become client states. Our foreign policy should be guided by three principles: (1) No participation in foreign military alliances; (2) No interference in the internal affairs of other states; and (3) No tolerance for external powers using Liberian territory to destabilize the region. By adopting this posture, Liberia would regain international respect as a sovereign actor rather than a Western puppet. More importantly, we would protect our citizens from becoming cannon fodder in yet another imperialist war. The choice is clear—perpetual subjugation or dignified independence. For the sake of future generations, we must choose the latter.
IV. Learning from History to Secure Our Future
Liberia stands at a crossroads—one path leads to continued subservience to foreign powers and inevitable conflict, while the other offers the difficult but necessary journey toward true sovereignty and self-determination. The lessons of our past are written in blood: from the betrayal after World War II to the coups and civil war orchestrated by external forces, each time we have placed our trust in America and the West, we were left devastated. Today, as the U.S. pressures us to become an AFRICOM outpost in their confrontation with Russia and China, we must recognize this as history repeating itself. The consequences of compliance would be catastrophic—transforming Liberia into both a weapon against our African brothers and a target for retaliation, while the U.S. would once again watch from afar as our nation burns.
The United States has demonstrated through centuries of interaction that it views Liberia not as a partner, but as a tool to be used and discarded.
From exploiting our rubber during World War II to manipulating our politics during the Cold War, from abandoning us during our civil conflict to now pressuring us into neo-colonial military arrangements, the pattern is unmistakable. Even today, while Washington demands our cooperation against their geopolitical rivals, they offer nothing but debt traps and conditional aid in return. We must ask: where was this “partnership” when 250,000 Liberians perished in a war fueled by foreign interference? Where were these security guarantees when our presidents were being overthrown and assassinated? The bitter truth is that America protects only its own interests, and our alignment with them has brought us only ruin.
This moment demands courageous leadership that prioritizes Liberia’s long-term survival over short-term diplomatic pressures. President Boakai, your administration has the historic opportunity to break this cycle of exploitation by taking three vital steps: First, immediately rejecting all AFRICOM expansion in Liberia through an unambiguous public declaration. Second, launching a comprehensive review of all security agreements with foreign powers, revoking those that compromise our neutrality. Third, convening an emergency ECOWAS summit to propose a collective West African security framework free from great power manipulation. These actions would send a powerful message that Liberia will no longer be complicit in its own subjugation.
To my fellow Liberians, I say: our future cannot be entrusted to foreign powers that have consistently betrayed us. The path to true peace and development lies in African unity and self-reliance. Look at how Burkina Faso has reclaimed its sovereignty by expelling French forces and charting an independent course. Consider how nations like Eritrea and Zimbabwe have resisted Western domination despite immense pressure. We too must find the courage to say “no more”—no more military bases, no more puppet governments, no more economic strangulation disguised as aid. Our vast natural resources, youthful population, and strategic location could make Liberia a beacon of progress, but only if we first reclaim control of our own destiny.
The choice before us is stark but simple. Will we continue as a neo-colony, forever beholden to foreign masters who drain our wealth and destabilize our region? Or will we finally stand as a sovereign nation, respected in Africa and across the world? For the sake of our children and the honor of our ancestors who fought for independence, we must choose the latter. Let this generation be remembered as the one that broke Liberia’s chains. Let future historians write that when the world’s empires came calling once more, Liberia stood firm and said: “Not this time.” Our nation’s survival depends on it. Let us not be fooled again by empty promises. Let us stand firm, lest we once again become victims of a war that is not ours.
With the highest respect and urgency,
Kolubah Sumo, PhD
Son of the African Soil
