By Fofee

jarbefofee@gmail.com

Monrovia, Liberia- Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf didn’t get her way easily when she was interviewed by world class Political Commentator, Author and Journalist, Mehdi Raza Hasan of Aljazeera English – Upfront program.

Mehdi Hasan who appeared fearless in the interview with madam Sirleaf asked the former president questions relating to corruptions and the TRC Reports.

When she was asked to explain why, after pledging in 2005 to tackle corruption, her government failed to take any action against some 20 ministers accused of corruption by an independent watchdog, Sirleaf said it was “because our system is like that”.”If you want to really understand Liberia, you need to dig a little bit deeper. You need to understand our culture, our values, our systems and the way to tackle it. It’s not always to just make a whole lot of noise about it,” she added.

When Mehdi Hasan began to dig further by asking her why she appointed family members, including one of her sons, to top government positions, she said it was because she needed a “specialised skill” but never mentioned that ‘Specialized Skills’.

Here is link to watch the interview: https//www.facebook.com/1451541335154532/posts/2019301858378474/?sfnsn=mo

She denied accusations that her son Robert Sirleaf was in any way implicated in the collapse of Liberia’s National Oil Company, and said her other son, Charles Sirleaf who was arrested in March, was “illegally charged” over allegations he unlawfully printed local currency worth tens of millions of dollars.

The former president also defended her record on war-crime prosecutions in Liberia. She has been criticised for ignoring recommendations put forward by Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”Truth and reconciliation has gone to the courts, it’s left the courts”. Madam Sirleaf added.