By: Desmond Gbeleh Wion
MONROVIA, Liberia – Prominent Liberian lawyer , a philanthropist also Special Assistant to Liberia’s Justice Minister, Atty. Siaffa Bahn Kemokai, ll. , has called on the newly inaugurated leadership of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) to uphold the rule of law, safeguard the organization’s independence, and transform the Federation into a national force for innovation and development.
Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration ceremony held under the theme, “Strengthening Youth Leadership for National Transformation,” Kemokai described FLY as one of Liberia’s most enduring youth institutions and challenged its new leadership to place the interests of all Liberian youth above political or personal considerations.
Using the story of an ancient Cotton Tree in a Cape Mount village as a central metaphor, Kemokai likened FLY to a tree that had weathered severe storms but survived because its wounds were carefully mended rather than allowing division to destroy it.
“A tree that splits is not a dead tree,” he told the audience. “Bind the wound, support the trunk, and give it time, and the same roots that held it for a hundred years will hold it for a hundred more.”
According to him, the Federation has similarly endured more than five decades of political transitions, civil conflict, and national reconstruction because it continues to provide young Liberians with a unified platform for leadership and civic engagement.
Kemokai acknowledged that the Federation recently experienced one of the most difficult moments in its history following a disputed leadership election that generated months of legal contestation and uncertainty.
However, he praised all parties for choosing the courts instead of violence or confrontation to settle their differences.
“We were tested, and we responded,” he declared, commending the outgoing leadership, contestants, and stakeholders for respecting the judicial process and accepting the court’s decision.
He described the peaceful resolution of the dispute as evidence that Liberian youth are capable of resolving disagreements through lawful means and said the episode should serve as an example for the nation.
The legal practitioner also challenged national authorities to fully recognize and work with the court-validated leadership of FLY, arguing that governments cannot encourage citizens to respect the rule of law while disregarding judicially recognized institutions.
“A government that asks its young people to trust the courts cannot then treat a court-validated leadership as though it does not exist,” he asserted.
Kemokai further urged officials responsible for youth affairs to serve as bridges between government and young people rather than obstacles, stressing that youth organizations must be allowed to operate independently and democratically without political interference.
Turning his attention to the newly elected leadership, he reminded them that their mandate extends beyond any political affiliation or faction.
“You were elected to serve the holistic interest of the youth of Liberia,” he said, emphasizing that every young person, regardless of county, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or economic background, must benefit from the Federation’s work.
He cautioned against allowing FLY to become an instrument of political patronage, insisting that the organization must remain an independent national institution committed to representing all Liberian youth.
Beyond advocacy, Kemokai encouraged the Federation to reposition itself as an institution of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment capable of creating opportunities rather than simply demanding them.
He lamented that despite existing for more than fifty years, FLY still lacks a permanent national headquarters, describing the situation as a collective failure that should be corrected by the current generation.
“I challenge this new leadership, and all of us gathered here, to make history together by finally giving FLY a national headquarters through creative partnerships with government, the private sector, the diaspora, and development partners,” he said.
Kemokai also referenced President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, noting that while the administration has identified youth empowerment as a national priority through various policy initiatives, implementation must remain the ultimate measure of success.
He said FLY must continue serving as an independent development partner capable of constructively engaging government while holding national leaders accountable for fulfilling commitments made to young people.
Concluding his address, Kemokai returned to the story of the Cotton Tree, urging the Federation to learn from the villagers who chose unity over division and restoration over destruction.
“The storm has passed. The crack has been bound by the law and by the patience of all who respected it. What remains is the work of the seasons,” he said.
He called on the new leadership to preserve FLY’s independence, urged government officials to become genuine partners in youth development, and encouraged Liberian youth to remain committed to peace, discipline, and the rule of law.
Kemokai ended by expressing hope that the current generation would not only preserve the Federation but also build the permanent headquarters it has awaited for more than half a century, ensuring that future generations inherit an even stronger institution dedicated to national transformation.
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