Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee has questioned why Liberian politicians who lose elections continue to push for a return to public office, saying there are other ways to make a living and contribute to the country.
Nobel Peace Laureate told defeated politicians to consider life and work outside government.
Gbowee raised the issue in a message she described as “Troublesome Tuesday,” directing a pointed question at politicians who have been voted out of office.
“Welcome to Troublesome Tuesday. I have a burning question for Liberian politicians. After being voted out of office, are there no other options? Why is everyone fighting to make a comeback? I want to offer free consultation on how to make it outside of politics. Jobs plenty oh. You just need to be creative..” she wrote.
Her comments have touched on an issue that has become familiar in Liberian politics: politicians who lose elections often remain active in the political arena, looking for another opportunity to return to office.
For Gbowee, that should not always be the case. She is encouraging former officials to look beyond government and consider other forms of work after leaving office.
Her message also raises questions about how Liberians view political office. For many, serving in government is seen as one of the most important routes to influence and economic opportunity.
But Gbowee is suggesting that politicians can put their experience to use elsewhere, including in business, civil society, professional work and other areas where they can still make a contribution.
Her line, “Jobs plenty oh,” was delivered in a familiar Liberian tone, but the point behind it was clear. Losing an election does not mean a person has nothing else to do.
The comments come as political competition remains strong in Liberia, where former officials and other political figures regularly seek another chance at the ballot box after leaving office.
For some voters, repeated attempts by former officials to return to government can raise questions about whether politics is being treated as public service or as a permanent career.
Gbowee’s remarks put that question directly on the table. She is asking politicians to consider whether their work and experience can have value outside an elected position.
The Nobel Peace Laureate has spent much of her public life advocating for peace, women’s rights and greater civic participation. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her nonviolent work to promote peace and the participation of women in peace-building.
