A recent Facebook post by Karishma Pelham-Raad, Assistant Minister for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has ignited widespread controversy and debate across Liberia’s social media landscape. In the post, Pelham-Raad issued a death wish to Liberians who have called her out for what they see as a double standard following the death of Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grigsby.
The Assistant Minister is clearly upset with some Liberians who have criticized her and others for their inconsistent expressions of empathy and sympathy when it comes to the loss of public officials. Back during President George Weah’s administration, whenever a public official passed away, Pelham-Raad and her allies in the opposition would accuse the Weah government of foul play, often without any proof. They would even go so far as to mock the deceased and show little compassion for the grieving families. Now, however, they are urging Liberians to mourn and to avoid politicizing the deaths of officials under the Joseph Boakai-led government.
Pelham-Raad’s Facebook post is a reaction to these criticisms, especially those she feels are mocking her during this difficult time. In her message, she stated, “Anyone using their platform or making comments to mock me in my time of bereavement, I pray that Death visit ur homes, the people closest to you and important to ur life, so u can experience what I continue to experience everytime in my life. May GOD have no Mercy on you and your Home A… May ur pain be more than what I feel and have felt.”
This post has ignited a fierce debate about whether such language is appropriate for a public official, with many questioning if Pelham-Raad’s words embody the compassion and empathy that we expect from our leaders. On the other hand, some have come to her defense, arguing that her words were a genuine expression of her grief and frustration.
The uproar surrounding Minister Pelham-Raad’s post unfolds against the backdrop of Grigsby’s tumultuous time as Minister of State, which was fraught with significant opposition from both the government and the legislature. Despite his wealth of experience and qualifications, Grigsby faced ongoing criticism and challenges throughout his career. Many Liberians have taken to social media, alleging that Grigsby was poisoned and abandoned by the Unity Party-led government. Gboto A. Watson wrote on Facebook: Ah Mo Ali!! Must you kill Sylvester Grimsby for his Job? You could have just removed him and spare his life. While Francis Dorris wrote: Finally, UP zealots na Killed SLYVESTER.
As the late Minister of State was fighting for his life, reports suggest that Mo Ali, the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, and Amos Tweh, the Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, were both trying to persuade President Joseph Boakai to replace Grigsby. On May 21, 2024, Front Page Africa published a commentary that shed light on the threats against Grigsby’s life. Over the last three months, Grigsby has faced fierce opposition from different forces within the government. He has come under a string of blistering criticisms from some adversaries who have vowed never to sheathe their swords until they see the head of Grigsby roll in the platter. The core motivation for these cascading criticisms targeted at Grigsby is the fact that some within the very Executive Mansion do not want him occupying the post. At the same time, there are some at the legislature who are hellbent on pestering the President to remove his Minister of State because, according to them, he is unfit for the job. How can a man with such unparalleled depth of experience in public service and who served in similar roles and performed with exemplary distinctions be unfit for the job now? It is sheer absurdity for anyone to argue with a straight face that Grigsby is unfit for the job. The man unarguably possesses a towering pedigree that speaks for itself, to argue otherwise is inconceivable. The commentary emphasized this point.
Grigsby, a well-respected public servant with over forty years of experience, passed away after battling a long illness in the United States. His death has prompted a flood of tributes and condolences, but it has also sparked allegations of foul play and government negligence. Many Liberians have taken to social media to voice their suspicions about the circumstances surrounding Grigsby’s passing, with some even suggesting that government officials may have played a role in his death.